10 Quick Tips to Get a Wow Factor
THERESA: Ian – the last time you saw an all-white room did you feel comfortable or did you feel afraid to relax?
IAN: ….. J
THERESA: White is one of those colours that many homeowners shy away from, as they are nervous about making an all-white room feel comfortable and welcoming. White can be the most refreshing colour of the spectrum. It should evoke cleanliness and sophistication. Before you decide that your home could never “do white” (because of kids maybe?) I asked Dave to give us these 10 quick tips on getting that wow factor when decorating with all-white colour. You may be surprised how easily comfortable white can be in your interiors.
Instead of getting intimidated by white, look at white as a fresh start to do whatever you want and go wherever your creativity will take you! White rooms are a great way to find out what inspires your room. Do you have a killer view of the ocean, trees, mountains or city? White is a beautiful canvas to use as a backdrop for your gorgeous vistas. Instead of engulfing your whole room in a colour, try white and see what speaks to you in your home.
The beauty of white is its versatile range to go from an ultra creamy white to an ultra modern white finish. Many homeowners love white in the kitchen because it feels clean and classic. Many kitchen appliance manufacturers now offer appliances in white too!
THERESA: I recently saw the SMEG range of white appliances and they are to die for! Sorry – carry on Dave…
Have you noticed the latest trends in interiors pair neutral colours such as white, black, greys and browns with classic metal colour combinations? White and stainless steel, brass, copper and gold are all trending in home interiors and the look is warm and inviting. Whether you pair white with stainless steel appliances in the kitchen or with brass lighting fixtures in your living room. Metals reflectance is a great pairing with the crispness of white.
You may be thinking that white upholstery is harder to keep clean or it shows dirt quickly. While this may be true, consider what type of room will match the fabric type for which you use it in. Don’t shy away from white because of the colour – instead use fabric suitable for your busy home.
One of the greatest assets of working with the colour white is the ability to showcase your own personality and style in your interiors, without having to compete with the colour on the walls, furniture and decor. If you love artwork, sculptural pieces, or any elements that command attention, consider displaying it on an all-white wall, over an all-white fireplace mantle or over your all-white bed. All eyes will go right to your one-of-a-kind artwork without you having to try!
Believe it or not, there are hundreds of shades of white and all of them do not look like versions of beige! Every colour in the spectrum has a white version of it. From pinks and yellows to greens and purples, there are underlying faint hints of colour in a variety of whites. Choose what furniture and decor your home has the majority of colour in. Look to kitchen cabinets, flooring, countertops and tile in your bathroom for colour cues on how to choose the best underlying coloured white. There are several ‘perfect whites’ for every home.
THERESA: Now that you finally mentioned flooring Dave, I’d like to mention that FloorworX offers an array of light white Oak wood floors. Our Quick-Step Classic Laminate rage has a beautiful Reclaimed White Patina Oak floor; Eligna Wide boasts a very white Morning Oak; Our Opera LVP range has a stunning Sand chalk Oak floor to name a few.
DAVE: Theresa, you’re reading my mind. I was just about to say…
If your room is lacking personality or warmth, consider layering whites in similar shades of white, warm whites, gray, warm grays, etc.… Use patterns, textures and varying materials in similar white hues to create a room that has depth and interest. This especially works well in bedrooms. Flooring, textiles, an upholstered headboard, window treatments and bedding can all work together in harmony in varying shades of tone-on-tone white varieties.
White creates a canvas for you to decorate in different ways all year around. Whether you love to usher in autumn with gorgeous rustic tones of red, yellow, and burnt umber or change to bright colours and pastels in spring, an all-white interior gives you the versatility to change at a whim! Swap out accent rugs, throw pillows, window treatments, bed linen to create a seasonal home that is versatile and welcoming all year around. In summer time an all-white interior is cool and refreshing and may not need seasonal colours at all.
Nothing says “Wow” like an eye-catching colour amongst a sea of white interior walls in a bathroom. A white bathtub, sink basin and flooring can look striking against any colour that adds punch and pizazz to the eye.
DAVE: Lastly, I recommend you …
- Use white to make all the “blemishes” go away:
White can also work like an eraser in your interiors. Whether your home has some architectural mishaps, exposed mechanical ducts, or overhead unsightly blemishes in the drywall – white can camouflage the eyesores. Transform your home by using all-white interiors and see how comfort is closer than you once thought!
IAN: Thanks Dave! I’ll make sure I send Dominique shopping with you 😉 OR whatever you’d like to say here J
Theresa, just also tell us how to get hold of FloorworX so our listeners can view the white wood floors you recommended to Dave.
THERESA: They can stalk our website at www.floorworx.co.za and click on the wood tab at the top or alternatively they can e-mail me at info@floorworx.co.za
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