Southern Style: Haint Blue Porch Ceilings on the New Orleans Northshore

I’ve been asked many times, ‘What’s the color of paint people use on the outdoor porch ceilings that keeps bugs out?’  Some people living in and around New Orleans might call it Dirt Dauber Blue.  But in the Low Country region of South Carolina or Georgia, where the Gullah/Geechee community resides, the blue porch ceiling color is generally referred to as Haint Blue.

Haint Blue porch ceiling on a two bay shotgun raised cottage house in Abita Springs Historic District. The gabled front porch with decorative shingles and porch on two sides is typical of the style of Abita architecture, considered 'Louisiana North Shore' or 'Abita Style'

The Gullah/Geechee people, who are descendants of African slaves, believe using the Haint Blue color wards off evil spirits, or Haints.  Haint is a variation of the word ‘Haunt’, meaning ghost or troublesome spirit.  The cultural legend holds that a Haint could not cross through or over water, so a cerulean blue mixture of blue was applied to window frames and sills, door frames, shutters, openings, and interior ceilings of their homes.  They hoped that the blue color would confuse and trick a Haint into thinking the paint was water, and would keep them away.  At some point in time, the Haint Blue color began to be painted on porch ceilings, too.

Two bay shotgun raised cottage with Haint Blue porch ceiling and louvered shutters, located in historic Old Mandeville, Louisiana. It has a gabled front with decorative shingles and a porch on two sides, considered as 'Louisiana Northshore Style' or 'Abita Style'

Jean Baptiste Lang House, circa 1850, in historic Old Mandeville. The Anglo-Creole Cottage has a Haint Blue porch ceiling, Bevolo French Quarter style lantern light fixture, French Quarter Green shutters, and a cypress wood church pew bench with wicker chairs on the raised porch

Haint Blue porch ceiling and louvered shutters on a three bay shotgun raised cottage in Old Mandeville, LA

While growing up in south Louisiana, I hadn’t ever questioned the ‘why’ behind the blue porch ceilings on so many homes.  I’d always heard stories that blue porch ceilings prevent dirt daubers or wasps from building nests, and keep mosquitos out because the blue color tricks them by appearing to be the sky.  Maybe a long time ago that was the case.  Dating back to the early 1700’s, the Haint Blue paint mixture was made in dirt pits, dug in the yard, using limes, buttermilk, and indigo.  Since it was created by hand, Haint Blue was actually a range of colors that varied from blue-greens to periwinkle blues.  Some people think that the lime used in the blue paint mixture repelled the bugs, wasps, and mosquitos, not the color itself.  Whether or not that’s the case, the Town of Abita Springs is notorious for being a haunted town, with a ghostly house here and there, especially in the historic district.  Until a few years ago, I hadn’t heard of the phrase Haint Blue, but I’ve certainly seen a lot of blue porch ceilings around here in Abita Springs and the New Orleans Northshore.

 Two bay shotgun double raised cottage with a Haint Blue porch ceiling, located in the Abita Springs Historic District

Haint Blue porch ceiling on a restored raised Creole cottage in the Abita Springs Historic District

Haint Blue porch ceiling and horizontal slat shutters on a three bay shotgun house in the Abita Springs Historic District

Haint Blue porch ceiling on blue painted cottage in Abita Springs Historic District

Depending on which legend you believe (as a repellant for troublesome spirits or harassing bugs), Haint Blue is a welcomed porch ceiling color in the New Orleans Northshore area.  These historic houses in Old Mandeville and along the lakefront of Lake Pontchartrain reflect the cultural mixture of Spanish, French, European, and African Descent with Caribbean influences evident in the Creole Architecture of Louisiana.

 Louisiana Northshore Style railed cottage with Haint Blue porch ceiling in the historic district of Old Mandeville

 Little Flower Villa, circa 1836, on Lakeshore Drive in historic district of old Mandeville, LA. The restored Southern Creole style house has a Haint Blue porch ceiling, French Quarter Green horizontal slat shutters, and Bevolo gas lanterns.

 Raised Creole Cottage listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Old Mandeville, LA, has a Haint Blue porch ceiling, French Quarter Green shutters, and Bevolo gas lanterns

 Windhaven House, circa 1926, on Lakeshore Drive in Old Mandeville, LA, has a Haint Blue porch ceiling, French doors with transoms, and is referred to as a 'Center Hall' home

 Historic double shotgun raised cottage with Haint Blue porch ceiling, French Quarter Green shutters, and dormers on the roof, in Old Mandeville, LA

Although “Justine Plantation” was originally built in Centreville, LA, in St. Mary Parish in the early 1800’s, it was moved by barge to the lakeshore of Mandeville in 2003.  Notice the lovely shades of Haint Blue colors on the porch ceiling and handrails.  A little lagniappe about the history of this house, along with many other plantation homes, can be found in this Louisiana cookbook (AL).

Justine Plantation, originally built in Centreville, Louisiana, in St. Mary Parish during the early 1800's, was moved by barge to the New Orleans Northshore on the lakefront of Old Mandeville in 2003. The prominent dormer and neoclassic detailing were added in 1907. The Haint Blue porch ceiling color compliments the other colors of the raised Antebellum house.

And like an authentic Louisiana gumbo, a balanced blend of Creole architectural styles with blue porch ceilings can be found in nearby Covington.  Some of you might already be familiar with the Southern Living Louisiana Idea House, Bayou Bend, in TerraBella Village, a traditional neighborhood development.

 Southern Living Louisiana Idea House, Bayou Bend, in TerraBella Village has a Haint Blue porch ceiling, cypress wood front door, French Quarter Green horizontal louvered shutters, and Bevolo gas lantern.

Can’t you just imagine relaxing while sipping sweet tea or lemonade on a hot summer day on the porch beneath one of these Haint Blue ceilings?

 Contemporary home, built by J Hand Homes, with Haint Blue porch ceiling, stained antique wood front door with transom, and Bevolo French Quarter style gas lantern

 Model Home, built by C M Combs Homes, with Haint Blue porch ceiling, French Quarter Green shutters, antique brick in a herringbone pattern, and Bevolo gas lantern

 Raised cottage with Haint Blue porch ceiling in TerraBella Village, a traditional neighborhood development in Covington, Louisiana

I kept having a familiar feeling while digging a little deeper into the ‘why’ behind the blue porch ceilings, learning more about the cultural traditions of the Gullah/Geechee people of Charleston and Savannah.  It seemed to me like there was a common cultural thread not only with the French Creoles of the New Orleans Northshore area, but throughout Louisiana, and especially with the Creole community along the Cane River in Natchitoches Parish.  Melrose Plantation, along with the Cane River Creole community, was established in the late 1700’s by the freed slave Marie Therese Coin-Coin and her descendants.  Melrose Plantation was where Clementine Hunter (AL), renowned Louisiana folk artist, lived and created joyous and remarkable art depicting the life and culture of the Creole community along the Cane River.  If you look closely at her artwork, she used turquoise-lavender shades of Haint Blue paint colors on the windows, doors frames, shutters, and openings on the houses, churches, and buildings in her paintings.

