As a designer, I work on other people’s homes all the time & am happy to use color on client’s rooms. But when it comes to my own home, I would be thrilled if every wall was white. Call me crazy.
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Here is my logic. I work with colors & patterns on a daily basis, so after staring at fabrics & paint swatches all day it is a nice relief to walk into & work within a white space.
Also, my client’s all seem to go in the same direction at the same time. It’s quite funny actually. I’ll get the same image set to me by four different people saying this is the space I love! Which is great! I am thrilled to pull items that are inspired by their dream room & I love to make them happy, but after pulling four spaces based on the same color pallet, I tire of it quickly for my own home.
The beauty of white walls, is you can add pops of color & pattern & easily switch them out as tastes & trends change.
In my opinion, white isn’t boring, it’s a blank canvas that allows the room transform into whatever you desire. Plus, I loathe painting walls. So anything that will work with my crazy design whims is a plus!
I'm with you on this! I just recently had my home painted the faintest grey and it reads white with a little bit of tint. I love that I can change anything else in the room and the paint still look good. Also, I find it to be very fresh and calming.
I totally agree! I absolutely love white walls. On my own home, I have a lot of barely there whites but if I were to do it all over I would do a brighter shade all throughout.
I totally agree. We're in the process of lightening our entire house. While we haven't gone pure white on the walls we are using very light grays and it is amazing how our furniture and accessories look so much more important and special against the light backdrop.
I know what you mean. Colour can be overwhelming. I personally prefer a very dainty dove grey, as it sets off all other colours perfectly. White would be a close second.
I just decided to paint my walls white this past week. After noticing like a bajillion of white-walled Pinterest images I decided to finally do it. I second StubbsFamily for a good white recommendation.
And the last photo, I believe, is part of The Veranda "House of Windsor" showcase, designed by Tara Shaw. For some reason it isn't listed in her online design portfolio.
I too love white walls but almost by accident! We live in our investment property (meaning we will move out in the near future and it's not our forever home) and it has tons of vaulted ceilings. As a first-time home owner, I was thrilled with the opportunity to finally paint our walls! Long story short, we left the walls white and I came to the same realizations as you—white walls are a blank canvas and let you go all out on color and pattern.
I adore color, but for the big spaces at home I prefer a more neutral canvas. Right now our rental has fifty-shades-of-brown, but we have leave to paint however we want. I went wild in the powder room with My Color by Pantone Ocean Depths. That said, I'm looking at a light, silvery grey for the great room, entry/hall and a slightly warmer greige for the kitchen/dining/stairwell very soon. Well, springtime soon – it's 24 degrees outside, so its not like I can open the windows to air out the paint smell!
I used to find that I immediately wanted some color on my walls (even if a very muted shade); however I'm finding that's changing. We are in a rental home this year where it really didn't make sense for me to paint walls, and I really don't mind the white, I'm actually finding that I like it. One exception is in our master–I love a cozy dark color on our bedroom walls!
Love white walls when the house is filled with interesting things. When you're still working on curating a good collection (AKA POOR! Hehehe) it's cheap and easy to make your home interesting with paint. I had a turquoise color in our newlywed home (named Jamaica Bay, after our honeymoon) and that's all anyone ever cared about. (My poor, beautiful couch!)
Your theory is spot-on. I remember when I worked with clients all day long, even my own home looked too busy to my eyes and brain, so white is a place for the eye to rest!! Good post with great examples of what you are talking about! Kathysue
I like white walls in theory, but in practice I much prefer color. If you don't have tons of natural light, you need the liveliness of colored walls. Color keeps everything cohesive, what might otherwise look like a total hodgepodge is given continuity. It's like a big bow around all your stuff.
Plus I like that it forces me to stick to a color palette. Otherwise I'd go broke buying completely new accessories every season. My guest room is a pale cucumber green and it's way too neutral for me – I haven't even finished decorating it and am already thinking about going in a different direction. My dark turquoise living room, on the other hand, I'm happily able to keep with my original concept.
But yeah, if I lived somewhere with lots of natural light, I might be singing another tune.
