What is Your True Blue?

Your heart is at sea, and it pains you that your house too can't be beyond the swells. (Even necessary trips inland—to your land-locked in-laws', to a waterless work conference—tax you, as your loyalty is to the ocean.) Though your home is planted firmly on the shore, it's just as handsome and well-appointed as the trusty boat you envision yourself sailing away on. Maybe it has navy siding with bright white trim, and if it does, a coral or watermelon front door brings in the wow. Indoors, dark blue patterned fabrics look great on chairs, bar stools, and porch seating, especially those with light brown, natural wood framing. A reminder though: sea life is full of surprises, so be sure and mix in some excitement. Navy is brilliant paired with lime green or turquoise, and it's also brilliant with copper and pale, pale pink.

Hello Sunshine! Your cheerful, optimistic disposition can brighten even the stormiest day. Like turquoise, you're on everyone's most-wanted list, and you decorate your home to uplift one and all (the laughter bellowing out from your kitchen and back porch doesn't hurt either.) Speaking of, nice work painting that porch ceiling a fun shade of aqua, making your guests feel like they're lounging in Key West. And since you pride yourself in a well-stocked bar, that's a great spot for your turquoise collection of vintage barware, wall frames, or porcelain. But even the crowd-pleasing turquoise comes with a word of caution: The same way you wouldn't invite only shrinking violets to your party, you should resist playing it safe with an all-pastel palette. The more interesting its contrast color (think melon, chartreuse, olive, and lilac), the more turquoise shines like the color star it is.

You sure know how to dazzle, don't you? Every crowd needs a rock star—someone to shake up the norm, test the boundaries, put on a show—and you and your color twin teal are it. You bring the surprise, the twist, and even a bit of retro cool. For instance, basic blue doors are a dime a dozen, but a teal door? Now that's where the party's at. Paint a wall of bookcases this deep, nuanced shade to turn studious spaces like home offices or libraries into chic dens of distinction, and a sea of teal tiles in the powder room or kitchen is positively dreamy. Pairing it with light and lively shades, like peach and grapefruit, lavender, and pale yellow, is a good idea to keep it super fresh. Just be sure and gather samples of a few shades before going all in on teal fabric, paint, or tiles, as shades vary greatly. Look for a deep hue that resembles the stormy Caribbean sea.

If you had a dime for every time someone has gushed over your gracious nature, or mentioned how at-home they feel in your house, you'd be rich enough to buy that Victorian inn by the sea you've been eyeing. A warm welcome is your specialty, which is why periwinkle and its close kin (robin's egg blue, cornflower) are guest room royalty. These shades also tend to pop up as can't-miss colors for sofa throw pillows and as a soft chair cushion pattern or welting. But enough with the typecasting: too often, you and your periwinkle color match don't know your own strengths. Bring the pretty hue onto the main stage, and paint a set of wooden dining chairs this shade, or the dining table itself. The color is brilliant as a glossy tile backsplash, or even better, when paired with stronger, lively colors: energize it by pairing with peaches and oranges, darker blues like midnight, or grassy greens.

People misunderstand you all the time—you aren't as much brooding as you are pensive and particular, and not nearly as dark as you are deep. You and this highly nuanced shade of blue are like two ships passing in the night, who then turn and say, "Pssst... I get you." And then you return, steady on your way. The hidden secret to you and this super-sexy shade is that you have a glam quality about you—an ability to swank up a simple palette. A dresser or console painted midnight blue (with a lacquered finish of course, and brassy hardware) is suddenly the show-stopper, the piece de resistance. The color has a game-changing quality about it, so you'd be wise to use it on a four-poster bed, porch furniture, or in a fabulous wallpaper pattern. Just be sure to pair it with a bright shade or two, like jade, pink, or metallics, to ensure it leans more glam than gloom.

Remember the episode of Friends where Monica proclaims to Richard that she's "breezy," and the consensus among the friends is that you can't SAY you're breezy... you just are or you aren't? Well, you my friend, can say it all day long. You're breezy to the core, and nothing can rattle you as long as you can hear those waves crashing and your screen door (painted a pretty light blue) creaking open and closed. You prefer your home to be airy and bright, just like your disposition. Your walls and ceilings mirror the clear blue sky, and your dreamy blue striped dhurries feel just right underfoot. Though you are quite clear on your beach house style, here are a few ideas to keep your fresh style, well, fresh: pair it with some pretty apricot hues, watermelon, or even (gasp) a splash of midnight blue.

You're something of a blue purist, and we dare anyone to out-blue you. In fact, we dare anyone to outdo you in any respect. You've got a nautical nature, an all-American edge, and an adventuresome ocean-going spirit, all rolled into one. You can't be tied down, and certainly can't be easily linked to a single shade or beach house style. You buy what you like, but more often than not, you sift through the color selections until you get to the blues. Bright whites are always your friend, as is a keen sense of practicality, from azure patterned concrete floor tiles that can take a beating to all-weather anything (fabrics, furniture). Still, that adventurous part of you loves a challenge, so here it is: do blue differently as often as you can. Pair it with emerald or mint for a super-fresh look, or swap out any been-there-done-that entryway rugs for a chic Oushak that weaves rich blues with peaches and creams.