Design Study: White on White Part 4

Adding Pops of Color

Start with a white base and throw in your favorite colors - wild fushia, bold cerulean, deep purple - and watch them jump from their blank canvas. Even nature’s colors from right outside your door, when brought inside and set against a white background, immediately show off their intricate shapes, textures, and grain. Notice how the white also acts as a unifier, giving order to even the most diverse collection of accent colors. 

With white as the stage, let your colors do the talking!

sources unknown

- Amy

Design Study: White on White Part 3

Uplight With White

I’ve often joked that everyone needs their own personal “uplight” to accompany them throughout their day.  We all look fabulous when uplit, you know?  Dressing a room in white achieves the same effect.  Why?  Because white reflects the entire visible color spectrum; whereas all other colors only reflect a portion.  So a white on white palette bounces the most light possible around the space.  And when you use that white on the floor as well…wow. You get that uplit glow from every angle and an infinity effect that makes the corners of the space recede.  It’s clean, enchanting, inspiring and once again, your textures and patterns pop with modern sophistication.  Of course, you have to keep the dustpan handy, but you just can’t have everything now, can you?

- Amy

Design Study: White on White Part 2

Benjamin Noreiga-Ortiz's "Emotional Rooms"

Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz is one of my favorite designers. He has a gift for creating emotional rooms (hint, hint: check out his amazing book aptly titled Emotional Rooms). Here are a few photos from his body of design work. These spaces are blanketed with a certain serenity, achieved by his diverse use of texture and material. Note the mix of natural woods, slick lacquers, lucites, organic cottons, wools, capiz shells, marble, and glass. The unifying factor is the sophisticated white palette. 

photos here

- Amy

Design Study: White On White Part 1

Layering Whites

White on white is catching my attention these days.  Maybe it’s the need for something bright and fresh after a long, chilly winter.  Maybe it’s that my sophisticated side needs to flex its muscles a bit.  Either way, I’m captivated by the layering of beige on white, cream on bisque, and soft taupe on flax.  Texture and pattern become intriguing, and the subtle palette creates sophistication.  The overall effect is quietly stimulating.  

People often have difficulty with whites, feeling like they all have to be the same tone.  But don’t be afraid to play with it.  Use the “whites” section of a paint deck as your guide, with all of its various shades. Gather up an armload of accessories and pile them together.  Rearrange.  Add things with textures and different levels of opacity.  You’ll create an interesting vignette like the one we’ve set up here in our design office.  It’s a great way to expand your design eye and inspire yourself!

- Amy