 Clementine Hunter ceramic platter with pattern 'A Day at Melrose Plantation'. In this artist rendering, the famous Louisiana folk art painter captures the structures, painting doors, windows, and shutters with Haint Blue, at the historic Melrose Plantation on the Cane River

(Clementine Hunter – Ceramic Platter)

Although the cultural folklores between South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana may have parallels and similarities, the Haint Blue colors undoubtedly vary by region.  Our local Benjamin Moore dealer, Helm Paint, recommends ‘Blue Allure, 771’ to customers looking for a typical blue porch ceiling color.

 Benjamin Moore Blue Allure 771, a light Haint Blue color for a porch ceiling

Technically, there’s not a specific shade of Haint Blue if you want the historical shades used by the Gullah/Geechee communities of Charleston and Savannah during the eighteenth century.  They used whatever they had available on hand (limes, pigments, chalks) to make the watery blue colors.  And it differs by region and period.

 50 Shades of Haint Blue - a helpful round-up list of 'Haint Blue' (or, 'Dirt Dauber Blue') paint colors from various sources to select from for your home's porch ceiling

So, if you’re in search of a Haint Blue color (or ‘Dirt Dauber Blue’), for your home’s porch ceiling, here’s a helpful round-up list of 50 shades of Haint Blue paint colors from various sources for you to review and consider.  There are beautiful turquoise and aqua blues with a little green, some that are more of a true blue, and others that are a periwinkle blue with a hint of purple.

50 Shades of Haint Blue (or Dirt Dauber Blue) for Porch Ceilings:

  • Sherwin Williams, Halcyon Green, SW 6213 (aka, Vieux Carre’ French Market Blue)
  • Sherwin Williams, Watery, SW 6478
  • Sherwin Williams, Meander Blue, SW 6484
  • Sherwin Williams, Atmospheric, SW 6505
  • Sherwin Williams, Hinting Blue, SW 6519
  • Sherwin Williams, Waterscape, SW 6470
  • Sherwin Williams, Blissful Blue, SW 6527
  • Sherwin Williams, Crystal Clear, SW 6756
  • Sherwin Williams, Retiring Blue, SW 6763
  • Sherwin Williams, Bubble, SW 6770
  • Sherwin Williams, Soar, SW 6799
  • Sherwin Williams, Adrift, SW 7608
  • Sherwin Williams, Tidewater, SW 6477 (or, HGSW2317)
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, Sweet Salt Air, HGSW1337
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, Pristine Skies, HGSW2337
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, Crescent Blue, HGSW2357
  • HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, Pensive Skies, HGSW2377
  • Benjamin Moore, Palladian Blue, HC-144
  • Benjamin Moore, Yarmouth Blue, HC-150
  • Benjamin Moore, Spring Sky, 674
  • Benjamin Moore, Mystical Blue, 792
  • Benjamin Moore, Polar Sky, 1674
  • Benjamin Moore, Forget Me Not, 2049-60
  • Benjamin Moore, Arctic Blue, 2050-60
  • Benjamin Moore, Bird’s Egg, 2051-60
  • Benjamin Moore, Ocean Air, 2123-50
  • Benjamin Moore, Caribbean Mist, 2061-70
  • Benjamin Moore, White Satin, 2067-70
  • Benjamin Moore, Affinity, Constellation, AF-540
  • Farrow & Ball, Light Blue, 22
  • Farrow & Ball, Parma Gray, 27
  • Farrow & Ball, Dix Blue, 82
  • Farrow & Ball, Green Blue, 84
  • Farrow & Ball, Stone Blue, 86
  • Valspar, Grand Hotel Mackinac Blue, 5007-9A
  • Valspar, Carolina Inn Club Aqua, 5004-3B
  • Valspar, Cincinnatian Hotel Abbey, 5004-9B
  • Valspar, La Fonda Mirage, 5003-5B
  • Valspar, Tropical Bay, 5002-3C
  • Glidden, Tropical Surf, 30BG 72/069
  • Glidden, Clerestory Blue, 70BG 69/094
  • Behr, Spacious Skies, P500-1
  • Behr, Permafrost, S490-1
  • Behr, Tahitian Sky, M460-1
  • Behr, Distant Shore, S500-1
  • Behr, Clear Pond, PPU13-15
  • Behr, Millstream, PPU14-16
  • Bear, Monet, PPU15-17
  • Home Decorators Collection by Behr, Waterfall, HDC-CT-16B
  • Home Decorators Collection by Behr, Seaglass, HDC-CT-26A

I generally tell our clients that the shade of blue color that you select for a porch ceiling really depends on what looks best with the other elements and colors of your own house.  Have you painted your porch ceiling a Haint Blue color?  If so, which one did you use?  Do tell!

XO,

Trisha

Comments

  1. Charlotte says

    Interesting post with beautiful photos!

  2. My favorites are the blues with a bit of green in them making them look aqua! We don’t live in the south, but we still can’t wait to paint our farmhouse porch ceiling haint blue!

    • I really like those aqua colors, too, Meg! I’d love to know which ‘Haint Blue’ color y’all decide to go with on the porch ceiling of your farmhouse. Looking forward to seeing your pictures, too!

  3. Stephanie L says

    Thank you for the list! I took a picture of my sunroom ceiling and then used the Home Depot app “Project Color” for my ipad. It colors in with exact colors over what is in the picture. I was able to try out all of the Behr paints and now can narrow it down to probably using either Permafrost or Distant Shore. Thanks again!

    • You’re so welcome, Stephanie! Those types of apps are really useful tools, and I’m so glad that you were able to narrow your choices down from using this list of paint colors. Since the Permafrost is a little lighter color than the Distant Shore, you might want to pick up small test samples of the actual colors and paint a couple of ‘mock-up’ areas on the sunroom ceiling (like in the center area of the ceiling, and in the corners where the ceiling meets the wall). That will help you see how the colors look next to the adjacent walls, and then you can also see what they look like during the day and evening hours. I’m curious to know which color you decide to go with, too!

  4. melody young says

    Our entire porch is Behr’s Waterfall. Beautiful color.

