Ever notice how the porch ceilings of many historic homes are painted blue? There certainly are a number of them in my neighborhood, including my own house.
It never occurred to me why a porch ceiling would be blue until we moved in couple of months ago and my brother asked about it. Since then I've come across a couple of theories.
One is that bees and spiders mistake the blue color of the porch for open sky and are discouraged from building nests and webs there. Another insect related theory is that around the time this tradition originally started in the 1800's, the ingredients used to make paint were toxic and that had the unintended benefit of deterring insects before they could enter a home.
Some say it is because a blue ceiling gives the impression of extended daylight as night begins to fall.
The most entertaining theory, however, originates in the South. The handmade pigment of this light blue-green color, referred to as Haint blue (Haint being an evil spirit of the dead), was formulated specifically to trick evil spirits into believing it was water. Apparently, evil spirits can't cross water and thus the home's inhabitants were protected.
Whatever the reason, we''ll keep our porch ceiling blue when we eventually paint our house. It is an easy way to stay in touch with our home's historic roots (and if it wards off evil spirits then that's an added bonus).
Here's a sample of some of the houses in my hood that have porch ceilings painted blue-green.
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Are blue porch ceilings common where you live?
Note: For more information about Haint Blue, check out these resources:
15 comments:
That is so interesting. I love learning about old homes- nearly everything was done for a specific reason (not simply decorative). I'm curious how you approached your neighbors or did you snap photos when they weren't home!
Here's "the South" checking in! Our patio and garage ceilings are painted Haint blue. Our house is only about 11 years old. The previous owner painted the ceilings a couple of years ago. For what it's worth...I'm a believer! I think the color really does reduce the number of cobwebs and dirt dobber dwellings.
I love blue porch ceilings! It might be because light blue is my favorite color though. We don't have any around here in Wisconsin. If our porch was made with a different material I'd consider painting it blue.
Apparently, I haven't been in many historic homes, because this was totally news to me. I love the various explanations, though. My favorite is the supersticious one. ;)
Very interesting post. I think the blue porch ceiling looks great.....historic homes are indeed so special and have such character!
Interesting! I'm in Minnesota and haven't noticed any blue porch ceilings. But I do have a porch ceiling that definitely needs repainting! Hmm, I'll have to throw blue into my color choices now!
How interesting you learn something new every day, I guess the insect theory makes loads of sense. I dont have a porch not many Brits do (I dont think) not where I am anyway
Beautiful porch ceilings in your neighborhood- yours included! I love hearing the different theories behind the painted ceilings. Thanks so much for sharing!
Your neighborhood looks so charming and well-maintained! It makes me want to move! Mine's shabby and a little wrong-side-of-the-tracks by comparison!
I love blue porch ceilings. I have the southern tale about the spirits. We living in SC for awhile, so it is very common. My parent's actually painted their porch ceiling blue too. I think they're beautiful.
I'm smitten with all those gorgeous front doors...I so wish we lived close to somewhere with a historic district...but no, the west is definitely not known for that! I'm curious to know about those blue ceilings!
Hi Carrie, how beautiful!! I love all of these examples!! I will be on the lookout now!
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Wow, we certainly dont have them around here. Our home was built in 1860(so thats the type of neighborhood we live in) but our ceilings are all the original wood plank color. Now I'll be looking at every porch I see looking for blue:)
Just found your blog & became your newest follower. I cant wait to see what you do with the house. Its hard to find bloggers with old homes. So many have new homes and theyre trrying to fill them with character. Ours already have the character but need updating:)
Sarah
My grandmother's home in Maryland built in 1900 has a blue ceiling! I love it and it's very common for historical houses especially by the water. Megan
First, how did I miss this post? Second, so interesting! I plan on painting our porch ceiling pale blue. Third, these are some really unintelligent evil spirits. That might work if the blue was on the porch floor, but the ceiling? Since when does water float?
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