Haint Paint

I have always heard that southern porches had blue ceilings so that mosquitos would be disoriented and fly toward the blue “sky”.  But recently, I saw an article on another explanation for this tradition.  This shade of blue is called ‘haint blue’ and originally showed up on slave dwellings.  Some say this practice started in Africa to protect one’s home from evil spirits and the tradition has been a mainstay in southern culture.  This beautiful shade of blue shows up on shutters, doors, porch ceilings and even furniture.  I am contemplating painting a small side table this color and antiquing it a bit to put in my living room.