How to use blue tones Almost everyone loves a shade of blue, which is no surprise considering we're surrounded with brilliant blue seas and skies. But sadly, we're left with relatively few earthly things in blue to admire, which might be why blue things abound in everything for home decor. But blue enthusiasts, do be wary -- overzealous attempts with blue can make your home seem cold and uninviting. To the rescue is decorator and designer Susan Kneller, who says decorating with blue doesn't have to be difficult. "The colour blue can be a warm and desirable colour, and most blues provide comfort levels for people," she says. Kneller shares her expertise with three shades of blue from the Pratt & Lambert line of paints (note the colours on your screen may vary slightly from the true paint colours.): 1 Pratt & Lambert paint colour number 27-26, Cerulean HazeComprised of predominately black, with red and blue, she says this warm blue is complimentary in a kitchen with yellow accents. "Cerulean Haze is so versatile that it works well in every room," she adds.2 Pratt & Lambert paint number 26-22, Blue Fog "This is a cold blue, and is best used in less travelled rooms where colour can not affect your mood or appetite, such as a bathroom or foyer," she says. Because of its cooling nature, Kneller warns this colour must be used with caution around the house.3 Pratt & Lambert paint number 26-8, Daydream The base for this colour is blue and red with no black tint. "It's a fanciful colour for a baby nursery or a child's room. You can accent it with a child's theme in any range of pastel colours," she says, but adds this bright and stimulating tone is not appropriate for spaces like a foyer. A word about lightingWhen choosing paint colour, Kneller stresses that lighting can make or break the room. "Halogen is your clearest whitest light showing the true tones of the colour. Fluorescent bulbs or tubing and chandelier bulbs will camouflage the natural tone of colour you have chosen. When choosing your colour, make sure the colour is desirable in natural light, adjusted for sunlight positioning and direction as well as extra lighting fixtures in the room. All of your hard work and your time will be lost unless you keep this in mind at all times," she says. Cool blue accessories on page 2: Take me there.Interiors with Charm is the creation of Susan Kneller's Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario based interior decorating and home renovation business. Get to know Susan at www.interiorswithcharm.com. Accessorize with blue! Accessorize with bluePainting isn't the only way to give your home a boost of blue. Any one of these items will accent your home with brilliant blues in every room in your house. 1 IKEA candles, $3.50 for 10ikea.caSprinkle these liquefying candles all over the living room, or centre them in the bathroom for a moody-blue spa experience.2 IKEA Fågelbo Corner sofa-bed with storage, $999ikea.comSofa, chaise and double bed in one. 3 Method Dish Soap, $5methodhome.comWhat's easier than decorating your kitchen with cool blue dishsoap?Method products are available online or at Shoppers Drug Mart store 4 Pottery Barn Bedside Table, US$299 eachpotterybarn.comFunctional with a nostalgic look, this worn-out blue bedside table gives a calm splash of colour to your sleeping space.5 Moda 16-Piece Dinnerware Set - Blue, $35kitchenstuffplus.comImagine a colourful salad on these striking plates, or a bowl of carrot soup. Yum! 6 Copco Vitara Tea Kettle, $24.99canada.lnt.comLeaning towards turquoise, this blue tea kettle from Linens-n-Things is a cute piece of retro kitchen flare. 7 Angela Adams Scoot Blue Area Rug, $699homedepot.caBlue circles add interest to a living room or dining room area plus therich background colour on this area rug make it work with darkfurniture.8 Williams-Sonoma Le Creuset 12-Piece Cookware Set -- Sonoma Blue, US$899williams-sonoma.comWith a cookware set this pretty from Williams-Sonoma, how would you ever stop cooking? 9 Pier 1 lamp, $50pier1.comToo cool! This artful lamp could work in either the living room or the bedroom for a bright splash turquoise blue 10 Print: "Abstrakt Blau" by Van Der, $50artgalore.caThis blue abstract print has many shades of blue for maximum effect.11 UpCountry's Homer Cubesupcountry.comAn eclectic addition to a modern living room or funky bedroom. Contact UpCountry for pricing details.