The White Way

Living in a clean, serene, white interior is a dream for many. Make this look work for you with our five-step guide

- Vanessa Nouwens

1 CHOOSE YOUR WHITE

Grey (cool) whites. Pale grey can seem a little cold for interiors but, with the right warm or bright accessories, it looks sensational. Try it in a bedroom or living space with accessories in terracotta or sand, or swampy and khaki greens.

Yellow (warm) whites can range from rich, buttery creams to subtle, fleecy whites. These are particularly good for south-facing rooms or those with lots of reflected green from trees or plants. Warm and aged whites are often best for older homes with character details and trims.

Green (in-between) whites tend to change with the light, appearing warm one minute and cool the next. Because green is made up of blue (traditionally a cool colour) and yellow (a warm one), these green-based whites have the ability to morph with the mood.

2 BRING IN TEXTURE

An all-white interior can sometimes feel blank, sterile and stark, and may lack personality. There’s one way to avoid this effect: texture. Introducing different textures will always make a room feel warm and inviting. Texture can include anything from wood, brick and tiles to wool, linen and silk, but adding texture to the walls themselves can also make a big difference. There are lots of ways to create texture on your white walls, including:

A vertical ‘tongue-and-groove’ effect – this look can add height to a room when painted white and works especially well in coastal or traditional interiors.

Boiserie or wainscoting – this panelled look can be created using beading or mouldings and mimics the style of heritage European homes.