The Case Against White

I'm a color designer, so obviously you'd think that I'd be biased against white paint. Personally, the only way I could have white walls is if I could have predominately colorful furniture and accessories. I once had the experience of a builder handing me the keys to check out a new home that had fallen through. I was on the verge of giving him a deposit on this almost-finished great deal of a home. I loved the model, adored it really. So when I walked in and saw the stark white walls, my heart sank. Where was the home I was so enamored of? Of course they do a fantastic job decorating model homes--that's what sells them. I realized that it wasn't the structure I loved, it was the feel of it. This was not my dream home afterall.

Why is white so complicated? It's simple. It coordinates with everything. It's not offensive. In most cases, it's not anything really. But put your typical furniture and accessories in an all white home, you'll find it lacking that special something. Ultimately, white can appear as gray because it reflects the shadows of the room. I have a great example of this from recent project I completed. By changing the color from white to burnished cream, the room warmed up and felt inviting. It's subtle but makes such a difference. Color doesn't have to be scary or bold or trendy. It can make the space exactly how you want it to feel. If you love white, go for it (I promise not to tease you about white being the favorite color of schizophrenics). All I ask is that you don't stick with white just because it's safe. Life's too short for you to live in a space you don't love.