  5. laurie kinnebrew says

    try the benjamin moore wickham gray. it’s a blue that doesn’t scream “blue”. and, of course, it has grey undertones that coordinate with today’s greys

    • Hi Laurie! I’ve found that BM’s Wickham Gray (HC-171) is a really nice neutral paint color, and have used it on several projects, too! 🙂

  6. Hi Laurie,
    Our house is an 1850 Builder’s Revival featuring multiple porches, classic, French, Medieval elements. It’s that classic intense yellow with white trim and very dark, almost black, green shutters. Our porch ceilings were stained a dark reddish brown (beadboard). Alas, due to water damage we must paint the ceilings. Which shade of Haint Blue do you recommend?

    • Hello Liz! In this area, the local Sherwin Williams company offers a collection of Vieux Carre’ colors that interpret the past of the French Quarter in New Orleans. In the collection, there is a color named ‘Gov. Nicholls St. Green’, which is also a very dark, almost black, green, and might be similar to the shutters on your house. The SW ‘French Market Blue’ (aka, Halcyon Green, SW 6213) might work with the ‘classic intense yellow’. But, since the porch ceilings were previously stained, make sure to have the painter use an appropriate primer coat before painting the porch ceilings with at least two (2) finish coats of paint. Best wishes – Trisha

  7. This post is so helpful for selecting color for porch. Love the history of the
    blue used for porches in the south. Thank you Jane

    • You’re welcome, Jane! I found the history of the blue porch ceilings absolutely fascinating, and am so happy to hear you enjoyed reading about it, too. Thanks so much! – Trisha

  8. Just finished painting our porch ceiling “Watery” from Sherwin Williams. I you are looking for something that’s light, airy and refreshing—this aqua is perfect. Painted the floor with “Composed” from Sherwin Williams and walkers in our neighborhood have been stopping to say they love the colors.

    • Hey Mari! It sounds like your porch is definitely the place to relax and enjoy, and I’m so glad to hear that your neighbors love the colors, too! 🙂

    • Hi Mary,
      What color is the rest of your house? Curious of the color that match with watery other than white.

  9. I just used SW Aviary on our porch ceiling in our under construction farm house. I love it! Thanks for the explanation of the origin of “haint blue” – that’s what I had heard, but had some online aquaintances argue that it came from “it ain’t blue” (which doesn’t really make sense, but they argued it was more an aqua than “blue”).

    • Hey Anita! Isn’t it great when you’ve found a color you absolutely love? I find the blue-green undertones of the Aviary Blue (SW 6778) give it a very fresh and airy feel, and just perfect for a porch ceiling. I’m glad to have helped with giving a little more background on the historical reference for ‘haint blue’. There sometimes is also a little confusion about the references made to the limes used long ago in the earlier paint mixtures. The limes were used from burnt (calcined) limestone material, rather than the citrus fruit from trees (I’ve come across various discussions about that as well). Who knew there’s also a little scientific ‘ghost-buster’ explanation behind the ‘haint blue’ color, too? 🙂

  10. Tacee Walker says

    Thank you!! We moved to NH not long ago. I had a sweet little farmhouse in TN and painted the ceilings of our wrap around porch ‘Birds Egg’. It was perfect!!
    This week, I had the ceiling of our gazebo painted the same. I love it. The color brings me comfort and reminds me of my great-grandmother. A little southern charm to the NE.

  11. We are getting ready to build a screened porch and I really want to paint the ceiling blue (thinking SW Sleepy Blue; the two walls of the house are SW Fawn Brindle.) However, most ceilings I see like this are flat and ours will be a gable ceiling with two skylights; size 15’x20′. Do you think that will still look okay? It will be a headboard ceiling.

    • that’s beadboard, not headboard!

      • Not to worry, Pam! I actually read it as beadboard (I just cleaned my glasses!). 😉

        • Mine is Meander Blue by Sherwin Williams. Love the color, just a hint of green to it!

          • Hey Polly! I think Sherwin Williams ‘Meander Blue’ (SW 6484) is such a lovely fresh color, too! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your selection with us. 🙂 – Trisha

    • Hi Pam! I really do like the SW 6225 ‘Sleepy Blue’ for the porch ceiling. It’s a very soothing color. With the gable ceiling, there will more than likely be shadow areas where the color will appear a little darker, but that’s not a bad thing at all. The texture of the beadboard ceiling with that color should be fine. And, I like the SW 7640 ‘Fawn Brindle’ color for the walls, too. It’s a really nice gray with subtle green undertones, and works well with the cool undertones of the Sleepy Blue. If you haven’t already selected a paint color for the trim, you might consider the SW 7541 ‘Grecian Ivory’ as an option. Good luck, and let me know how things work out for you! 🙂

  12. They used lime (calcium carbonate), not to be confused with limes (fruit). Lime (calcium carbonate) is the main component in whitewash, and is commonly known to prevent insects and fungus from eating the wood.

  13. Loved the article…My beach house exterior is painted all white with my front door in SW6479 Drizzle. I’ve been going crazy over what color of haint blue to paint my porch ceiling…do have a suggestion?

    • Hi Marilyn! I’m so glad to know you enjoyed it! I truly understand how selecting paint colors can become overwhelming sometimes. You might try SW6478 Watery (it has the same undertones as the SW6479 Drizzle), or perhaps the SW6470 Waterscape (with similar undertones) if you’re wanting to stay with Sherwin Williams paint. Here’s to enjoying that beach house! 🙂 – Trisha

  14. Loren Sharkey says

    Hi Trisha! Our house is being repainted on the outside. We are painting it the same color green with white trim. We love the colors, it just needed to be repainted. However, the porch ceiling is currently white beadboard. I would like to change it to a haint blue color but have no idea what blue color to choose that will go with our house color. Even though the color is called Photo Gray it looks green. It is PPG Porter Paints in Photo Gray #441-4. http://www.ppgporterpaints.com/color/paint-colors/photo-gray-411-4. Any haint blue color suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thank you! Loren

    • Hello Loren! I took a look at the PPG ‘Photo Gray’ #441-4 paint color, and I would consider it a warm neutral color. Although it does appear to have some green in it, I think it has a little more of a yellow-green undertone in it than a blue-green or periwinkle undertone. Before you make a final decision, and not knowing the actual color green with white trim that you’re repainting your house with, I’d also consider a couple of cooler toned colors (water or sky appearance) if you’re wanting a haint blue color. For instance, ‘Aqua Whisper #256-3’, ‘Turquoise Mist #355-3’, or ‘Big Sky #301-2’, if any of those work well with your existing house colors and the PPG Paint line is what you prefer. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

    • Edgar S Hicks says

      I live in Eufaula Alabama and used PPG 4-110 Elastomeric in 5 Gallon with these tint colors: E-1Y+12, J-20 for my wood exterior ceilings.
      For my exterior aluminum carport cover I used PPG 90-474 DTM in 1 Gallon containers with these tint colors: E-21, J-9 (DTM can be used for wood or metal)
      The PPG Color Chip is 149-2 Blue Booties
      Be sure and use a good primer for the Elastomeric (I used XM) and two coats of finish. It eliminated our paper wasp & dirt dobber nests and most of the spiders with exception to granddaddy longlegs.

