6 Reasons Blue and White is the Most Stylish Color Combo

In his new book, Beautiful: All-American Decorating and Timeless Style, interior designer Mark D. Sikes shows how to create dreamy living spaces using the classic palette.

By Mark D. Sikes

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

Blue and white offer the ideal backdrop for items in neutral colors, such as baskets, wood boxes, rattan chairs, and natural-fiber rugs. In addition to creating gentle contrast, natural materials ground blue and white as if reminding the stripes and prints that they share their hues with water, ski and clouds.

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

The sensation of being on a beach is one of complete relaxation—what better atmosphere to bring into a home? Weathered woods, distressed stones, and handmade ceramics in earthy tones like taupe, flax, and gray, are some of my favorite ways to evoke textures and hues of the beach indoors.

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

The bright turquoise pattern on the French bistro stools turns a simple white kitchen into an exciting place to be. Setting intricate patterns against a solid color or a geometric pattern can help ground them.

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

There's the nautical look of navy and white stripes, which can be used anywhere from sofas to throw pillows to wallcoverings. And then the beautiful comfort of pale blue linen, its soft, sun-bleached appearance inviting you to curl up with a good book.

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

Because the color pairing is the real theme, I lean more toward creating drama through materials and detail: mixing a block-printed bedspread with blue-and-white paisley throw pillows and a striped rug in a bedroom, for instance. Stunning in their simplicity, but as comfortable as a pair of jeans, these rooms feel both casual and inviting.

Photo: Amy Neunsinger

Color can also mingle happily in a room full of blue and white. Bright pink or purple flowers, such as delphiniums, lush green plants, or a bowl of ripe fruit can liven this staple and add a focal point to a sea of blue.

Published 09/19/2016