Guest Blogger: Bringing Creative White Interiors into your Home

Guest Blogger #94, Entry #550, June 9, 2011

There is something about white interiors that make me feel ultimate peace and relaxation. White interiors have been termed stuffy, unforgiving, and stark. Guest Blogger, Amy C. gives you tips for bringing white interiors creatively into your home.

See how white can make your kitchen feel clean and crisp

Image courtesy of KBB Online

According to decorator Rachel Ashwell, best known for her love of flea market finds and slipcovered sofas, if you are able to embrace the lived in look decorating in white can be very practical.  Unlike beige white truly is not a boring color. White adds drama, just look at all of the white weddings you have attended.

White has gotten a bad rap. It is not cold but can be as warm and cozy as fall colors if handled correctly. People tend to think a white room must be ultra neat, with the furnishings in military uniformity.  By avoiding the modern furnishing and going with fluffy pillows and distressed finishes you make a room that is inviting instead of cold and formal.

Start your white  room with the wall paint. This gives you literally a blank canvas where you can begin to create your own inimitable style. And yes you can raise a family and enjoy having the beautiful whites you love. The Ashwell slipcovers are all machine washable and preshrunk.  If you can live with that crumpled look that defines “shabby chic” this is a great look for you. Really who irons nowadays anyway.

White can be timeless and inviting

Image courtesy of Examiner

If stark white is not for you try pairing it with a soft pastel. White slipcovers and pastel pillows and throws will make the room lively. You will want the colors to be a bit subdued and mellow. So avoid pastels that can be viewed as colors more suited for a nursery. Go with the darker tones from the pastel color wheel. Use the smoky pinks, blues or greens.

When decorating with every choice is critical. Oddly enough, because there are no distractions the room becomes more complex. A white room is one of the best places to showcase your antiques. They become a focal point. White has to be picked carefully. Consider this, Benjamin Moore paints has over 200 shades of white. The undertones can change with the amount of light the walls receive. The best way to make sure your whites will coordinate well with your other pieces is to paint a wall and view it at different intervals throughout the day.

White can accentuate your collections

Image courtesy of Apartment Therapy

A final thought on decorating with white. Do not be afraid to experiment with textures.  Some of the fabrics normally associated with outdoor furnishings translate quite well to the indoors. They are durable and most are stain resistant. For more ideas on decorating “white” look online, you will also be able to find a great number of the items mentioned here as well.

Amy C. is a interior decoration aficionado.  She enjoys testing and trying new themes of decorating home and office.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming indoor fountains and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases and water fountains to decorate your indoors.

For more creative decorating ideas on Stagetecture, click here.