Whether or not the homeowner is just giving the open-air space a face-lift, or enclosing the patio with screens or windows, a common thing for people to do is to paint the ceiling of their patio a blue color. For most homeowner, the color choice is so that it mimics the color of the sky. For other's the color selection is for practical purposes such as warding off bugs, or ghosts!
Here is a little more info on this subject and some very cool patio or porch photos for a little design inspiration.
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2794564/list?utm_source=Houzz&utm_campaign=u123&utm_medium=email&utm_content=gallery26

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Renovation Detail: The Blue Porch Ceiling
Ghostly legends spurred the Haint Blue porch ceiling trend in the South, but you can pick this color just because it’s pretty

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