      • Good to know, Edgar. Thanks! 🙂 – Trisha

        • Not relevant to paint, but daddy longlegs are actually insects, not spiders. They have only six legs, not eight like spiders! Farmers like ’em too, because they are beneficial and eat bad insects. Be kind to the daddy longlegs!

          • That’s so true, Deborah! My husband, Luke, always says to be kind to daddy longlegs, too, LOL! And, yes, they’re definitely farmers’ little friends! 😉

  15. Peggy Lester says

    Palladian Blue…just right!

  16. Hi Trisha,
    I’m going to repaint my house and I really like a color from Valspar called: Coral Gable Biltmore Mediterranean Caramel, from collection National Trust for Historic Preservation. However, at Lowe’s I been told that I can get this color but with Sherwin-Williams paint. Please help me to find a hint blue color for the ceiling of my porch from Sherwin-Williams that works with this color I like. Thank you so much.

    • Hi Stela!
      I took a look at the Valspar Paint color ‘Coral Gable Biltmore Mediterranean Caramel’, #2007-8A, from their National Trust for Historic Preservation collection. It’s a really nice mid-tone color with warm orange-yellow undertones. It’s my understanding that Valspar Paint is in discussions and a merger acquisition process with Sherwin Williams, but I’m not certain whether Sherwin Williams has finalized the ownership yet. Since Lowe’s sells paint products from both companies, I can only speculate that is why you were told that. Anyway, from my list of Haint Blue colors, I’d recommend any one of the following as an option that works with this color you like: Sherwin Williams SW6505, ‘Atmospheric’; or, HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, HGSW2377 ‘Pensive Skies’; or, Valspar 5004-9B ‘Cincinnatian Hotel Abbey’ from their National Trust for Historic Preservation collection. Paint a 2′ x 2′ mock-up test sample of each of these Haint Blue colors on your porch ceiling to confirm which one you like best. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  17. I am building a large farm house with a large wrap around porch with lots of exposed rafters. Exterior siding-SW Dover White, Shutters-SW Fired Brick (porch floor maybe BM-Revere Pewter). The rafters can be seen from the inside of the kitchen/dining/great room (SW Buttercup & Dover White trim). Rafters can also be seen from music room (mix of SW Perfect Pistacio & Envious Green). SW Meander Blue in a bedroom close by but cannot see rafters. Need a porch ceiling color that blends with all & is not overpowering due to the large amount of ceiling. We sampled Meander Blue on the ceiling. While it looks blue in the bedroom, it looks green on the porch ceiling. Thanks.

    • oops that was SW Butter UP not Buttercup

    • Hi Gail! You’re right, the Sherwin Williams ‘Meander Blue’ (SW 6484) does have an aqua/turquoise undertone, so I can understand how it might take on a green appearance outdoors. I looked at ‘Perfect Pistachio’ (HGSW1257) and ‘Envious Green’ (HGSW1256) of the HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams paint colors, along with Sherwin Williams ‘Butter Up’ (SW 6681), ‘Dover White’ (SW 6385), ‘Fired Brick’ (SW 6335), as well as Benjamin Moore ‘Revere Pewter’ (HC-172). For your porch ceiling, I’d suggest a color that has more of a true blue undertone, such as one of the following: HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams, ‘Pensive Skies’ (HGSW2377); Sherwin Williams, ‘Atmospheric’ (SW 6505); Benjamin Moore, ‘Mystical Blue’ (BM 792), or ‘Blue Allure’ (BM 771). I think any of these shades of Haint Blue will blend nicely with the other paint colors you’ve chosen. Let me know which one you end up going with. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  18. Hey Trisha, I could sure use your expertise! My painters are coming and I am floundering for the right haint blue. The entire house is Benjamin Moore Shanadoah taupe, (100% of house), french doors black Forrest green by Benjamin Moore. I need a patio ceiling blue and should I use satin, high gloss, or ultra sheen. Aura is the priciest in Ben Moore ultra sheen. I hope to hear from you. Love your article here! As many!!

    • Hey Bliss! I really like the Benjamin Moore ‘Shenandoah Taupe’ (AC-36), and Black Forest Green (PM-12), and suggest you might consider selecting either the BM ‘Bird’s Egg’ (2051-60), or BM ‘Palladian Blue’ (HC-144), in a satin sheen for the patio ceiling. Typically, I ask painters to mock up painted samples on the surfaces for final approval, so you might also ask if they would go ahead and do that for you to make a decision before painting the whole ceiling. Hope this helps, and I’m so happy that you love the post! Be on the lookout for more, because I’m getting back to blogging soon! 🙂 Thanks! – Trisha

  19. We are building a house and now I’m to the point of choosing colors. I have a large front porch and trying to figure out the best color for the porch ceiling. The shingle shake on the house is mindful grey by Sherwin Williams. Thanks so much!!

    • Hi Kim! I took a look at the Sherwin Williams ‘Mindful Gray’ (SW 7016) color for the shingle shake on the house, and noticed is has a slight green undertone, which is very appealing. Since the light reflective value (LRV) of the ‘Mindful Gray’ is 48, for some contrast, I’d suggest going with a color that has a higher LRV number for the porch ceiling. And, since you’re using a Sherwin Williams paint color on the shingle shake, I’ll stay with that manufacturer’s colors for these suggestions. Depending if you prefer a blue undertone or a green undertone to the porch ceiling color, I’m suggesting either of these colors: ‘Atmospheric’ (SW 6505), which is LRV 68, and has a more blue undertone, or ‘Meander Blue’ (SW 6484), which is LRV 67, and has more of a green undertone. Alternatively, if the porch is really deep, or is screened in, or there’s a lot of shade from nearby trees around the house, you might consider an even lighter color with a higher LRV, such as ‘Retiring Blue’ (SW 6763), which is 80. This is a nice color with a slight aqua undertone. Ask the painter to mock up paint samples for you to consider before making a final selection. Hope this helps, and let me know what you decide on, ok? Thanks! 🙂 – Trisha

