Olioboard Inspiration: Wimbledon’s Tennis Inspired Interiors

Entry #2617, July 5, 2013

Today we continue Stagetecture’s feature ‘Olioboard Inspiration‘. Last week you enjoyed – ‘Summer Vacation Home Holiday Celebrations’ ‘from Adele Baumann Healey and this week I bring you  inspiring ideas to all of you Tennis enthusiasts! Sam Holloway is a member of the Facebook Olioboard Fan Room and I asked her to give us a Wimbledon inspiration to your interirors. See how she uses white and gives you creative ways to change up your summer decor.

If you’re interested in being featured see details here: How to be featured on Stagetecture’s Olioboard Inspiration‘ series.

Its Wimbledon fortnight and one of the rituals of a British summer is under way. With Strawberries and cream and with a little luck bright blue skies and golden sunshine the worlds best tennis players fight it out in crisp whites on  emerald green grass courts. So there is no better time than to decorate with White and get it right.

People think of white as cold, because they believe a white room must be neat and uniform with chairs lined up like good little soldiers. There is nothing to fear of an all white room. White is the colour of joy, hope, innocence and cleanliness. It represents purity, optimism and enlightenment and is by far the most popular shade for interior decorating. Regardless of what’s in fashion, no colour is more universally favoured.

White is highly reflective, bouncing natural light off the walls and back into the room to create an airy atmosphere. Shades of white  make a room appear larger. If you want the room to feel larger still, paint the ceiling and skirting s in a lighter tone than that of the wall.

Don’t believe the myth that children and pets don’t mix with white interiors.. Use a washable paint with a low-sheen finish in high traffic areas and removable washable covers on sofas and cushions.

To avoid an all-white scheme appearing clinical,mix different whites ,not all whites match so once you start layering different tones you’ve got to look at them next to each other to see if they blend. To add interest to a monochrome room  add different textures and layers in white. This is especially important in the lounge and the key is to use layers of throws and pretty cushions for a truly sumptuous look.

Soft textures such as sheepskin rugs or knitted throws will make a white colour scheme homely and inviting, as will a thick pile carpet. For an antique look, use lace or crushed velvet. Or choose fabrics with a slight sheen or a rougher surface, like linen or corduroy.
A white scheme is the perfect backdrop to show off art work, photography, sculptures or ceramics.

If you want to introduce an accent colour use a fabric with a subtle pattern on cushions or upholstery. Or go all out with just one piece of furniture in a vibrant colour against your white backdrop.

Using white allows you to If you like to update your interior style frequently, white is the perfect choice as you can completely alter the scheme just by changing the soft furnishings and accessories. You could even alter your scheme with the seasons, opting for pastel accents in the spring and orange or red tones in the autumn.  

To see Sam Holloway’s other Olioboard submissions on Stagetecture, click here.