Color preference no reason to be blue

"Blue color is everlastingly appointed by the deity to be a source of delight." -- John Ruskin (1819-1900) Leading English art critic of the Victorian era, also an art patron, draughtsman and water colorist.

Blue, blue, blue. I'm so blue. And Mr. Ruskin, I can't agree with you.

This color has popped up in conversation so many times in the past few months, relative to decoration and design, that I thought it needed some exploration.

I don't like to be so definitive as to say I do or don't like something (really?), but sometime ago I admitted that I didn't like a particular color and was scolded by several readers. So, I'll just say that blue is difficult. And I don't like difficult.

In my decorating tips, one is always never to buy blue carpet. When a color like blue dominates a room, decorating around it is, well, difficult. Blue carpet, a solid blue sofa or blue curtains are all problem design components. Blue accessories are much easier to work in.

Blue is the overwhelming "favorite color," according to the website about.com. "Blue is seen as trustworthy, dependable and committed." Well, maybe, but not in the house.

While the website liked blue, saying things like it invokes rest and a calming feeling, it also delved into the different shades of blue. Not all blues are serene and sedate.

"Electric or brilliant blues become dynamic and dramatic -- an engaging color that expresses exhilaration. Some shades or the overuse of blue may come across as cold or uncaring."

This is a feeling that some may feel in contemporary settings, which can come across as cold anyway. A warmer color reduces that chill.

Blue has been called the least "gender specific" color, but parents and retailers think about blue differently. All you have to do is walk through a children's clothing department and see the definite focus on blue for little boys.

President Martin Van Buren is credited with introducing blue into the decorating scheme of the White House in 1837 and, since then, there has been a "blue room" in the White House.

Some other tidbits: Owls are the only birds that can see the color blue and mosquitoes are attracted to the color blue twice as much as to any other color. Change your mind about blue yet?

Now, having said all that, there are blue things I do like. I love the red, white and "blue," blue eyes, blue baby clothes, blue sky, blue water (outside). And I'm crazy about colors close to blue: greens, aqua, turquoise and purple, one of my favorite colors.

Colors are subjective, like most things. A lot of us really like or dislike them based on personal perceptions.

About.com has some other interesting observations about blue relative to decoration and design:

n Mix the color of blue with green for a natural, watery palette.

n Add gray for understated elegance.

n Throw in a dash of blue to cool down a hot red or orange scheme.

n Grab attention with the contrast of blue and yellow.

n Dark blue or navy with white is fresh, crisp and nautical.

n Red, white and blue is a patriotic color trio for many countries, including the United States.

n Use dark blue with metallic silver accents for an elegantly rich appearance.

Blue also is a favorite color in feng shui. It ranges from gentle aqua blue to the blue-green of the ocean to the deep indigo blue of the crown chakra. In feng shui, blue is associated with the clear sky and healing, refreshing waters.

And, these words are synonymous with blue or represent various shades of the color blue: azure, baby blue, beryl, cerulean, cobalt, cornflower blue, corporate blue, cyan, indigo, midnight blue, navy, Prussian blue, robin's egg blue, royal, sapphire, sky blue, slate and steel blue.

In reality, our favorite colors may come from a sports team, a special garment or baby blanket, a memory from childhood or just because. As always, remember that there are no decorating police; you "own" your choices and if they make you happy, go for it.

And while it's not my favorite color, I found more blue than I expected in my own home. I don't expect my blue accessories to bring me money, power or healing, they are just things I like and they happen to be blue.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a design consultant, expert home stager and creator of beautiful spaces. Questions can be sent to her at creativemuse@cox.net.