With all the focus on the use of blue and white in today’s world of design, I thought it time to focus on Newport’s classic take on this beloved color combination. From marine to azure, from periwinkle to aqua, from celadon to Prussian, Mark D. Sikes was correct when he noted “the many moods that blue can evoke” — as well as the many rooms and “interior personalities” that are well served with this selection (from homes and properties in my two books, Private Newport: At Home and in the Garden and Living Newport: Houses, People, Style).

In the one stateroom of Aloha Landing boathouse, the owners can enjoy the comforts of being on land, while still hearing the waves lap against the house.

Referencing the original bath at Berkeley House, modernized with salvaged and re-purposed fixtures, new creature comforts include a towel warmer.

While custom-designed shutters repeat the horizontal motif in the wallpaper.

A sense of welcome and comfort is established in the entry hall at Ocean View, even before guests start up the stairs to the family quarters.

The well-organized butler’s pantry at Seaweed, in close proximity to all entertaining spaces on the first floor, includes glass-fronted cabinets so that all necessities are in view.

At the “dining” end of the great room at Hopelands, over a small fireplace, is a charming portrait of the owner’s uncle.

Violet-blue irises from the garden at Parterre, set off in a Wedgewood vase,  are a striking contrast to the celadon-painted walls.

Taking its cue from the ocean views , the master bedroom at Pelican Ledge is set off by azure blue walls.

A  devotion to detail is ever apparent at Berkeley House,  where this fabric’s scalloped border appears on the edge of the drapery as well as on the chair apron.

Adding a note of whimsy to the corner vignette at Elm Court, a Chinese blue and white jar with French ormolu mounts is placed in front of the main hall’s tall screen which depicts related porcelain.

A Newport must-have, Oakwood’s long east and south-facing veranda serves many functions — cozy conversation groupings at one end and dining at the other, leaving the room in the center for milling about and passing from pool to living room.

Seaweed’s western-facing exposure provides a potpourri of sights, from The Ledges on the left to Bailey’s Beach to High Tide on the right.

And finally…pairing blue with red (as in the music room at Oakwood) really gives it new meaning!

Featured Image Credit, Alexander Nesbitt.