TRUE BLUE

A firm favourite for decorating, blue is one of the most restful, mindful shades in the colour spectrum. Stylist and interiors expert Sara Bird shares how to use it in your country home

- SARA BIRD

For all its ubiquity - the sea, the sky! native blue in the UK is quite rare. There are, however, salviasa s and delphiniums in cottage gardens, the Common Blue butterfly, blue tit and jay - the latter, with its flash of brilliant blue plumage, always a precious sighting.

Natural blue dyes are extracted from a number of plant sources, with indigo producing the renowned deep and inky blue. But blue has also traditionally been derived from woad, iris, cornflower and hyacinth.

The blue lapis lazuli stone was first found in Afghanistan in 6BC, and reserved for ceremonial jewellery. And sapphires, discovered in Ancient Persia around 800BC, have long been associated with royalty there are 17 sapphires in the Imperial State Crown worn by King Charles.

But blue is a resolutely democratic colour, consistently polled as the nation's favourite hue. We're drawn instinctively to its hypnotic wellbeing benefits it has been proven to reduce heart rates and temperatures. And, of course, blue creates a relaxed feel in country decorating schemes.

HOW TO USE BLUE

Pastoral tones Blue partners well with purple, especially in the petal pairings of cottage garden borders. In decorating, using this combination warms up a cooler blue and makes a room scheme feel summery and inviting. Mirror the scenery seen outside with flowery patterns and repeats on wallpapers and fabric. These designs are particularly pretty in a bedroom on linens and cushions.