June 15, 2007

Inspiration Friday- White Done Right

The first thing I usually do upon moving into a home, is to rid the walls of any hint of white paint. In the past I felt like white was boring and sterile.

Lately I have been more and more drawn to white rooms and I recognize that doing white right is quite an accomplishment.

Have you ever shopped for white paint? It's amazing how many choices there are, how many different undertones. Choosing the right white is just as challenging as choosing any other paint color.
I believe in order for a white room to really work and not feel cold, you must use texture to your advantage.

Wood tones, wicker, iron, distressed materials and different shades of white work well to give a white room warmth.

There is nothing quite like white to give you a sense of calm, to turn an ordinary room into a sanctuary.

Wood paneling, beadboard and trim are all fine for grand estates and other peoples houses but for my money, nothing says cottage quite like freshly painted white woodwork.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful! I don't have much white in my house, but I like it done well, like in those pictures.
    The kitchen is very pretty.
    I know what you mean about the paint. I like painting furniture white, and I have a hard time deciding on just the right shade.
    Thanks and have a wonderful weekend.
    Rosemary

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  2. Beautiful pictures of white rooms. So restful and inviting.

    If I tried to do that I'm sure I'd start throwing colors in and mess it up..LOL

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  3. Love the pictures. They give the impression of something fresh and invitng.
    I have always been facinated by the colour white. Ever since the 1980's, when I was around 12 - I decided it was the colour for me.
    Today 90% of the walls in our home are white.
    The shade of white, is as you say, important. Ours changes character through out the day...

    Love your Inspiration Friday Posts!!

    Have a lovely weekend

    Yvonne

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  4. Clean and crisp looking white! I do agree it does give you a sense of calm! when do I begin or what do I begin painting white! Great inspiration! hugs NG

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  5. I love all those pictures! White rooms always look so fresh and pretty, don't they. I do think the key is to use vary shades of white (there are so many) and different textures. Great choice of photos!

    Manuela

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  6. Love this post! I have never attempted an all white room, but you are right on the money with those tips. The problem I have with doing it, is what do you do with your old stuff, and how do I pass by a beautiful item or textile that has beautiful colour? I think it would bore me, at least from a shopping perspective!!!LOL

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  7. I love lots of whites in bathrooms. I only us white towels OK it's so much easier to have them all the same so it doesn't look messy and I can bleach them once in a while too. For years I used lots of soft white on my walls often with sand trim. I liked it but our winters are so cold and long I notice the older I get I need more color I need to feel cozy and warm.

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  8. Oh, I love the kitchens! I think white is great in kitchens - gives them a clean feeling. So pretty - thanks.

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  9. I use to feel the same way...a white room just felt "undone".

    But now, I love the look of true white trim molding against a linen white wall.

    Martha Stewart gets a big "Thanks" from me for doing such a fantastic job of highlighting the many beautiful and varied underones of white.

    Kimberly :)

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  10. Oh, don't you just love white. It's such a soothing and restful color. It has such impact and versatility. I love how it makes any color pop and yet it can stand alone. One of my favorites!!

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  11. Loved this post.

    I am leaning toward more white, these days, too! At least at the lake. We left all the walls white, when we moved in. I always thought I'd do some color, but didn't get around to it. The white walls are working great with the cottage look, I'm going for, there.

    Pat
    Back Porch Musings

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  12. Love it...I am thinking all white myself. My home is so colorful and sometimes wish to have a white room. Thanks for the inpiration.

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  13. Oh, just gorgeous! I have been struggling with this, because I see the pictures in magazines of these gorgeous rooms and then try it at home and it just feels sterile and cold, just like you said. I have been wondering if it's just because I live in a grey, rainy place. But clearly something else is missing. Meanwhile--where did you get the photos from? I actually have the one with the iron bed in my inspiration notebook! But I love the top one with the couches. I mean, I love them all, but I would love a copy of that one. Love your blog! :-)

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  14. Such pretty pictures. I do think white can be very pretty...but it requires lots of windows for it to seem fresh, not sterile. Love that tub in the bathroom photo...

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  15. Beautiful pix and very inpirational! Personally, I LOVE white rooms. Very fresh and you have no limits on jazzing them up with color which is easy to switch out seasonally.
    Thanks for visiting my blog and for your very kind words.
    Laurie

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  16. Just so lovely and inviting. I don't think these rooms will ever go out of style.

    Hugs,
    Carol

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  17. Jen, I love the inspiration rooms! And I do really like the white...I've never had a white room, kind of like you, I always have to have some color. But there is something about a white room, with white slip-covered furniture. I love that kitchen you posted. I really love the white cabinets with the marble, and all the amazing windows.

    allie
    www.mycozyhome.typepad.com

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