And I am the opposite. I love color on my walls. White woodwork. Although this then requires a certain amount of white and cream in the rest of the room. I think you're either all in or all out with white walls. I grew up in a white walled house and craved to control the colors. And it's a good thing to know exactly what it is that makes you happy. And I'm happy if you are. Love, Shalagh
I'm curious about your favorite whites as well. I'm usually partial to color in my own house, but My Dad likes white walls. His whole house is white and my mom, who LOVES color, always says I should make him paint (being that I'm the designer of the family). It's quite the funny dynamic! I keep telling her I'd never do that because its not his style and I think white can look awesome, but sometimes I wonder if a different white would be better. I'd love to hear your favs.
I'm with you 100 percent! I used a lot of saturated color and pattern in my little girl's nursery and was SO sick of it by the time she was two! When I designed her big girl room, I made sure all of my major pieces were white, so that I didn't tire of them easily. If I need a change, I can easily switch out the pillows and other accessories. Plus, white is just so fresh and clean looking. I love it!
Oh, I really think I agree. I'm realizing that all of my favorite inspiration rooms are white. And all of the photos you posted are gorgeous! I love the contrast of an off-white against bright white trim. I'm about to repaint my green kitchen and family room an oatmealish shade.
we just picked out our white paint today to paint the living area and kitchen white! I have to admit though, picking out white paint might be one of the hardest color decisions ever…there are so many shades of white!
I totally agree! When we moved into our house we painted it a beige/grey that I love, but after a day full of color from clients and blogs I wish I had white. Thinking about changing some rooms out… the hubs will like that! HA!
Could you post some pictures of your living room as a whole? I think I have a similar room layout and would love to see how you did it, but can't tell from the vignette pictures. Would love to see what it looks like all together!!
Kristin, I totally agree! I love having a blank canvas to work with, and can find choosing a color so much more intimidating than starting with white and layering in different colors, patterns, and textures.
I'm with you on this! I just recently had my home painted the faintest grey and it reads white with a little bit of tint. I love that I can change anything else in the room and the paint still look good. Also, I find it to be very fresh and calming.
I agree! I like the look of colored walls but in my home I like white. What is or are your favorite whites?
Love this post and love white walls. Mine are white and I am not decorating others homes, just love white walls in my little, bitty, house!
I totally agree! I absolutely love white walls. On my own home, I have a lot of barely there whites but if I were to do it all over I would do a brighter shade all throughout.
My living room walls are white-ish, and I really love it. It's really clean looking and like you said, you open to a lot more options for styling.
I totally agree. We're in the process of lightening our entire house. While we haven't gone pure white on the walls we are using very light grays and it is amazing how our furniture and accessories look so much more important and special against the light backdrop.
Angela
I know what you mean. Colour can be overwhelming. I personally prefer a very dainty dove grey, as it sets off all other colours perfectly. White would be a close second.
This is exactly where I am right now! Do you have any recommendations for a great white? Who would have thought white would be so hard?
I just decided to paint my walls white this past week. After noticing like a bajillion of white-walled Pinterest images I decided to finally do it. I second StubbsFamily for a good white recommendation.
Also, I think the first photo is from here: http://www.traditionalhome.com/design_decorating/weekendlivingsecondhome/east-hampton-summer-home_ss1.html
And the last photo, I believe, is part of The Veranda "House of Windsor" showcase, designed by Tara Shaw. For some reason it isn't listed in her online design portfolio.
I too love white walls but almost by accident! We live in our investment property (meaning we will move out in the near future and it's not our forever home) and it has tons of vaulted ceilings. As a first-time home owner, I was thrilled with the opportunity to finally paint our walls! Long story short, we left the walls white and I came to the same realizations as you—white walls are a blank canvas and let you go all out on color and pattern.
I adore color, but for the big spaces at home I prefer a more neutral canvas. Right now our rental has fifty-shades-of-brown, but we have leave to paint however we want. I went wild in the powder room with My Color by Pantone Ocean Depths. That said, I'm looking at a light, silvery grey for the great room, entry/hall and a slightly warmer greige for the kitchen/dining/stairwell very soon. Well, springtime soon – it's 24 degrees outside, so its not like I can open the windows to air out the paint smell!
