All White

To create pleasing visual tension, paint walls, trim and wooden furniture in a variety of whites. Using all warm whites will keep the room from looking cold and sterile; don’t use all cool whites. You can also use a variety of textures, including ultra–pale colors, which can be considered part of the white family. To complete the room, finish the floor in a glossy white paint. To complete the look, accent with a mirror, pictures in silver frames, or a ceramic or glass–based lamp with a pleated shade.

White with color and pattern

Adding touches of cobalt blue to an all–white room gives it a fresh, Scandinavian look; just remember that using more than a few accents can turn a “white” room into a “blue and white room”, a different style altogether. We also like cool colors, like aqua blue and grass green, to keep the white looking fresh. Paint walls a pure white and introduce warmth with white accessories and a pale, natural wood floor.

White with naturals

Pair whites with warm natural materials, like wood and raffia; to create a clean–lined, modern aesthetic, texture is the key to the look.

Walls can be painted either a pure white or a warm white that’s not too creamy and finish the floors in a sophisticated dark stain to ground the space. Introduce wood pieces with chocolate–brown or dark walnut stains. Finish the look with contemporary pieces: a dark–wood lamp with a natural linen lampshade; a sleek wooden vase filled with interesting branches of an all–white bouquet or a modern bowl.

Author: Sklar Furnishings