Home decorating: There's more to white than meets the eye
White is the color synonymous with purity and lightness.
It is a color that is universal and can be found in almost all aspects of nature. Flowers, clouds, birds, sea foam, butterflies and stones come in varying shades of white. Since antiquity, white has been a sacred color that is used for royal ceremonies, weddings, baptisms and burials.
An all-white decorating scheme can transport one to the Caribbean with visions of warm breezes, starched linens and polished, dark mahogany furniture; or to the countryside in a comfortable combination of soft shabby chic matelassé slipcovers and chalk-painted furniture; or to a sleek urban setting with sculptural white leather sofas and gleaming white marble floors. So, you see, the possibilities are endless.
Chic Greek islands and slick Spanish beachside resorts opt for ubiquitous yet always surprising white-on-white color renditions for their architecture and decor. In the villages of Cape Cod, white is the preferred color to accentuate the steeples of clapboard churches and frames of old grande dame houses and cottages.
Not all whites are equal. The color white is often misunderstood. You would likely describe any white item on its own as "white," but when it's placed next to another white item, you will see the nuances of other colors coming through.
All whites have a tint that gives an undertone of color. This is why when we do a lineup of white color swatches, we will immediately realize that some have a bit of gray in them, while other whites have pink, yellow or even mauve tones.
Decorating with whites has its tricks. One is to never paint an entire room's walls, ceiling and trim the same shade and finish or your room will turn out flat and lifeless. The ceiling and walls should each have their own color, and trim should be slightly contrasting in color as well as finish. If walls are matte or flat, trim should always be satin, semi-glossy or glossy to accentuate its architecture. The source of light, whether from a window or a lamp, will shimmer in the trim.
As you can see, white is a versatile color that can be paired with almost any other. It is so adaptable that it can be paired with itself. Black-and-white is considered a classic chic combination; blue and white together are reminiscent of the ocean; and red with white creates a vibrant, romantic atmosphere. A dash of white is a sure way to make any decor feel fresh and contemporary.
Most people like white. So why is it that when you suggest a white decorating scheme, you can hear people shriek from a mile away? I suspect it is because most folks are afraid of maintenance issues, and white can get dirty quickly. But it can also be cleaned, laundered and bleached, whereas other colors cannot. So: Why not white?
• Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Florida.
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