Unfurling an all-American color scheme | Three cheers for the red, white and blue

When I bought a house, I vowed to paint its walls any color but "apartment white." Seduced by the beauty of lush jewel tones, I painted my living room a mesmerizing sapphire and the adjacent dining room a delicious ruby; the ceilings, window and door trims and wainscoting all got a coating of pearl. I adored the results.

One day a repairman dropped by. As he passed through the two rooms, he complimented their vibrant colors. "This is very pretty," he said. "But then, I like red, white and blue."

Red, white and blue?! Was he kidding? My meticulously chosen palette of sumptuous gemstone colors — ruby, pearl, sapphire — could hardly be compared to the commonplace colors of the post office. I mean, how unoriginal is that?

When I eventually bent my nose back in shape, I realized that a color scheme timeless enough to inspire Ralph Lauren, and stately enough to represent our flag and at least 25 other countries', is hardly unoriginal.

It's called classic.

The beauty of a classic, whether furniture, fabric or color, is that it can be used in any room, at any time, year after year, even as hot new trends come and go.

Using red, white and blue

If you're looking to decorate for the long haul, consider taking a cue from the red, white and blue. It's amazing how versatile these three colors can be.

For instance, red, a warm color associated with passion, vitality and inspiring spirited conversation, is a natural for dining rooms. But red's strength can overshadow other colors, so tempering its effect with white (for ceilings, casing and baseboard trims) creates a nice balance in the room. Cool reds heat with pops of blue. I like rich cobalt-blue accents and accessories to keep a room lively, interesting and not a bit postal.

Want sanctuary in a bedroom? Dress yours in calming, restful shades of blue. Choose colors that recall a beautiful azure sky or lazy days by the beach. Try soft powdery blues or ocean teals. Add mystery with stormy cerulean or steel blues, moody but gentle enough for repose. Mid-tone blues such as denim or cornflower look crisp and refreshing paired with white.

And don't be afraid to go deep: Darkest navy will wrap you in the warmth of night. To keep your room serene, stay away from cherry, tomato, apple or Valentine reds. Instead, use sophisticated pinks (blush, shell, orchid), corals, dusty rose or mauve as accents.

If white-on-white interiors speak to you, punch 'em up with hints of red and blue. Even hip, ultra-modern, pure-white spaces need color to avoid becoming cold and antiseptic (think home, not hospital!).

An oversized painting in predominant shades of red or blue makes a wonderful statement on a stark white wall. In rooms where all-white is a mix of color from snowy white to creamy ivory and beyond, reds and blues in any shade and amount can lift a room out of a monochromatic funk in no time.

There's a lot you can do with red, white and blue. Declare your independence from here-today-gone-tomorrow color schemes, and give this one a try. Hey, 26 countries can't be wrong!

Robyne L. Curry is a Seattle interior designer and freelance writer. E-mail: robyne@robynecurryinteriors.com.