Tuesday, September 22, 2009

The complexities of white paint...


Someone recently found out that I painted our home white and the comment was made 'you need to be careful with white, it can make a home look like a hospital'... So i pondered...

For me, white means elegance and beauty. White in a home lends itself to so many looks and feels and dares you to use your imagination with introducing an array of colours, fabrics and textures. 

It made me think, can't any home look drab, cold and stale and it doesn't need white paint alone to achieve that outcome? 



Fabulous home with gorgeous white walls found here via the fabulous House of Turquoise

34 comments:

  1. the last hospital I visited had icky pink walls. White walls are a fantastic back drop I think..maybe just be mindful of how many crash carts and bed pans you decorate with ;)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love white walls. I too also think they are very elegant and the decor can be worked around with it. Like that photo above. That is just gorgeous. Turquoise is love.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I disagree with that person. I love white walls. Having white walls means that you can use as much colour as you want to accessorize. It is a backdrop for all your creativity. (my opinion!) Polly xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. I am having my new home white outside, with a large amount of white inside ~ interspersed with some beautiful colours.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. No, no, no - never drab. It's the perfect backdrop to so many wonderful colours! Leigh

    ReplyDelete
  6. That person is clearly lacking 'vision'.
    Where can't you go with white......?
    :)Irene x

    ReplyDelete
  7. You know I don't think hositals have white walls anymore. I love white walls - it is the perfect backdrop
    Alison

    ReplyDelete
  8. White is so fresh and gorgeous! You need to sit this person down with a stack of interiors magazines and educate them - or take them to your home, I'm sure it looks wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
  9. stunning stunning stunning picture!
    white is the perfect backdrop; you can introduce other colours through fabric and accessories like you said.
    doesn't that person know, a successful interior is never about what colour you choose, it's how you use it?!

    x

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm sitting in our little cottage as I type this, looking up at the white beadboard walls. They definitely do NOT remind me of a hospital. White walls are classic and timeless, and they allow you to play with color and texture in furnishings and accessories. I have never grown tired of white walls, but I have sometimes grown tired of walls that I've painted with a color. xo Gigi

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love white, and have argued on its behalf many times! I really love the idea of having a fresh, clean canvas for furniture, art, texture, and color.

    ReplyDelete
  12. White walls is without a doubt the best since they enhance everything els in the room by beeing so modest.

    ReplyDelete
  13. As everyone has already said white is the perfect backdrop to add any colour or colours. That picture is just divine :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love that room and especially the murano glass. I think white can be equisite!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I adore white. only those without imagination could think it can make a room look like a hospital! xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. White is so clean and fresh, a blank canvas to show off your personality with color in the decor! This room is such a perfect example!

    ReplyDelete
  17. White is a wonderful clean backdrop for just about anything you want to layer on top of it. Yes, allwhite rooms can sometimes read as stark, but even those can be gorgeous if they're done right and include a lot of different textures.

    And no matter what, white is ALWAYS better than beige.

    ReplyDelete
  18. That place sure doesn't look like a hospital! It seems that white, crisp, pristine, walls have been making appearances everywhere in decorating. I'm a huge fan color! But I have really begun to love the simplicity that white brings.

    ReplyDelete
  19. White all the way!!!!! Nothing beats an all white room...including floors. Are hospitals white? Ours are not...usually some drab colour!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm with you all the way on white! I'll echo Koralee's point about hospitals...I actually work in a hospital and it certainly is not white. White is the perfect backdrop for neutrals and brights, it's all in the furniture and decor added after those walls are painted white. I hope you'll share your results with us!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Painting your home white is a great idea 'cos, as you said, it makes a fantastic background for colourful accessories and fabrics. Go with your own ideas and forget what others might say to you. I think that you're pretty good at decorating, Kellie !!! XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  22. A friend of mine Anna Spiro painted her house white and it looks divine.White walls and floors. Its how you decorate it I think.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I think it will be a general concensus on this one.. Fresh white is the way to go. [how weird is this dust storm?] x Julie

    ReplyDelete
  24. I think that person will be more open minded about white now...What a wonderful example of what adding color in other ways can do...Perfect pic Kellie!
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. I love white walls ! you can work any design and colors around it ........... I love the picture of the room you posted, I don't think it can ever get boring..

    ReplyDelete
  26. You do what you do, so well. We do not that someone else stumbles to say what they cannot do for them self.

    Be well.
    Do good.
    All ways.
    All days.
    Stay true.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I think white is a lovely color and can be used with decor in a nice way, like this picture. I love white with black and pink, it compliments these colors very well. I left you a present at my blog! :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. Fantastic colour! Have a sweet day! x

    ReplyDelete
  29. I am 100% with you on this, Kellie. I'm a white wall devotee.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Although I am not a fan of white(it's my least fave color actually), I do agree that it makes a perfect backdrop for a variety of interior styles.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for stopping by. Mrs.Darcy xx