From time to time I find myself saying the term "feeling blue". It's not a depressed sadness, but more a reflective subdued feeling.
I recently wondered where the term "Feeling Blue" comes from because actually Blue is one of the most beautiful colors that also touches on other lovely colors such as Lavender, Purple, and Aqua.
I'm sure there are many reasons it adopted the name associated with sadness but I rather liked the one we found...
Feeling Blue:
If you are sad and describe yourself as "feeling blue," you are using a phrase coined from a custom among many old deep water sailing ships.
I have really been giving thought to emotions colors evoke. For so long Shabby Chic was based on various shades of white. Pastel pinks, blues and green have always been my quiet accent colors. But as my self confidence has matured I have let pinks become raspberry and pastel blues become aqua.
To view more pillows, click here.
I think I will always love white more than anything else, for its purity and peace.
White creates such a statement without having to think. And in its non committal way, there is something daring about white. Even a plain white t-shirt is a quiet but strong statement. "No Frills Needed."
But then the perfect companion to the white tshirt is the faded blue jeans. Always a prioirty in my wardrobe. And I think that's why its a natural evolution for me to feel comfortable working with the palette of blues.
To witness me in my high waisted jeans, click here to go to my DVDs.
Click here to view my Denim Sectionals.
Blue is associated with calm soothing beauty. The sky and the ocean.
There is something very complete about blue, it is nearly always beautiful. It is rare to see a bad blue.
To see the entire Driftwood Bedding Collection, please click here.
Blue is compatible with greens, pinks, white, oranges, reds and yellows. Seems all colors like blue.
To view our bedding collections, please click here.
Blue blends from dark to light covering lovely colors on its way, pale blue to medium, into greys, lavender and purple, then crossing into aqua.
For more how to ideas from my Sumptuous Settings & Other Lovely Things Book, click here
Even though pink is my love, it can go fru fru very easily. Blue whether in the home, decoration, clothing, can be soft and feminine but not too sweet.
White, pink and green another day.
I love your bedding collection. I've always have found your palette to be soothing, yet nostalgic, and that's why I have always been so drawn to you line.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your videos are so beautiful I never even noticed your high waisted pants!
I have always admired your bedding collections. My husband fears the flowers. I love the soft colors. Your Driftwood bedding sings to my soul. I miss seeing new things from you pop up at Target and I'm still kicking myself for not buying some of the items I fell in love with but walked away from (not knowing I wouldn't be able to get them again). Thank you for inspiring me to use a lighter color scheme in my home for the first time ever, I'm excited about thinking outside of the box for me.
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle at the photo of your kids while they were home camped out on your couch. It looked all to familiar. When mine are home, you wouldn't even know I have a coffee table, or a couch. :) I am a pillow maker, and with all this denim you have inspired me to create something new. Thank you for your lovely post.
ReplyDeleteTeresa
Hi Rachel ~ I love your bedding...it is quite possibly like being in heaven! Love the pic with frosting all over your arm...too cute!
ReplyDeleteHugz,
Michele
Blue, my favorite color. At Christmas, my sister and I would always get matching gifts...her's would be pink and mine would be blue. In the fifties, my parents bought us "Revlon Dolls", my sister's was dressed in pink and mine was dressed in blue. One year we got matching jewelry boxes, her's was pink, mine was blue.We got matching "curler caddies", and, well, you know the rest!I have never stopped loving blue and my accent color for my white furniture in my house is blue and always will be.I love pink, it reminds me of parties and of course my sister, but blue always makes me feel calm and complete.
ReplyDeleteRachel,
ReplyDeletePlease, please, please bring back cabana stripe white blue poplin! This is my all time favorite Shabby Chic pattern, but it's almost impossible to find, even second hand.
I own bedding from the driftwood collection, as well as a cabana blue linen slipcover and pillows- can't get enough blue! Loved this post :)
Oh Rachel I think I want a bedroom in blue now!
ReplyDeleteblessings
Diane
Blue has always been a favorite of mine, along with sagey green. This was fun to read, the picture of your kids looks like my house, but with a green sectional.
ReplyDeleteI think the little blue square looks like a painting of evening sky over water, I see a little green at the bottom (just the photo?) At any rate, it's charming.
