I consider white to be just as important as any other colour. However, I do draw the line at white-on-white walls unless it’s a contemporary space and you plan to repeat the colour in your decorating, see my White is a Snob post for more on that.
Here are my 10 tips on when you should choose white over any other colour:
1. White Textured Towels
Usually the plumbing fixtures [sink/toilet] are white so even if your tiles or the walls are not white, the towels relate to the fixtures which creates a ‘spa’ feeling.
Just make sure they have a texture in them. I have white towels with a daisy texture, stripes and squares, even paisley. They are the only colour I own [besides my favourite Martha Stewart Beach Towels]. Same with the shower curtain, I like it white as well!
2. White Molding in Bathrooms
Even if your woodwork is creamier throughout the house because your colours are richer (which works better with creamier trim) or you have finishes that are cream which dictate the trim, if the plumbing fixtures in your bathroom are white along with the tile, I like the trim painted white. Otherwise the only cream sometimes in a bathroom is the moldings.
3. White Sheets & Duvet Covers in the Bedroom.
I love the hotel look in a bedroom. Upholstered headboard, bed skirt and two decorative pillow shams with a white [cream fits in the white category too] duvet cover.
4. White Vinyl Windows
Generally the ‘standard’ colours for vinyl windows are white or greeny beige (that is the undertone by the way, some people call it tan). Inside the house you should always choose white or suddenly you are forced to coordinate your moldings and woodwork with a dirty beige window!! Exterior windows, beige works if you have enough contrast on the exterior colour. Otherwise go with white there too.
5. White Shutters
Any other colour cuts out more light, so unless you have a dark space anyway go with white.
6. White Dishes
Before my designer days I chose white for my wedding china. Today I think they are too traditional for me but I still like them because they are white and go with everything!
7. White Kitchens
Well we already know how I feel about White Kitchens!
8. White + Black
There’s a reason why black and white are always together, because they are both just as crisp.
9. White + Fresh Colour
In January’s Newsletter I wrote about Which Colours you’ll be Decorating with Next. And White is perfect with all of them!
10. If you simply adore White in any shape or form but you have kids and pets? Get the Ektorp sofa from IKEA. It’s an amazing price and the slipcovers alone are under $200.
What about you my lovelies? What do you own that MUST be White (I feel like I’ve missed a few)?
Related posts:
The Best Trim Colours—NOT Cloud White
5 Steps to a Kitchen you will Love
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