  20. I love the SW Soar color for porch ceiling. I used it with white trim and Irish Cream walls ….so relaxing.

    • Hi Susan! The Sherwin Williams color ‘Soar’ (SW 6799) is a very pretty blue. And, I do like ‘Irish Cream’ (SW 7537), with its lovely golden undertone. I have a feeling your porch is a very nice place to have an afternoon cup of coffee (or tea) while reading a book! 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment! – Trisha

  21. I used sw atmospheric! Not on
    List

    • Hi Mary! I’ve always been a fan of the Sherwin Williams color ‘Atmospheric’ (SW 6505). I think it’s a very versatile shade of blue, more of a true blue that works especially well with colors having either slight green or lavender undertones. And, it can easily be used as an interior color choice, too. I’ll bet it looks great on your porch ceiling! Thanks so much for your input! 🙂 – Trisha

  22. Hey! Love the post! We are building and I’m pretty settled on SW Shoji White for the exterior paint. Do you have any suggestions for a blue that will compliment our white? I’ve seen beautiful pictures of SW Watery with Shoji White, but when I looked at the color chip, it looked a little bolder than I think I want (although I know paint can look completely different once a large section is painted…so Watery could be the one). I just don’t want it to look too bold but rather soothing and peaceful.

    • Hey Lindsay! If you’ve settled on the Sherwin Williams color ‘Shoji White’ (SW 7042) the exterior paint of your new home, and you really like the color ‘Watery’ (SW 6478), a slightly lighter shade that you might like is ‘Tidewater’ (SW 6477). A couple of other lighter shades of colors that are not too bold are ‘Meander Blue’ (SW 6484) and ‘Soar’ (SW 6799). Mock up a few paint samples so that you can make a final decision on a particular color before painting the entire porch ceiling. Hope this helps, and let me know which one you decide on, ok? Thanks! 🙂 – Trisha

  23. Janet Harrison says

    My favorite is Valspar’s Eddie Bauer (EB8-3)- Weathered Glass. It is a beautiful light dreamy blue/green!

    • Hey Janet! Since I don’t have one of Valspar’s Eddie Bauer fan decks in-house to look at the paint color ‘Weathered Glass’ (EB8-3), I tried looking it up online and found that it is listed as ‘no longer available on Lowes.com’, even though Eddie Bauer’s website indicates that it’s 192 signature colors are available exclusively at Lowe’s. So, while I was at the local Lowe’s store yesterday, I stopped in at the paint department and found that the Eddie Bauer color chips weren’t on display any longer. However, I was told they could certainly color-match the signature colors. They had an old Valspar’s Eddie Bauer Signature Colors fan deck behind the counter marked ‘for in-store use only’, so I’d asked if I might look in it for the (EB8-3) color. I’d found it in the fan deck, which is definitely as you’d described, and I can see why you consider it your favorite! I compared it to the chips on display to see if there was a similar color in the Valspar product line. I did find a similar ‘comparable’ color, although it’s not an exact match, but by my eye it’s so very close, and I would consider it a good substitute in case an Eddie Bauer fan deck is not available for someone else looking for that particular color ‘Weathered Glass’ (EB8-3). The ‘comparable’ substitute color I’d found is Valspar’s color, ‘Frosty’ (5006-9B), which is also really nice, but that Eddie Bauer color certainly has some panache to it! Thanks so much for your comment! 🙂 – Trisha

  24. denise pontillo says

    Can you tell me what color is used on the porch ceiling of the white house with the number 965 above the door? It is just what I am looking for! Thanks

    • Hey Denise! I reached out to the residential builder, J Hand Homes (http://jhandhomes.com/) to confirm the porch ceiling color of the home at 965 Beauregard Parkway in Covington, LA. I was told that it’s Benjamin Moore color ‘Paladian Blue’ (HC-144). Happy to help with your question. 🙂 – Trisha

  25. Kathleen Donoghue says

    A friend of mine with a bed and breakfast in North Carolina has shared with me your wonderful article about Haint Blue. She is deciding what color to update paint her front porch ceiling. I was in New Orleans for a week this past Fall and loved the colors of the homes especially in the Garden District. Since I am now so inspired by the color choices and the history you shared in your article, I may paint my front porch ceiling of my home in Virginia Beach a haint blue instead of the now boring white. Will keep you posted on both paint projects! Thanks again.

    • Hey Kathleen! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I sincerely appreciate your friend sharing my post with you, too! Isn’t the NOLA Garden District a mecca of colorful homes? I’m so happy that you’ve been inspired to paint your front porch ceiling a Haint Blue color! I look forward to hearing about both of your projects! 🙂 – Trisha

  26. Hi Trisha,
    I do not have a covered porch,only an open patio, however, access to the patio is by way of covered carport area. Should I paint the carport ceiling one of these blues or will it appear out of place?

    • Hey Sandra! Without seeing your covered carport area, it’s really difficult for me to say whether a blue ceiling will appear out of place. But, I’ve seen several homes throughout the New Orleans area with connected covered carports having ceilings painted blue where it looks very nice to me, like this house (albeit, without an open patio) – http://bit.ly/2wAskTp. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  27. Deborah Pellock says

    l painted mine Bubble SW and l really really like it!!

    • Hey Deborah! I’m so happy to hear that you like Sherwin Williams color ‘Bubble’ (SW 6770)! I think it’s such a lovely color. Thanks so much for sharing your selection, too! 🙂 – Trisha

  28. Stephani Satterfield says

    This list is great. I’ve seen Jetstream by Sherwin Williams on some lists. How does that fit into the haint blue palette?

    Thanks

    • Hey Stephani! Thank you so much. To me, the Sherwin Williams color ‘Jetstream’ (SW 6492) is a blue-green hue in a lighter shade with a watery turquoise undertone. I’d say fits quite nicely into the haint blue palette, too. Hope this helps, and thanks again! 🙂 – Trisha

  29. So interesting! We are preparing to paint our lowcountry Greek revival Home. It is currently a taupe base with white trim and charcoal shutters. I REALLY want an all white house, and it seems that SW Alabaster is the most recommended color. I’m leaning towards SW whales gray for shutters. What is your opinion of this combo, and what color haint Blue would blend with this combo? I’m open to any and all suggestions. We live on a heavily oak shaded lot.

