Happy New year Everyone!! Full of new beginnings and new resolutions! I thought white which represents new beginnings and purity would be a great start to the new year!!
White is such a staple seen in nature and used in everything from fashion to decor. It's capable of complimenting every interior style from the most modern to minimalist to a more old-world. But how much white is the right amount for your home and what meaning does it lend to your spaces??
Technically, white can be understood as either the absence of all color or the presence of all color. It has come to represent wholeness and completion, openness and truth.
With its connotations of purity and innocence in western counties, white is traditionally worn by brides. Illustrating how different the world's cultures are, in eastern countries the color white represents mourning and funerals.
Because of its tranquil and peaceful qualities, it's an ideal color for places where you'd like to meditate or bring about mental clarity.
Here are some instances where I love the choice of white in home interiors. These white plastered walls are the perfect complement of this homeowner's wonderful colorful art collection. According to Leonardo da Vinci, "the first of all single colors is white ... We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen." The white really makes the art pop while the texture of the plaster adds so much depth!
Associated with low-fat foods and dairy products, white's a great choice for kitchens. Who knew?! My personal taste leans towards mixing colors and textures with white for heightened contrast like in the photo above from Décor Pad, but maybe an all-white kitchen would subliminally encourage me to change my grocery store purchases!
Though white can have a cold and sterile quality, when mixed with worn textures it comes to life creating instant charm and character as in this vintage style kitchen.
My new love is accessorizing with white dinnerware from the old to the new!! The interplay of different versions of white in the dishes, cabinetry, marble counters is wonderful here!
Mixing white with clear colors gives this kitchen such a fresh feel, pairing white with the warmer tones of the floor and the soft, sea foam of the light fixtures and accessories.
White’s association with cleanliness also makes it a popular choice for baths. This one featured in Veranda feels so elegant with the pretty bench, and mosaic marble floors.
Here is our version of an almost white bath. We plastered the walls and ceilings of this luxurious bath in subtle shades of beige to pull the warmer color in the veining of the solid marble slab floors and wainscoting. The gilded silver tones in the mirrors and vanities add glamour and depth. It's a beautiful example of how a mixture of off-whites and creams can create a rich and sophisticated look, give you that white feel but in an inviting fashion.
Adding beige to this all white child's room adds interest and a bit of fun!! This monochromatic girl's room is so cute! I love the flower lights and the various fabric textures work together nicely.
These two spaces both use the same color white - BM White Dove! The difference? The bar to the left is painted, and the entrance to the right is plastered. Plastering gives whites a bit more warmth through subtle variations in tone. Which do you prefer?
The best thing about white is that it has the potential to blend well with every other imaginable color, making it a beautiful choice for home interiors. More shades of white are commercially available than any other color so how to choose the right one? Some of my personal favorites from Benjamin Moore are Sea Pearl, White Dove, Feather Down, and Creamy White. From Sherwin Williams Creamy, Alabaster, Egert White and Natural Choice. From Farrow and Ball Strong White, and Pointing.
Are you more comfortable in white white rooms or spaces that mix white with other colors? Where do you use white in your home? (The pictures that are not of Segreto's work came from Pinterest - take a peek at all of my pins or visit my White White White!! board to view more white interiors!) Best wishes of happiness, health, family and prosperity as we welcome 2013!! 'Til next week! xo Leslie
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