Used as a blank slate for dashes of color or as the primary tone of a room, white offers endless possibilities. In the second installment of our color design series, we’re featuring our favorite all-white rooms accompanied by helpful design tips by longtime friend and interior designer, Beverly Farrington of Accents of the South.
1. When well-designed, Beverly says white rooms convey an airy feel that can be both soothing and sophisticated. Her favorite way to create this look is to use soft ivory as a base with pure white accents. In this living room by Joanna Goodman, the walls and slipcovers don creamy off-white and oatmeal for bright white pillows and lamp shades to accent.
2. “Playing with texture is the key to designing with white,” says Beverly, because the inherent lack of contrast in an all-white room makes working with this scheme difficult. Wispy drapes bring ease and femininity to crisp white marble tile in this stunning entryway by Cindy Barganier, creating contrasting surfaces that prevent the room from appearing flat.
3. Creamy shiplap combined with white window frames, cabinets, and marble countertops turn this breakfast nook by Katherine Bramlett into an open and luminous niche. Beverly remarks that “white walls allow light to come from all four corners of a room rather than just the floor or ceiling,” transforming a small corner into a retreat that seems more spacious than it is.
4. One of the challenges homeowners face when designing a white room is imbuing it with warmth, as too much white can cause a space to feel cold. Beverly recommends highlighting the area with naturals, such as wood and rattan. We love how Alison Smith played with the dark grain of this range hood, melding it with a driftwood bowl for a welcoming look in this pearly kitchen.
5. Metallic accents add an elevated, refined touch to the sleekness of a white room. An ornate gold coffered ceiling serves as the centerpiece of this home office, imparting Old-World glamour to the geometry of pure white brick walls.
6. Beverly prefers white sheets despite her German Shepherd who enjoys cuddling on the bed. She believes “nothing is prettier than an all-white bed. But if it’s bedding, it needs to be washable.” Take inspiration from this master bedroom by Joanna Goodman and select comforters that are stain resistant and machine washable. Not even dirty paws can stand in the way of a downy, white bed!
7. While all-white rooms are a wonderful way of creating a serene setting, they can also act as the backdrop for daring motifs and textures. Alabaster subway tile establishes two zebra stripe occasional chairs as statement pieces in this milky-hued kitchen. Stained beams also stand out in the pale décor, shaping and elongating the space for added dimension.
8. Turn a conventional white bathroom into a luxurious sanctuary by framing key furnishings with neutral yet alluring prints. Faint leopard curtains dramatically back this claw-foot tub for added privacy and polish. If you don’t have a window in your bathroom, work in patterned bath linens and rugs for the same effect.
9. Strategic dark trims in an all-white space is one of Beverly’s favorite ways of styling with this versatile color. Here, black wood railing slopes upwards from a white kitchen, adding height and definition to the space the way eyeliner contours elegant eyes.
10. If you’re uncertain about using white for indoor spaces that get plenty of foot traffic, take inspiration from this white brick home that flows uninterrupted into a gleaming cabana. A cleanly tiled deck with a columned wet bar sets the scene for a pristine poolside patio. Outdoor materials allow this area to be easily cleaned and are more resistant to wear.
By Lillie Mermoud
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