    • Hey Georgia! Thank you so much, and it sounds like your home is in a lovely setting among those oak trees. In my Sherwin Williams paint color fan deck, I found the color ‘Alabaster’ (SW 7008), but I didn’t find a SW whales gray color in it (or on the SW website either). Although, in my Benjamin Moore paint fan decks, I did find a color named ‘Wales Gray’ (1585) that’s a cooler medium-tone gray with bluish-green undertones, and another color named ‘Whale Gray’ (2134-40) that’s a darker warmer gray (I’d suggest this one for shutters). There’s also a BM ‘Alabaster’ (876) that’s pretty close to the SW 7008, but still a subtle difference between them. So, staying with the Sherwin Williams color, ‘Alabaster’ (SW 7008), and working with the darker gray Benjamin Moore color, ‘Whale Gray’ (2134-40), for selecting a Haint Blue color that blends with these, I’d suggest mocking up test samples of Sherwin Williams color, ‘Soar’ (SW 6799) and Benjamin Moore color, ‘Mystical Blue’ (792) as options for a selection. And, if you really want to use the BM ‘Wales Gray’ (1585) on the shutters instead, either of these Haint Blue colors blend well with it, too. Let me know what you decide on, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  30. WE painted our 101year old farmhouse wrap around porch ceiling Behr ‘waterfall’. It is so soft and beautiful~ Now our ceiling looks so lovely that we need to scrape, prep & paint all the white columns, 11 total, and the remaining white wood work.

    • Hey Wanda! I have a feeling that the wrap around porch of your farmhouse is a lovely place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee, iced tea, or other tasty liquid refreshment, especially after all of those columns and woodwork are painted! 😉 – Trisha

  31. Trisha,

    I’m building a house on the MS Gulf Coast, the exterior color will be BM white dove. I’m looking for a very light, calm, & soothing Haint blue color (nothing bright)? Do you have any suggestions-most of my other paint selections will be SW? Haven’t decided on the shutter color yet either, leaning towards a black or brown color, any suggestions on that would be great too. Thanks!

    • Hey Colleen! If the exterior paint color on your new house will be Benjamin Moore, paint color ‘White Dove’ (OC-17), for a ‘Haint Blue’ color, you might consider either BM color ‘Mystical Blue’ (792) or Benjamin Moore, Affinity, color ‘Constellation’ (AF-540). If you’d prefer using a Sherwin Williams paint for a ‘Haint Blue’ color, either ‘Atmospheric’ (SW 6505) or ‘Soar’ (SW 6799) might be a color you’d like as options to consider. Also, if you’ll be using a Sherwin Williams paint for the exterior shutters, I’d suggest taking a look at both colors ‘Sealskin’ (SW 7675) and ‘Turkish Coffee’ (SW 6076) if you’re leaning towards a brown color, and both colors ‘Tricorn Black’ (SW 6258) and ‘Inkwell’ (SW 6992) as options if your preference is toward a black color. Let me know which options you decide on, ok? Thanks so much for your questions, and hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  32. Hi Trisha, I live in Fort Lauderdale (VERY bright sunlight here) My front and back porches can be seen from the living room, both have unpainted orangey brick similar to Glidden 37/307 Creamy Butter and dark brown aluminum trim that would be hard to paint. The living room has blue, green, and teakwood tones and is well lighted due to two walls of windows and clerestories. Can you suggest a haint blue for the ceilings of all three spaces that would bring all these disparate colors together?

    • Hey Sheila! It sounds like you’ve got a nice color palette there. I looked up the paint color you’d referenced, and I’m thinking it’s safe to presume that the orangey brick color is similar to Glidden 37/307 ‘Creamy Butterscotch’ instead? Since you’d mentioned Glidden paint, I’d recommend the color ‘Clerestory Blue’ (70BG 69/094) as an option for a ‘Haint Blue’ that would tie the three spaces together. Also, you might also consider the Home Decorators Collection by Behr, ‘Waterfall’ (HDC-CT-16B), or Behr, ‘Spacious Skies’ (P500-1) as options. Let me know which color you decide on, ok? Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  33. Susan Vance says

    Hi, Trisha:
    I have inherited an older lake house in central Texas, one part of which is elevated creating a big covered outdoor “room” underneath that leads to a downstairs apartment. I plan to use the area for gathering, lake viewing, hot tub.. I’ve just had the ceiling of that area decked and had sampled a bunch of haint blues to paint it before finding your list (several of my samples are on your list). I’m torn between BM Spring Sky and SW Watery. Exterior of house will be a medium to dark gray (maybe SW Gibraltar or Serious Gray) but you really cannot see that from this area. Apartment is being done in grays and whites, with blue/aqua accents (Crate and Barrel Cloud twill on sofa). Several family members have voted for Spring Sky because it is brighter, but there is a lot of ceiling and I fear going too bright. On the other hand, is Watery too green?
    Appreciate your thoughts. Susan

    • Hey Susan!
      I’m so glad that you found my list of Haint Blues in the huge blogosphere. I can see why you might be torn between the color by Benjamin Moore, ‘Spring Sky’ (674) and color by Sherwin-Williams, ‘Watery’ (SW 6478). I took a look at the two medium to dark gray colors by Sherwin Williams, ‘Gibraltar’ (SW 6257) and ‘Serious Gray’ (SW 6256), which are really nice grays, by the way. To me, these two gray colors have a slight blue undertone, which brings out more of the blue in the BM Spring Sky color, while they bring out more of the green undertone in the SW Watery color. The light reflectance value of the BM Spring Sky is a little higher (63.63 LVR), so it has a little more white in it, which might be why it appears brighter and appeals more to your family members, too. Being on the ceiling If you’re preferring a color with more of a blue undertone, I’m leaning toward the BM Spring Sky. With shades and shadows coming into play on the ceiling, I don’t think it will be too much brighter compared to the SW Watery. Also, if there are a lot of trees near the covered area, you might end up seeing more of the green undertone in the SW Watery color, too. Just a thought. Thanks so much for your question, and I hope this helps! – Trisha

  34. Love this post! We are planning an exterior with white trim. Haven’t decided on the exact paint for the siding, but something along the lines of aged shingles, weathered gray-look, Cape Cod style homes. I like the haint blue shades that are light, not to heavy, about an equal mix of light blue and light aqua, probably a bird’s egg shade. Would Aviary by SW fit this description?

    • Hi Cindy!
      Thank you so much, and I’m glad you enjoyed reading this post! I am in agreement with you that the Sherwin Williams color ‘Aviary Blue’ (SW 6778) fits your description, as it’s a shade that falls almost equally between their colors ‘Soar’ (SW 6799) and ‘Bubble’ (SW 6770). Thanks again, and I’d love to know what your final paint color selections end up being. 🙂 – Trisha

  35. Adrian Grau says

    Hi Trisha! We moved into our San Antonio, TX home about a year ago and we are looking to get the exterior painted. The front of the house is white brick and the back of the house and chimney is stucco (some stucco elements on the front/top floor too). We are planning to do our trim work in SW 7020 Black Fox and the stucco/siding in SW7031 Mega Greige. We are looking to do our front entry way and back porch in haint blue. The back porch is somewhat dark because it’s enclosed on three sides (it’s a very dark color right now too). However, it has very high ceilings. When all is said and done, I’m leaning towards SW6478 Watery, SW6477 Tidewater, or SW0068 Copen Blue. Have you seen the Copen Blue used for haint ceilings (I’m nervous about the gray undertones)? Does it appear too light (white) or will the blue come through on a larger surface space?