I used to find that I immediately wanted some color on my walls (even if a very muted shade); however I'm finding that's changing. We are in a rental home this year where it really didn't make sense for me to paint walls, and I really don't mind the white, I'm actually finding that I like it. One exception is in our master–I love a cozy dark color on our bedroom walls!
Love white walls when the house is filled with interesting things. When you're still working on curating a good collection (AKA POOR! Hehehe) it's cheap and easy to make your home interesting with paint. I had a turquoise color in our newlywed home (named Jamaica Bay, after our honeymoon) and that's all anyone ever cared about. (My poor, beautiful couch!)
Your theory is spot-on. I remember when I worked with clients all day long, even my own home looked too busy to my eyes and brain, so white is a place for the eye to rest!! Good post with great examples of what you are talking about!
Kathysue
I like white walls in theory, but in practice I much prefer color. If you don't have tons of natural light, you need the liveliness of colored walls. Color keeps everything cohesive, what might otherwise look like a total hodgepodge is given continuity. It's like a big bow around all your stuff.
Plus I like that it forces me to stick to a color palette. Otherwise I'd go broke buying completely new accessories every season. My guest room is a pale cucumber green and it's way too neutral for me – I haven't even finished decorating it and am already thinking about going in a different direction. My dark turquoise living room, on the other hand, I'm happily able to keep with my original concept.
But yeah, if I lived somewhere with lots of natural light, I might be singing another tune.
You make me want to paint my walls white! Do you have a favorite white paint? There are so many options it's overwhelming!
I'm moving within the next year and really want to lighten my spaces up in my next house. I would love to know what whites you prefer.
And I am the opposite. I love color on my walls. White woodwork. Although this then requires a certain amount of white and cream in the rest of the room. I think you're either all in or all out with white walls. I grew up in a white walled house and craved to control the colors. And it's a good thing to know exactly what it is that makes you happy. And I'm happy if you are.
Love,
Shalagh
I'm curious about your favorite whites as well. I'm usually partial to color in my own house, but My Dad likes white walls. His whole house is white and my mom, who LOVES color, always says I should make him paint (being that I'm the designer of the family). It's quite the funny dynamic! I keep telling her I'd never do that because its not his style and I think white can look awesome, but sometimes I wonder if a different white would be better. I'd love to hear your favs.
Loving the white. It's fresh. I am very changeable so it's working well for me right now.
I'm with you 100 percent! I used a lot of saturated color and pattern in my little girl's nursery and was SO sick of it by the time she was two! When I designed her big girl room, I made sure all of my major pieces were white, so that I didn't tire of them easily. If I need a change, I can easily switch out the pillows and other accessories. Plus, white is just so fresh and clean looking. I love it!
Oh, I really think I agree. I'm realizing that all of my favorite inspiration rooms are white. And all of the photos you posted are gorgeous! I love the contrast of an off-white against bright white trim. I'm about to repaint my green kitchen and family room an oatmealish shade.
we just picked out our white paint today to paint the living area and kitchen white! I have to admit though, picking out white paint might be one of the hardest color decisions ever…there are so many shades of white!
I totally agree! When we moved into our house we painted it a beige/grey that I love, but after a day full of color from clients and blogs I wish I had white. Thinking about changing some rooms out… the hubs will like that! HA!
Could you post some pictures of your living room as a whole? I think I have a similar room layout and would love to see how you did it, but can't tell from the vignette pictures. Would love to see what it looks like all together!!
I'm loving white walls more and more (especially with a touch of black) and your inspiration photos make me want to paint everything white! Again!
Kristin, I totally agree! I love having a blank canvas to work with, and can find choosing a color so much more intimidating than starting with white and layering in different colors, patterns, and textures.
Love your blog girlfriend!
xx,
Ashley
https://theneatntidylife.blogspot.com/