Perhaps the cave man wanted to decorate the cave and chose animals because they were important to their existence. Prehistoric man could have used the painting of animals on the walls of caves to document their hunting expeditions.

These primitive paints were often made from colored rocks, earth, bone, and minerals, which could be ground into powders, and mixed with egg or animal byproducts to bind the solution and make paint.

The paints used by these people were made by grinding various coloured rocks. They got red from haematite (Geru in India). Green prepared from a green coloured rock called Chalcedony. White was probably from Limestone.

Yellow: Yellow front doors are pretty uncommon, but often say a lot – you’re confident, curious, wise, humorous, and understanding. You’ll also probably spark the interest of your neighbors. White: A white front door will tell your neighbors that you’re clean, organized, simple, and serene.

Purple. “Purple doors are more popular than you might think,” says Keefe, adding that it may be because it’s an energetic color that can represent the welcoming of new opportunities.

The folklore piece refers to the concept of “haint,” a Southern variation on the word “haunt” that refers to a ghost or spirit. “Blue represented water, and apparently spirits can’t traverse water,” said O’Neill. “People would paint the ceilings, the window trim and sometimes the doors (to keep spirits away).”

The tradition is rooted in Gullah culture. Gullah folklore held that ghosts—known as “haints” (and pronounced “haunts”) in the Creole dialect—could not cross water, and because blue resembles water, ceilings were painted this color to repel evil spirits.

Across the South, the tradition of painting ceilings blue is passed down from generation to generation. There are many stories and legends as to why, and it’s not just about keeping bugs at bay. In the Deep South, a darker blue sometimes called “haint blue” is believed by some to keep away evil spirits.

Historically, light blue is the go-to porch ceiling color—and for good reason. It mimics the natural sky and makes a covered porch feel open and inviting.

Haint Blue

For a plainer profile, install tongue-and-groove flooring on your porch ceiling, then paint or stain it. Or choose a flooring made from a wood that stands up to the weather, such as teak or cedar, and either get it prefinished or leave it unfinished for a more rustic look.

Allura beadboard has the versatility to be used for a variety of outdoor home projects. Gazebo ceilings are great opportunities to put beadboard porch paneling to use. Also, carports can be beautified with this fiber cement paneling option.