    • Hi Adrian!
      Thank you so much for your question. I’ve seen a nice photo image of an interior space with the ceiling noted as Sherwin Williams color ‘Copen Blue’ (SW 0068), but not with it used as a Haint Blue shade for an exterior porch ceiling. Although it’s a very pretty color, I’m in agreement with you about the possible gray undertones, which, to my eye, it also leans toward having a slight greenish-gray undertone. I’m thinking that the blue will come through more with the ‘Watery’ (SW 6478) color, especially if the stucco/siding is ‘Mega Greige’ (SW 7031). Hope this helps. 🙂 – Trisha

  36. Hey Trisha, We are painting our farm house Behr Silver Bullet – N520-2U with Behr Ultra Pure White trim. I am having a hard time trying to figure out the best color for the porch ceiling. Thanks so much!!

    • Hey Carol! I took a look at the Behr ‘Silver Bullet’ (N520-2U) and Behr ‘Ultra Pure White’ colors with a few shades of Haint Blue options listed and narrowed the choices down to two color selections that you might like to consider for the porch ceiling. Take a look at either the Behr ‘Permafrost’ (S490-1), or the Glidden ‘Clerestory Blue’ (70BG 69/094) colors, and if you like both of them, paint some test samples to see which one appeals to you more. Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  37. Hi Trisha,
    I’m so happy to find your post. I’m struggling to find a color for my screened porch ceiling and I’d love your advice. The walls of my porch are my home exterior SW Kings Canyon with a bright white exterior trim color on railings and trim around screened area. Any suggestions? Thank you!

    • Hey Mindy!
      I’m glad you found my post, and I took a look at the Sherwin Williams ‘Woodscapes’ solid color exterior house stain ‘King’s Canyon’ (SW 3026) that you’re using for the walls of your porch. Depending on how much light is coming into the screened area, and your preference of a darker true blue or a lighter aquamarine shade of color for your porch ceiling, I’d suggest looking at either the color ‘Adrift’ (SW 7608) or the ‘Watery’ (SW 6478) color as options to consider. If you’re planning to also use a ‘Woodscapes’ solid color stain on the porch ceiling, make sure to ask the SW rep if either of these colors can be tinted for that use. Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  38. Susan Consalvi says

    Hi Trisha,
    I’m trying to convince my husband to let me paint our porch ceiling blue. We have a lake house in NE Pennsylvania….the house has a view off the lake but does not sit directly on the lake – its more a lake/mountain view. I do not know the exterior color as the prior owner painted the siding..UGH (like a cream). We painted the porch posts Ben Moore “Charcoal Gray” – the rails are still cream…the shutters will be a darker stained board and batten and the front door the same stain…..my husband is a carpenter and thought it would be cool to add some beams on the porch as it is a ranch style house with a large porch. Suggestions on “blue” that would go with “Charcoal and cream”..

    • Hi Susan! I can only imagine that your lake/mountain view from your lake house is absolutely lovely. After taking a look through my Benjamin Moore paint fan decks, I’m presuming the “Charcoal Gray” color you’re referring to is their EXT. RM. paint color named ‘Charcoal Slate’? If so, you might like either BM ‘Caribbean Mist’ (2061-70), which leans toward a true blue color, or BM ‘Bird’s Egg’ (2051-60), which has more of a turquoise undertone. If your husband wants to have a color with more gray in it, perhaps a good compromise to use would be with either BM ‘Palladian Blue’ (HC-144) or BM ‘Yarmouth Blue’ (HC-150). Without seeing the actual ‘cream’ siding and ‘darker stain’ colors you’ve mentioned, I’ll have to suggest that you take a look at these colors and paint a few test samples to make a final decision. I’d love to know which color you and your husband choose. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  39. I’m nervous to choose my blue/green ceiling color. Our house is a pinkish brick with dark brown trex decking and dark bronze railings. The ceiling fans will be dark brown. Want blue shade for the ceiling that won’t clash with the pink toned brick. Thinking Tidewater, atmospheric, or Palladian Blue, but open to suggestions. Not sure whether to go more blue than green or do a perfect mix of the two? What would go with the pink brick and dark brown accents!?!? Help!!

    • Hey Bridget! It sounds like you’ve narrowed down your selections where all three colors would work well with the red-orange undertones that might be in the pink brick and dark brown accents you’ve mentioned. I think you’re on the right track to choose a blue/green ceiling color and go with a perfect mix of the two, which would be either Sherwin Williams color ‘Tidewater’ (SW 6477), or Benjamin Moore color ‘Palladian Blue’ (HC-144). If the porch is deep and has more shadows, I’d probably lean toward ‘Tidewater’, since it has a little higher light reflecting value (LRV 65) than the ‘Palladian Blue’, which has an LRV of 61. Since I’m not certain of the actual colors of the pink brick or dark brown accents, though, I’d suggest doing a couple of mock-up samples, just to make sure. Let me know which color you decide on, ok? Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  40. We are getting ready to stain our covered deck gray. The house is tan. Wanting to paint the ceiling blue. What Benjamin Moore coloring don you think would look best?

    • Hey Cathy! Without knowing or seeing the gray stain or tan color you’re referencing, it’s really hard to say what particular Benjamin Moore color to paint the ceiling blue that I think would look best. If you have the actual names of those colors handy, let me know what they are so I can take a look at them. In the meantime though, the BM ‘Blue Allure’ (771) is a typical blue porch ceiling color around here and considered pretty versatile, so you might consider it as an option. And, if it appeals to you, I’d suggest having a couple of mock-up test samples painted in a few spots to make sure you like it before having the entire ceiling painted. Hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  41. Growing up, my grandfather from east Tennessee always painted his porch ceiling blue. When we were young, he would call it dirt dauber blue. Later, when we were older, he started calling it haunt blue.

    • That’s interesting, Bb! I’m sure your grandfather told y’all some wonderful stories on his porch. Thanks for stopping by and sharing that, too! 🙂 – Trisha

  42. Mimi Erwin says

    Wish I’d found this article a few years ago when I was trying to decide what color to paint the ceiling on our lanai. We used SW Retiring Blue on lanai and front porch ceilings. Then used SW Bubble 50% on the ceiling area in our tray ceiling in our bedroom. Liked it so much, used it to paint the walls and ceiling in our walk-in closet and linen closet.

