While on vacation in Georgia last week, we were enchanted by the gorgeous wraparound porches of the plantation style homes. We noticed, early on, that many of the ceilings had been painted various shades of sky blue and turquoise. We're absolutely smitten with the idea of bringing the sky down to the ceiling---or rather, extending the ceiling skyward! 
Even in a dreadfully hot day, sitting on the often elevated wraparound porches allows you to feel a refreshing cross-breeze. Most patios are outfitted with a full outdoor living area, complete with ceiling fans and rocking chairs. The added detail of painting the ceiling light blue just made us smile, as it added to the bright, airy feel of these southern balconies.
If and when we ever have a balcony we're definitely going to try to find a way to add this colorful detail to the mix. We may not get the full, two story wraparound porch, but the idea is fresh and cheery! It makes us want to sip lemonade and watch the neighborhood kids ride their bikes up and down the street.
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Not only do they look cool, they serve purpose, traditionally called called Haint Blue, I believe it's meant to keep the bugs away.
I grew up in New England and we had blue porch ceilings as well. I know the family who built my parents' house and they were not southerners. Is this really a southern American tradition?
Anyone else from the north who has/had blue ceilings?
Lovely! ATL holla!
Sciencegeek-
It seems to be a tradition in a lot of places but I think everyone's best guess is it originated in the south. Here are more New England examples and more discussion on the color and origin...
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/outdoor/blue-porch-ceilings-boston-053535
yeah, i believe they're painted sky blue to mimic the sky and it prevents wasps from building nests at the corners as they are prone to doing.
Blue porch ceilings are really pretty traditional - the use of blue was brought over by Africans who called it "Haint Blue" (Derived from Haunt) to ward off evil spirits
http://www.wilsonart.com/design/statement/viewarticle.asp?articleid=344
Definitely not just a Southern tradition--I grew up in the Northeast in and around many historic neighborhoods where blue painted porch ceilings are typical. Though usually a more subdued blue than the pics here... Either way they look great on old houses, especially those in near the water, like in Maine, Cape Cod, etc.
Haint blue really does seem to be a Southern tradition and there are a couple reasons people say it's used. One is that it keeps "haints" [i.e. haunts or evil spirits] away because the color references water which the spirits can't pass. A belief that seems to have stemmed from voodoo. The other is that it keeps bugs away, specifically they say wasps and bees won't nest in a porch where the ceiling is painted this color. I think at the time when this tradition started, there was lime in haint blue paints which repelled bugs.
I don't know if any of this is true, but I do know I haven't had wasps or bees here in New Orleans. And yes, all the places I've lived here have had Haint Blue porch ceilings. :-)
Wherever it came from, it looks gorgeous.
I love this. I see so many old porches in my small town that I think would look AMAZING with a blue ceiling. If I had a porch like that, I'd definitely paint it. (My porch ceiling is vinyl. Blech.)
i have also been told it keeps wasps from nesting in the porch ...and it sure looks nice :)
also i am a huge fan of ceiling fans on porches!
It's an East Coast thing for sure, but seems to be more prevalent in the South.
My folks live in Charleston and have the blue porch ceiling and the fans too (and don't forget the Charleston "green" paint on the rocking chairs and benches).
I grew up in the south and was told it was to keep the porches cool.
I grew up in Texas and I was always told it keeps the wasps away, but also that it keeps birds from nesting on the porch rafters - they think it's the sky.
I live in New Orleans and have seen this before, but the blue is usually much lighter.
This is not just a southern idea, I've been to many historic towns in Pennsylvania and New Jersey where this is very common. Many years ago, I was on a house tour and was informed that the reason they paint the ceilings blue is to mimic the sky.
I cast my lot with those who claim it's not just a Southern thing. Although I lived down South for over a decade, I first saw this on my very traditional Yankee family's porch roofs in New England.
Hey, so I wasn't completely wrong after all!
It was neat to read about everyone's blue ceilings.
Here's a flickr group for Haint Blue:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1018265@N21/
And there are lots of great images if you just search "blue ceiling"
I <3 flickr
we live in virginia and have a haint-blue porch ceiling. we nonetheless always have wasps nesting in the corners!
All the examples shown are big houses, but even the smallest, most modest little house might have a blue-painted porch ceiling. It's a lovely tradition, and a great way to meet your neighbors---by sharing a your can of blue paint.
Haint blue porch ceilings are one of my favorite things about living in Charleston!
This link provides an interesting backstory (from 2006) on Haint Blue and shows several examples of the color.
http://www.squidoo.com/haintblue