8 Timeless and Classic Navy and White Interiors

A print of the Chesapeake Bay adored by the couple who owns this West River, Maryland, home led to an entire dining room of navy, white and a hint of red. Designer Carrie Miller chose grass cloth wallpaper and an indoor–outdoor rug by Surya to carry over the blues in the art. Red-and-white bistro chairs from Overstock play off the sails. The chandelier, by Made Goods, is bay-induced as well — it’s made of oyster shells. “I was surprised at how easily it all came together,” says Carrie. “That can happen when you’re working with a classic color palette.”

As traditional as navy and white can sometimes be, it has an offbeat side. “I embraced the location of this powder room in San Francisco, California,” says designer Noz Nozawa of the stencils created by decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga. Landmarks like the Giants’ baseball stadium and the Golden Gate Bridge are painted navy (Newburyport Blue by Benjamin Moore) on white walls (Oxford White by Benjamin Moore). A quartz countertop, a custom navy vanity and denim-blue tile from Fireclay ground the space. The orange ceiling (Rumba Orange by Benjamin Moore) and faucet by Vola add jolts. Also, says Noz, “It’s the color of the Giants.”

Like a favorite pair of jeans, the navy-and-white wallpaper flecked with yellow and red makes a statement yet has a comfy feel. “It was a perfect fit for the family room in a Berwyn, Pennsylvania, home, where they watch TV and play games,” says designer Stephanie Kraus. She also put in a movie-night-ready oversize Bernhardt sofa in a blue pulled from the wallpaper. The similarly large-scale light oak coffee table by Dovetail balances the rich tones and has room for all the snacks.

Despite its nautical rep, navy and white can be plenty cozy. In this sitting room in Charlestown, Rhode Island, designed by Kate Jackson, the color scheme exudes the warmth of the stone fireplace. “Navy paint on the walls and built-ins has an enveloping effect,” says Kate. (For a similar shade, try Royal Navy by Valspar.) A pair of slipper chairs upholstered in striped fabric by Raoul Textiles and several small tables form an inviting setup.