    • Hey Mimi! I’m glad to know you eventually came across my blog post. The blogosphere is so huge that it’s hard to be found sometimes. I like the subtle teal undertone in the color ‘Retiring Blue’ (SW 6763). It reminds me of being at the Gulf Coast beaches. And, I can imagine using 50% ‘Bubble’ (SW 6770) gave a crisp, clean feeling to the interior spaces. That sounds like a very pretty color. Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, too! 🙂 – Trisha

  43. Wow, this is such a wonderful thread. Thank you for sharing the history and all of your recommendations. This is the best discussion of haint blue, and all paint colors for that matter, I have ever read. I will be back when it is time to paint my porch ceiling. I wanted to use BM bird’s egg, but a SW consultant recommended SW tradewind. I’ll test and let you know!

    • Hey Deborah! Thank you for such a lovely compliment, and I’m so glad to know this post is helpful. The BM color ‘Bird’s Egg’ (2051-60) has a bit more greenish-blue undertone than the color ‘Tradewind’ (SW 6218), although both are such nice colors. One may appeal to you more once you test them up against the trim paint and other material colors of your porch. I’d love to know which color you decide on for your porch ceiling. I appreciate you stopping by and sharing that, too! 🙂 – Trisha

  44. Great post, wish I’d found it before heading to the SW store this morning. I had specified SW Watery on my front porch ceiling a couple of years ago, what the painter used looks more blue than the fandeck sample. We are repainting the whole house now (SW Rocky River body and SW Crewel Tan trim) and in addition to the front porch, I now have a soaring gabled-roofed back porch that is very visible from the inside living room. I’ve purchased SW Balmy. Hope it works… BTW, in southeast hot and sunny Texas.

    • Hey Deb! I’m glad to know you came across my post, and hope everything worked out with repainting your whole house. The color ‘Balmy’ (SW 6512) certainly has a more blue undertone than the color ‘Watery’ (SW 6478), which has a more green undertone. My older sister lives in southeast Texas, and it’s definitely hot and sunny there! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your nice color scheme, too! 🙂 – Trisha

  45. I love this look! We just painted our single story home Newburyport blue from BM with chantilly lace BM trim. I started out thinking Palladian blue but then I started browsing haha and now I’m lost. Any suggestions? I’m looking for a beachy, clean, classic feel.

    • Hey Kim! I’m so glad you love this look, too! I really like the paint colors, Benjamin Moore, Newburyport Blue (HC-155) and Chantilly Lace (2121-70), that you’ve painted your home. Although the BM Palladian Blue (HC-144) is a historical classic color that works well with these other two colors, for a beachy, clean, classic feel, you might also take a look at BM’s paint colors ‘Ocean Air’ (2123-50), ‘White Satin’ (2067-70), and ‘Caribbean Mist’ (2061-70). You might like a Haint Blue color with an undertone that’s either Blue/Green, Blue, or Blue/Violet to accent other elements or accents on your home. Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  46. Denise Johnsonbaugh says

    Love the post and your suggestions. I need help! I want to paint my porch ceiling a haint blue. The door will be black but the rest of the area is old/weathered/used red brick. Can’t convince the husband to paint it. Shiplap on one wall will be Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee. The porch floor will be gray. What would you suggest?

    • Hey Denise! Thank you so much for your compliment. Hopefully, your husband will consider a haint blue color for your porch ceiling. I just recently received a Kelly-Moore Paints fan deck for in-house reference use, and since you’ve selected their color ‘Swiss Coffee’ (23), take a look at the following KM paint colors that you might consider: ‘Quiet Drizzle’ (KM5068), ‘Catch the Wave’ (KM5054), ‘On Cloud Nine’ (KM5039), ‘La Paz Siesta’ (KM5025), ‘Purification’ (KM5004), ‘Reflection Pool’ (KM5010), and ‘Hazy Blue’ (KM4975). It’s difficult to suggest one color in particular since I’m unable to see the actual brick and don’t know the specific black and gray colors you’re using for the door and porch floor. But thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

  47. Bridget Braun says

    Hi, My house is a Mediterranean style, as I live in Central Florida. I love the blues I have seen on trips to Charleston, New Orleans and Savannah and wonder if I could make it work on my porch ceiling. The exterior of the house is BM Revere Pewter. Also, I need to paint the porch floor and would like a recommendation for a color that will tie things all together. Thanks and blessings to you!

    • Hey Bridget! I’ve always liked warm gray undertones of the Benjamin Moore color ‘Revere Pewter’ (HC-172). Since your house is painted with a BM paint color, these are a few combinations using their colors that you might like to consider as options for your porch ceiling and porch floor colors. Option #1 – porch ceiling: ‘Palladian Blue’ (HC-144), with porch floor: ‘Silver Spring’ (2120-50); Option #2 – porch ceiling: ‘Ocean Air’ (2123-50), with porch floor: ‘Deep Silver’ (2124-30); and, Option #3 – porch ceiling: ‘Bird’s Egg’ (2051-60), with porch floor: ‘Hearthstone’ (1601). Pick up a few samples and see if any of these suit your personal preference. Thanks for your question, and I hope this helps! 🙂 – Trisha

      • Diane Stacy says

        Trisha: I have a Circa 1894 Craftsman Cottage in St. Augustine FL and am I the midst of painting the main body Benjamin Moore: Kendall Charcoal HC 166, Front wraparound stucco porch Chelsea Gray HC-168, and a creamy yellow tone on the columns and wide window trim — Lots of neighborhood compliments so far. Next selections will be expansive L-shape porch ceiling, wooden deck flooring and front door, concrete steps & small front entrance gate leading from outside sidewalk to short inside concrete walkway
        and up front steps. That said, any color suggestions for the porch, deck flooring, front door, front concrete steps and small entrance gate is greatly appreciated. My painter is using BM colors/ paint and he’s in a big hurry to get the aforementioned colors. Looking forward to hearing from you ASAP regarding any opinions you might have. Thx! Diane

  48. Love this!!! Blue allure going up on our new portico ceilings!

    • Hi Francie! I’m so glad to hear that! BM ‘Blue Allure’ (771) is such a classic color, and I’m sure your portico ceilings are absolutely lovely! Thanks for sharing your selection with us! 🙂 – Trisha

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  1. […] Although a fashionable twist was taken to update the exterior architectural elements by painting them an antique white, the Front Porch ceiling was revived with a true to local traditional Haint Blue color! […]

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