We asked three designers known for their work with pale palettes to tell us what makes a white interior so special. They also share tips for using white in your own home.
White as a Backdrop
For Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler, white sets the background for the room. "White defines and strengthens the architecture, so it lends itself to being the most beautiful backdrop for design," she says. Darryl Carter, a Washington, D.C. designer, also thinks of white as the perfect background. "I prefer to work with white because of the sense of space it allows," he explains. "White generally creates an unobtrusive background, allowing your art and furniture to speak for themselves." For instant room refreshment, paint the walls white and notice how it makes your furniture and accessories stand out. To keep the look uniform, Kasler advises against a stark white ceiling. "I always paint the ceiling the white used on the trim or walls. It is much more beautiful and pulls the room together."
White on White
If you're truly a fan of white, consider an all-white room. It's perfect for bedrooms, where the palette should be serene. And what could be simpler? All you need is white paint or wallpaper, a white painted bed (or hang white sheers from a metal bed), crisp white linens, and white window treatments. The best thing about an all-white room is how it always looks fresh, and white products are always in stock. If you get tired of the look, slip-cover a chair in toile, throw a bright quilt across the bed, or add a patterned rug. It's the ultimate in no-fuss.
Where White Doesn't Work
White is not a good choice for high-traffic areas. "White is not very forgiving on fabrics and walls when abused," says Houston designer Randy Powers. He also cautions against using it on heavily used furniture. "It will get dirty and can make even the most wonderful piece look tired." If you're using white in a heavily used room, such as the kitchen, choose paint that can be wiped down, sturdy tiles, and wallpaper with a bit of a pattern to hide dirt and scratches. Also, be prepared to clean constantly. A white room will quickly become dingy if not kept scrupulously clean.
If your room is basically a box, white will only emphasize its ordinariness. "You need to have an interesting space or architectural detail in a room or it looks like nothing special," says Kasler. If you aren't blessed with an architecturally interesting room, you can still use white but give the space some oomph with luxurious window treatments, mirrors, and art.
If you have a large, brightly colored piece of furniture, such as a sofa, its color will reflect onto white walls, giving them a different cast. A red sofa will make white walls appear slightly pink, while a green cabinet will give the room a tinge of lime. If you do have large, colorful furniture, choose a warmer white for the walls, or consider moving the red sofa to another room.
Practical Painting
There's a reason why white is the most popular paint color. "White provides a fresh canvas," says Powers. "It is the perfect starting color to build a color palette, and almost everything looks good with it." The trick to getting the perfect white for your walls is experimentation. Pick out two or three whites you like and combine them for a softened effect, as Kasler does.
All our designers agreed that whatever whites you choose, make them warm whites. Darryl Carter likes to use Benjamin Moore's Moonlight White on walls contrasted with Benjamin Moore's Simply White on trim. He also advises flat on walls and satin on all wood trim. Choosing a white paint with some depth will keep rooms from looking sterile and cold.Try white in unconventional places. "My favorite way to use white in a room is in untraditional venues," says Carter. "I like to paint out the architecture, painting traditionally dark millwork, as in a library, white." Use white on window trims and sashes, door frames, and stair rails. Painting over formerly dark, stained surfaces will immediately lighten and expand a space.One Last Word
Lastly, don't forget to have fun. White is a forgiving color, and often inexpensive enough to make regular experimentation feasible. "Remember that there are no rules in decorating," says Powers. "Creating what feels and looks good to you is what good creative design is all about."
Sources:
Darryl Carter
2342 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20008
202/ 234-5926
www.darrylcarter.com
Suzanne Kasler
Suzanne Kasler Interiors
2300 Peachtree Rd.
Ste. C-203
Atlanta, GA 30309
404/355-1035
www.suzannekaslerinteriors.com
J. Randall Powers
2727 Kirby Drive
Houston, TX 77098
713/524-0188
