For years I have thought it would be fun to do a book on living with blue and white. From one of my first rental apartments in New York to numerous grander projects and many houses later I have consistently lived with this classic color combination.

As a young design assistant with little extra income after the rent was paid, I draped the walls in blue and white sheeting and accessorized with cheap but chic blue and white products from Azuma. Thirty years of decorating and designing later, I may now have beautiful fabrics from Europe and 18th century, porcelain, faience and Delft objects, but the fact remains that -- regardless of budget -- blue and white is one of my favorite combinations and a constant in whatever project I undertake.

In my research I learned that my passion for blue and white is universal: it is the most loved and most frequently used combination in the world. I suppose that one only has to look at how many cultures have created art and objects in blue and white to grasp how truly universal it is: French faience, Delft from the Netherlands, the Azulejos from Portugal, Chinese and Japanese porcelain. Turkey, Morocco, Greece, and ancient Persia used blue and white in so many of their decorative items. The list is long and the wealth of blue and white inspiration is unlimited.

With my numerous collections of blue and white china it is natural that many of my tables are decorated and my parties are created with the combo as the foundation. I say foundation because blue and white is a perfect complement to any color. All food and flowers shine when juxtaposed with this classic combination.

In my upcoming book (to be released in Fall of 2008) I share with you how I have lived and designed with blue and white over the years. As a prelude to the book I have added a new collection of blue and white decorative items, gifts, and tabletop that I find stylish and chic. I hope you enjoy them!

I’ve included collection of what I call “ Roehm Blue” vases in different sizes and classic shapes work with every color of flower. The mini urns are chic at every place setting.

I have always loved all colored glass but my favorite is cobalt blue. The new glass hurricanes and the Italian wine glasses mix perfectly with my early 19th century wine rincers that I use as finger, cold soup, or dessert bowls.
Don’t be afraid of mixing elements! The blue and white faience tulipier works well with reproductions of Chinese export porcelain. And t he cobalt Italian stemware anchors the mix of patterns on the china.