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Two interior designers featured by Apartment Therapy argue that light blue paint can be as enduring as white, while adding more color to a room. They point to its long history in decorating and suggest using it on walls, cabinetry, trim or ceilings; their recommendations are opinions, not a guarantee that a shade will suit every home.
Two interior designers say light blue paint can be as timeless as white, making it a lasting option for people who want more color than a neutral without choosing a shade they expect to feel quickly dated. In a report published by Apartment Therapy, Charleston-based designer Grace Frederick and New York designer Ali Rieger point to blue’s history in decorating and its ability to work with a range of other colors.
Frederick told Apartment Therapy that people seeking enduring paint colors often turn to whites, creams and other neutrals, but she considers a beautiful blue just as timeless and more distinctive. She linked light blue’s appeal to natural references such as the daytime sky and, in some settings, water. That connection, she said, gives the shade a calming quality while allowing it to work across different interiors.
Rieger, founder of New York-based Rieger & Co, described blue as a color that can function both as a focal point and as a near-neutral. She said it pairs with colors including green, camel, red and orange. Her preferred light-blue paints include Benjamin Moore Blue Lace (1625) and Farrow & Ball Light Blue (No. 22). Rieger recently used Blue Lace in a bedroom with blue-and-white accents, according to the report.
Frederick recommended Sherwin-Williams Resolute Blue (SW 6507), a brighter shade than Rieger’s selections. She said it can feel cheerful without seeming overly trendy or juvenile, and described it as a match for natural textures, warm brass, antiques and blue-and-white porcelain. In a bar nook featured in the article, Frederick used the paint on cabinetry and trim.
A Colorful Alternative to Neutral Paint
The designers’ recommendations give homeowners a way to think beyond white and beige without treating a saturated color as a short-lived trend. Light blue can be used across a room or in smaller areas such as cabinetry, trim or a ceiling, so the suggestion applies to both broad paint decisions and limited accents. Pairing options cited by the designers also offer starting points for coordinating paint with existing furnishings and finishes.
There is a practical caveat: “timeless” is a design judgment, not a measurable guarantee. The report presents the views of two designers and examples from their projects; it does not establish that every light-blue shade will suit every room, light condition or buyer. Readers considering a repaint still need to judge a sample in their own space and account for how the color works with the room’s materials and furnishings.
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Blue’s Long History in Interiors
Frederick’s case for longevity is based partly on blue’s presence in decorating over time. She cited Chinese export porcelain, antique textiles, painted furniture and traditional wallpaper as examples of blue appearing in design across centuries. That history helps explain why she views the color as more than a current trend, though it does not mean every particular blue paint has the same staying power.
The article also contrasts light blue with conventional neutral choices. Frederick said the color can draw on associations with sky and water, while Rieger emphasized how it can sit between a distinct color and a neutral. Together, those arguments support the designers’ view that light blue can add visual character while still coordinating with different palettes. The report does not compare the paints through testing or sales data; its recommendations are based on professional experience and design preference.
“A beautiful blue is every bit as timeless and far more interesting.”
— Grace Frederick, Charleston-based designer
How Each Shade Works at Home
The article does not provide a universal test for whether light blue will remain appealing over time, nor does it establish that the three named paints perform the same way in different homes. A shade’s appearance can depend on the room, its light and nearby finishes, but the report gives no detailed comparison of those conditions or paint samples.
It is also unclear how widely the designers’ preferences are shared among other professionals or homeowners. The source offers two designers’ opinions and selected project examples, not survey results or broader market data. The recommendations should be read as informed suggestions rather than a consensus or promise about resale value.
Testing Paint Before Committing
For homeowners interested in the designers’ approach, the next step is to compare samples of the suggested shades in the rooms where they might be used and alongside existing finishes. The report offers several possible applications, from a full room to cabinetry, trim or a ceiling, but leaves the final choice to the homeowner’s taste and space.
No product launch, design-industry decision or follow-up study is announced in the source. The immediate development is a set of recommendations from Frederick and Rieger; whether light blue proves a lasting choice in a particular home remains a matter of personal preference and how the paint looks once applied.
Key Questions
Which light-blue paint colors did the designers recommend?
Ali Rieger named Benjamin Moore Blue Lace (1625) and Farrow & Ball Light Blue (No. 22). Grace Frederick recommended Sherwin-Williams Resolute Blue (SW 6507), a brighter shade.
Where can light blue paint be used?
The designers’ examples include a bedroom, a bar nook’s cabinetry and trim, and more general uses such as painting a room, ceiling or selected features. The source does not prescribe one placement for every home.
Why do the designers consider light blue timeless?
Frederick points to blue’s long history in objects and interiors, as well as its associations with sky and water. Rieger says it can act as both a color and a neutral and coordinate with several other colors.
Does the report prove light blue is as timeless as white?
No. The claim is the designers’ professional opinion, as reported by Apartment Therapy. The source provides examples and paint recommendations, not a study proving that light blue will remain popular or work in every setting.
Source: apartmenttherapy.com
