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Design Sponge
April 1st, 2008
wonderful white


despite all my modernist leanings- i’m just not a girl who can do white. white walls, white furniture, white accessories- it’s just not in my nature. maybe it’s a southern thing, or just a girly thing, but my decorating pendulum always swings toward warm color whenever possible. but lately i’ve been thinking about experimenting with white in a few rooms that need a bright, clean background to handle some of the other patterns that already exist in my furniture and artwork. the idea of even buying white paint seemed sacrilegious to me until i saw some of these gorgeous photo’s on zee’s site. i love the way the white walls + white floors = endless space. and when you live in a small, chopped up apartment like i do, endless space sounds fantastic. so today i’m going to browse these inspiration photos and try to get up the guts to make the first pass with the roller. want to check out some more white inspiration? click here for zee’s full post.

25 comments
virginia said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:08 am

Ralph Lauren’s “picket fence white” is my choice, and I mix my own pale green which is very similar to RL’s “beachwalk”. I have so much art work that most of my walls are white…

April 1st, 2008 - 11:13 am

The white wood flooring is very unique. Gives it that rustic cottage feel while keeping it simple and clean as well. The two middle shots would have to be my favorite. Though I’m right there with in you in always leaning toward the warm colors.

*tania said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:21 am

that’s funny, because i freak out at the thought of committing to anything BUT white walls…

Sol said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:28 am

I used to be all white. But then I found colors being much more challenging. These rooms are fab though.

kati said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:32 am

hooray for white. it’s so calming. :)

Jen said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:50 am

I love the look of white on white but I think you have to be careful about how functional it is in real life. Especially the white floor part. My dear friends painted their floors white and it looked good for a while, but it became a nightmare. Maybe someone can suggest a method that makes them more durable. Happy Hunting Grace!

J.

mollie said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:53 am

I love this! It gives me so many ideas.

Petchy said:
April 1st, 2008 - 11:59 am

I’ve recently moved into a flat with all white walls, and I love it - it still needs some work to lose that clincal feel though, but I am having fun revamping furniture and playing with fabrics, textures and artwork :)

April 1st, 2008 - 12:04 pm

It’s incredible how white walls can make just about anything work or look modern. I wish we could paint our walls white (but landlord…). You can choose a warm white, though - they are becoming my favorite shades of white, and lend a lot of life and, well, warmth to the room while still looking clean and setting off art.

Beth said:
April 1st, 2008 - 12:13 pm

White can be very challenging, but fabulous in the right situation as the above photos prove. Some things to consider - (1) Natural Light! - all white rooms that get little or no sunlight can be very dingy looking. The more natural light the better. (2) pick “warm” whites (benjamin moore white dove is great), and vary them throughout the room. In other words, different shades on walls, floor, woodwork, etc. Have fun and good luck on GMA - your going to do great!

Sea said:
April 1st, 2008 - 12:30 pm

Wow, you’re right! Those white painted floors are calling to me…

KellyR said:
April 1st, 2008 - 12:36 pm

I love ladders in the home. And white.

rena said:
April 1st, 2008 - 1:03 pm

white walls look great in a room with great sunlight. one white wall will make everything glow. can’t wait to see the results! xo

Eileen said:
April 1st, 2008 - 1:50 pm

I painted most of the rooms in my house Cadet Gray. It’s a wonderful very light gray shade that changes throughout the day - and it’s a perfect backdrop for every other color.

Victoria said:
April 1st, 2008 - 4:04 pm

it’s great to see white walls, as a renter all those lovely bright colors aren’t an option! thanks for this post.

April 1st, 2008 - 5:16 pm

when andrea and i first moved into our new place (industrial ‘loft’ space in savannah.. 20ft ceiling) we were thinking of going bright with colour.. but since we have been in here the huge white walls seem to be growing on us and make all of our little findings and peices just POP.. so as for now.. for are enjoying the white! if i remember correctly you are in savannah right now.. hope the afternoon shower didnt get you guys too bad!!

Alicia said:
April 1st, 2008 - 5:31 pm

I looooove white walls and white floors. When I buy a house, before I move in, I will have the entire interior painted white. Clean slate.

Jennifer said:
April 1st, 2008 - 6:26 pm

Okay, so there’s a tiny, tiny strip of pink & white wallpaper peeking from the edge of the second photo, and it’s gorgeous. Can anyone tell me more about it?

April 1st, 2008 - 9:20 pm

funny you say that…i too have trouble commiting myself to white but i just did an entire downstairs in a house in it…but so i had a little color, i tinted the ceiling a very pale blue. it really turned out amazing.

April 1st, 2008 - 9:45 pm

I’m so in favor of white in decorating. It really allows the person to add pops of color throughout the home with out becoming too overbearing!

April 1st, 2008 - 11:39 pm

I used to avoid white like the plague, now I find myself drawn to it. Thanks for the beautiful post on the most beautiful uncolor.

zee said:
April 2nd, 2008 - 6:02 am

Jennifer- the wallpaper is Mono Rose by Cath Kidston. I love it too!

April 2nd, 2008 - 8:35 am

Oh, those are beautiful. I´m not a white person either… my new home is STILL white anda I just can´t decide what colors to use, cause I wanna ALL of them…

2lastnames said:
April 2nd, 2008 - 10:31 am

My husband and I painted our small home’s living room and sun room white (Benjamin Moore Diamond White) and it is a fantatic bright, clean canvas for all my colorful pottery and artwork. Go for it - you won’t regret it!

Jennifer said:
April 2nd, 2008 - 2:33 pm

Thank you, zee!

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