Indigo & Haint Blue

Re-Glow Tiles from Studio Rens

When I first met with Cassandra & Chris, Cassandra told me she was inspired by a blue tile. The color of the tile was a reminder of the indigo harvested by the enslaved Gullah Geechee people and the prominence of tile in traditional Caribbean homes. We used that tile, and the color blue, as the foundation of the design for the ceremony. In our gallery you can view the Re-glow tile from the Dutch Design Research Studio, Studio Rens, a gift from me to the couple for their new journey.

Another form of blue we incorporated is haint blue, the word haint deriving from the historically complex language and dialect of the Gullah Geechee people in the low country. The color was originally created using indigo dye and was used by African slaves to paint their plantation cabins. The color, which was intended to resemble the color of water, was tied to their spiritual beliefs, brought over from Western Africa, about spirits they referred to as haints. It was believed that painting their homes with this shade of blue would confuse the spirits, who were not able to cross over water, and bar them from entering their homes. The tradition of painting porches blue originated as a means for enslaved Africans to preserve and continue their traditions in their new home. Over time, the color has become a staple and tradition of low country design.

A Vat of Indigo being processed. Photo by Gitane.