I remember when I married 25 years ago at age 10 … (just kidding), one of the mainstream home decor trends was everything blue and white. Chinoiserie, Delft pottery, toile, florals, and gingham were all the rage. I absolutely hated it! Navy, deep blues and emerald greens were “so 80’s” and the trend screamed old, traditional, and oh so stiffled to me. Fast forward to today where I’m completely shaking my head and laughing because everything that was once old is now “new” again. And guess what? I LOVE IT! Don’t worry, I won’t be donning my totally rad leg warmers or ratting my bangs into a glorious 4-inch high fluff of fabulousness, but I will be sharing how I incorporated these classic decor elements in a fresh, relaxed and updated way for spring. Welcome to my Blue and White Spring Living Room Tour!
This week I’ve teamed up with an amazing group of talented bloggers for the Spring Has Sprung Home Tour hosted by the lovely Sheila from Maison de Cinq. If you are hopping over and visiting from Remington Avenue, then let me extend an extra warm welcome to you!
Decorating with Blue and White – Mixing Old with New
When decorating with blue and white one of the easiest ways to create a cohesive look is to mix old and new items together, incorporating a variety of patterns and textures, while maintaining a simple yet strict color scheme. This is how you can mix fluid shibori patterns and bold graphic prints with classic chinoiserie, paisley and gingham.
Fresh and vibrant tropical greenery adds the accent color of green to our blue and white color palette. A blue and white ginger jar vase was the perfect vessel to hold beautiful blooms. Our local Harris Teeter grocery store is my go-to place for fresh flowers. They stock a huge selection and variety of flowers for great prices. I might have bought up every hyacinth bundle in the grocery store. White hyacinths are so pretty and last quite a long time, but I’m not a huge fan of their scent unfortunately which is quite strong. I have noticed though that other hyacinth colors have more attractive scents. Have you found the same thing?
Mr. Bun Bun, our littleLionhead bunny, enjoyed hopping around while I decorated the family room for spring. I was worried he’d try to eat my hyacinths, but he preferred trying to nibble on the moss in the little nest instead.
When decorating built-in bookcases I like the concept that less is more. These days I’m craving simplicity. I find uncluttered spaces quite calming. Simplicity doesn’t need to be boring though. Each shelf has a burst of blue, crisp white, or green balanced with a warm neutral tones like seagrass and brushed gold accents.
Decorating our family room with blue and white might be my most favorite color scheme yet! I like putting unexpected items together like this wild, spiny aloe vera plant in a fancy porcelain planter, backed with an ornate gilded mirror made from a plate charger. Isn’t it fun?
I ordered a new rug for spring for the living room and 2 new accent chairs but of course they didn’t arrive in time for this spring home tour. I have linked this West Elm rug though at the bottom of the post if you are interested in it. I’ll try to keep my Instagram stories updated for previews of the new rug and chairs when they come in. I hope you are following me on IG because I’m over there a lot these days.
Another fun update to our blue and white spring family room was the woven abaca coffee table. I painted the black base a creamy white. I think it looks so much better now and isn’t as stark.
I hope you enjoyed our Blue and White Spring Living Room Tour! Please visit all the other amazing bloggers on this tour listed below. Next on the tour is the uber-talented Jamie from So Much Better With Age!
GET THE LOOK:
(affiliate links included for your shopping convenience)
- Woven Storage Coffee Table
- Wool Area Rug
- Wood Cloche (similar)
- Blue & White Porcelain Balls
- Shibori Pillow Cover
- Navy Graphic Print Pillow Cover
- Woven Round Accent Table (simlar)
- Sectional Sofa
- Wall Paint Color – Sea Salt by SW
If you missed Tuesday’s posts:
Designthusiasm | Maison de Cinq | Home Stories A to Z
Tidbits | Ella Claire Inspired | Decor Gold Designs
Wednesday’s posts:
Craftberry Bush | Zevy Joy | CitrineLiving
Remington Avenue | Sand & Sisal | So Much Better With Age
Haha i love mrBun Bun! And boy are you so right with the circle of trends. *0’s black is in full swing too and I love it, just not on a leather sofa lol. Your collection of blue pillows and accessories popped throughout your space is beautiful. Loved your post.
Kim, everything was so pretty that I had a hard time picking an image to pin! Not gonna lie though, I miss having huge bangs!
As always, your home looks so bright and beautiful! I love that rug! I’ve been meaning to get something like that for our dining room.
I love the rug too 😀
Thanks Lucy!
Loved the tour. The only thing missing was the milk glass, or was that earlier?
Kim, I am in love with your beautiful and breezy home – and you know I LOVE your blue and white everything! You did a truly gorgeous job styling this space for Spring, it is perfect. And guess what? We also have a lionhead bunny! His name is Oscar! Mr. Bun Bun is soooo cute! How fun if they were to meet?! Happy Spring!
Oh Kim, your home is pure bliss! You created such calm and inviting space. Love it all!
Kim, your living room looks so beautiful! I love the blue and white (and like you, I used to hate it, haha!) It really looks so fresh and clean, and spring-y! And how perfect that you happen to have a bunny for your spring tour- he is absolutely adorable!
I’ve been meaning to “thin out” and simplify my builtins and now seeing yours, I’m definitely thinking I need to do it ASAP!
Thank you so much for joining us – I’m so glad to have you here!
Sheila
xo
Thank you so much Sheila! Thinning out and simplifying was a struggle because I like “stuff” but I started analyzing all the built-ins out there that I’ve pinned or admired and realized they all had HALF the crap on them that I did! HA! The good thing too is that it makes styling the shelves easier and less expensive! 😉 Thanks for hosting this tour!
Mr. Bun Bun is too sweet! Love blue and white. My living room is in navy and white. Really like your new coffee table too. Thanks for the inspiration!
Your home is so bright and airy, Kim! Such a gorgeous living room and love all your spring touches!
Hugs, Jamie
Your home never ceases to amaze me! I love how tranquil your home is! I love the stunning navy blue and white that you have chosen to use for Spring!
Keep up the wonderful posts, I always look forward to reading them!
This living room looks amazing! I already had something like that blue-green combo in mind for my own, this is a great add up on inspiration, thank you!
Thank you so much Kelly!!!