Freshen up with a classic blue and white combo

White and blue are classic partners that will bring coastal calm and ocean freshness to your home

Of all the combinations of colour, blue and white seems to be the most perennial. Used for centuries by craftsmen and artisans, it’s a classic design partnership that remains popular in the world of interiors.

Of course, nautical themed décor is the first thing to spring to mind, but this season brings a slightly more abstract take on the blue trend.

It’s more an ode to coastal shores and less ‘ship ahoy’, which, let’s face it, can get a tad tiresome and clichéd once the Irish summer shows its true colours.

It’s all about layering different shades of blue and white together and playing with a diverse mix of patterned textiles.

Bold, glossy cobalts, rich indigos and vibrant turquoises teamed with pale powder blues, creamy linens and dazzling porcelain whites.

By all means include the nautical stripes but mix and match them with denim, decorative ethnic prints or the delicate botanicals that are everywhere this season even in deep underwater colours.

Try Zarahome.com where blue ocean tones, fish, coral and other marine species have inspired its new summer range.

The flora and fauna of the sea can be found in the collection’s fabrics and objects, in perfect harmony with sailor knots, ships and other nautical themes.

Elsewhere, the summer collections from Next and Debenhams include gorgeous ombré-style glassware in rich sea-green and teal that look like they’ve just been dipped in the ocean.

For those daring enough, blue walls can even enhance the apparent size of room. ‘A room can be made to look much bigger with walls painted in pale, airy sky blue,’ says Gail Abbott author of Blue & White Style.

‘Use deep cobalt blue on the end walls of a long thin room and it will seem to have more balanced proportions.’ Then add a statement piece of furniture such as Global Village’s George sofa in Blakeney Blue (from €2,400) or Habitat’s bumble side table in faded green (€88, Argos.ie).

Meanwhile over at Marks and Spencer, the blue and white theme features strongly alfresco. There’s pretty indigo blue picnic-ware and a stylish deck chair in a mix of blue artisanal patterns that’ll see your garden is on-trend come June.

daydreaM believing: From deep indigo to pale sky tones, there is a shade of blue to suit every room

deeply dippy: Above, large George sofa in Blakeney Blue, from €2,400; Penelope Holt stripe cushion, €56; and, right, George headboard in Blakeney Blue, from €520; Cley navy stripe throw, €180, all part of Neptune range at Global Village, KCR, Kimmage,...

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