White in the Spotlight
We put white in the spotlight, which plays the leading role in this living room.
Imagine being called a blank canvas in every language known to mankind. Such is the plight of white. And chances are you’ve been guilty of perpetuating the stereotype. Have you ever uttered the phrase, “White is a good neutral background for hanging art (or photographs or decorative plates, etc.)?” Of course you have. That’s why we put white in the spotlight.
Well, it’s time to stop underestimating it and start thinking of it as a superstar, because there are as many variations of white as other colors—and they are all guaranteed not to make you feel blue.
Get the Look: White in the Spotlight
While it’s true that the walls in this room are painted white, if you look closely you will see that it is definitely not a stark, clinical white but rather a creamy hue that gives the room a soft glow even when the sun isn’t shining on it.
The brightest whites are reserved for the sofas, chairs and trim. By placing the clear, light shades on these areas it puts them in the forefront. The white molding serves as a separator between the walls and ceiling—a logical dividing line.
The beige area rug anchors the room and creates the illusion of white through its texture.
Look up at the chandelier and you will be hard-pressed to think of another color that would share its space so elegantly.
Finally, white calla lilies on the coffee table punctuate the room with an exclamation point.
By Meryl Schoenbaum
Photographed by Mark Tanner