Pat
www.patriciarose-apotpourri.blogspot.com
Great post! Inspiring! I am in LoVE with Pink, I have a fully pink kitchen and sunroom (with accents of aqua and pale green)...and have been contemplating doing my dining room in some shade of pale aqua/blue. I think this post may have clinched the deal!
ReplyDeleteMy favourite colour scheme at the moment is aqua blue with faded red - it makes me so happy!
ReplyDeleteThis was a lovely post, very calm and soothing - but blue does that...
Lovely post. Lavender blue is my favourit colours when it comes to interior. Its soothing and the lavender scent is so complete with its spicy, clean and blossom smell. Have a wonderful weekend! /linnea-maria
ReplyDeleteI've just found your blog today and it's made for a wonderful morning of reading and looking. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy whole house is in the style I call "Swedish Beach house" - which means I love blue too! YOur work is simply beautiful. I blogged about a gift wrap presentation you did here: http://anadesigns.blogspot.com/2008/10/rachel-ashwell.html
ReplyDeleteWe love the same things! Anne
Well, this was certainly a wonderful perspective of blue... I had not contemplated it quite so much before. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMany blessings-
Amanda
I have never had blue in my house. I am trying to add aqua blue some where. Our home use to be all shabby chic with slip cover couches. Then we changed the look of our home. I did not follow my heart and went with more earth tones like old world. I still have my white slip cover couches and my white french doors.So now I am trying to add shabby chic back into our home it is so hard but it is so me and I miss it. I Just wanted to let you know that I have 3 of your books and my favorite one is
ReplyDeleteThe Gift of Giving, I love that book, well I love all of them but it is so nice to have some gift giving ideas that are special.
Take care,
Ginger
I love blue almost as much as pink!
ReplyDeleteand I adore soft blue and pale pink together, its my favorite combination of colors!
Blue seems to balance the pink and is the perfect compliment to it.
My home and website is full of the two colors I cant get enough of it!
wonderful post!
smiles,
Sandy
Rachael,
ReplyDeleteOnce again another splendid post! The fabric prints, homes in blue and your denim sofa were excellent. i am so glad you found comfort in all our responses to your last post. As for the high waited pants, "What were we thinking?" Our behinds, bums, look huge in them!! Have a delightful weekend and thank you for all the home inspirations you've shared with us over the years! love, ya,Lori
Hi Rachel! I loved this post,soft blues are always my favorite, they remide me of my Grandmother, she loved blue and always wore it. She looked lovely with her silver hair and pale blue eyes. If you ever visit my blog you will see my favorite treasure on my banner a blue antique chair, one day my Grandfather painted the kitchen and all the chairs this beautiful blue because she loved blue. I have one chair left that was her favorite. It's beautiful. Your Bella Blue has Always been my favorite bedding in the poplin collection. It really speaks to me and touches my heart. Thanks for the lovely Blue post, Hugs, Kimberly
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel, i have started really loving the pale blues lately, it is kind of calming in a way. I grew up by the sea and always think that its is something that gets in your blood and i think that is why i love looking at the seaside hues. Now i have to say that i love the before and after shots of your kids on the couch! That is what i call real living! I am glad you have started blogging on a regular basis as the way you write is so interesting and pictures of course always lovely too. Take care Mel xxx
ReplyDeleteAll shades of blue contain there own beauty. My favorite is light blue and aqua like the sea.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful linens.
Ciao
Hey there!! Blue Now we are Talkin!! I LOVE blue my FAV colour palete by far with pink tones coming a very close second! I even had blue on my wedding dress!!
ReplyDeleteI think the shades of blue are fresh and clean and LOVE LOVE LOVE em!!
I have one of your Bedding Covers in the Roseblossom Blue ( I think that's the one I have ekks!) and I always get many lovely compliments!!
many happy wishes for you always
mandii from Down Under (still waiting for a store by the way!! LOL)
can't believe you can come up with so many blues.. I like the explanation of 'feeling blue' I never thought about where it came from. And finally I totally understand your feeling about the first picture ;)
ReplyDeleteHi Rachael,
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a visit to California. My first stop was your Shabby Chic store in Brentwood.. I must say yes it is magical and the girls there are so sweet and helpful. Reflecting you & your store.. I also made a visit to Malabu.. Ah I am still trying to adjust being here back in Ocala Florida.. I wish we had a Shabby Chic store close to me. I do need a fix from time to time.. or I will be feeling Blue..
xooxo Laura
Feeling blue has inspired a lovely blue post. Going with the flow... my thoughts are with you Rachel.
