6 Chic Ways to Decorate Your Entire Home in Blue and White

The pairing is as timeless as can be, yet somehow blue and white still feels so fresh. Maybe that's why it's a go-to look for Meg Braff, designer and author of the new book The Decorated Home. This is how she makes it work...and work...and work.

What complements blue and white? Just look out the window: Nature has it figured out. "Green matches beautifully—think of trees against the sky," says Braff.

For a higher-contrast punch, Braff likes to use dashes of red. A good rule of thumb is to repeat it three times to guide the eye around the room.

When the color scheme is this pared-down, it gives you license to really play with prints. The secret is so simple: "Vary the scale and location of the prints," advises Braff. For example, the oversize floral pillows on the bed contrast so well with the skinny-striped rug on the floor.

Patterns won't make you dizzy if you partner them with simple, refined pieces like the solid-colored sofa and sleek lamps. Hanging a black-and-white photo or two also brings visual relief to the busyness of a lattice-papered wall.

"Sometimes it's nice to have a single star in a room, and here it's the tile," says Baff of this kitchen, which has a seriously impressive backsplash. When everything else is white — from the pale chairs and understated cabinetry to the plain dishes — the wall stands out all the more brilliantly.

Vibrantly painted trim, a colorful wallpaper (this is Braff's very own design, Nanking), a playfully upholstered bench — admit it, deep down you wish you could cram all of this goodness into a room in your home. And you can! Just coordinate shades so it feels cohesive and intentional.