ReplyDeletexo Roberta
I just discovered your blog.....oh happy day! I have been a huge fan for years. I own all your books and feel like I'm taking a little mini-vacation whenever I drag them out to dream through the pages.....eye candy for the soul. Though there are no shabby chic stores in MN, I was THRILLED when you launched your line at Target. I use my birthday money to buy a new sheet set practically every year.....British Rose is my fav pattern......to tie this comment to your actual post. My blue ruffled simply shabby curtains are now faded from the sun....maybe I'll have to try to dye them even brighter than the original...... LOVE SHABBY CHIC!
ReplyDeleteHi I've just found your blog. I've really enjoyed your books. I stripped back a chest of drawers on the weekend and you would have loved the colours that came out. It was has gone through a few different colour schemes blue and white being two. I've taken some photos of them. Are there any outlets in Australia that carry your lines?
ReplyDeleteRACHEL I LOVE YOUR BLOG SO WELL DONE SO VERY PERSONAL AND FULL OF SO MUCH INFORMATION
ReplyDeleteREAD THEM ALL AND THEY ARE TRULY INSPIRATIONAL
LOVED LONDON TEXAS ALL ABOUT BLUE AND ESPECIALLY THE TRIBUTE TO YOUR MUM VERY MOVING AND VERY TOUCHING THANK YOU FOR SHARING
HER WITH US
YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING AND SHABBY CHIC REFLECTS ALL YOUR TALENTS
CONGRATULATIONS
I love the blue in the bella rose print with the bouquets of pink and hints of celdon greens. It makes me happy and it is so pretty, thats why I have the duvet and shams in this print on my bed~ I love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the blue.....it's my favorite color! So serene and soothing. By the way, I make the same kind of cupcakes. LOL
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blues. Love the history of how blue used when a captain was lost at sea.. quite a gesture. Enchanting here.
ReplyDeleteAaahhh such a lovely blue post.
ReplyDeleteLove Alison x
Fabulous blues! I love blue because it's such a calming color. My youngest sister lives in CA and when I last visited we spent a lazy Sunday afternoon at the beach. I spent several hours gazing into the beautiful blue ocean..so peaceful!
ReplyDeleteHave a fabulous day!
Julie
Dear Rachel,
ReplyDeleteHi, I love your work!!! My name is Wendy and I am a single mother of three children. I was diagnosised with MS about 2 years ago. It causes my skin to be hyper-sensitive to anything that touches it. I don't know what I would do if I had not found your linens. My oldest son who is 21 painted my room pink. My king size bed is covered in layers of duvets and quilts and pillows. It is my comfort spot in a world filled with pain.
Your designs have touched me on a level that inspired me to be artistic. Everyone who sees my bedroom says that my room is the most cozy and comfortable place they have ever seen. All of your pieces bring warmth and a feeling of love to our home. It is so hard to explain the effect it has had on myself. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world. I had my son paint our guest room blue and plan to decorate it totally shabby chic.....
You are inspiritational as a women who has become a sucessful business women and single mother by following her dreams. Just wanted to share with you how your designs change peoples lives and transform a house of just four walls into a "HOME" filled with love and charcter and comfort.
Sincerely,
Wendy
Thank you for the dyeing idea!
ReplyDeleteI don't know - I thought your "high waisted" jeans looked nice on you! To be quite honest with you I'm tired of the low-slung style. I'm not one to follow the crowd anyway:)
ReplyDeleteIt is certainly interesting for me to read this post. Thanx for it. I like such themes and anything connected to this matter. I would like to read a bit more soon.
ReplyDeleteI really love the bedding collections. Really love the pics. Thank you very much! I have also one great news for you. Make a sign up on http://www.boonspace.com and get a chance to win iphone.
ReplyDeleteI loved all the pictures shared by you. The blue skies picture is so beautiful which place it is ? You bedding collection is also too good. You have good collection. I am feeling envy from you.
ReplyDeleteI recently wondered where the term "Feeling Blue" comes from because actually Blue is one of the most beautiful colors that also touches on other lovely colors such as Lavender, Purple, and Aqua.
ReplyDelete