My Love Affair with White
I love white. Always have. From the beginning of my career when everyone was slipcovering and creating neutral living spaces to now when a beautiful white room can still make me catch my breath.
During my years with Cityline, I was often known as the designer who loved whites and neutrals and I often showcased them in both magazines and on tv.
MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH
WHITE BEGAN
My love affair with white began with a passion for beautiful white bed linens. One of my favourite shops was and still is Au Lit Fine Linens who perfected white hotel style collections. Nothing is more classic.
My collection of “white” themed decor books was massive.
I adored the shabby chic work of Rachel Ashwell. Although she also loved small floral prints, it was her serene and oversized spaces that captured my attention.
I would often recommend slipcovering to clients and loved off-white denim as a fabric choice. Not only did it wear well but it was so forgiving if anything dropped on it or stained it. You could even throw it in the dryer.
To me, a neutral base, which includes furniture, walls and window treatments, provides a perfect backdrop for more colourful accessories like art, collectibles and pillows. These neutral tones also gives you flexibility when you want to change those patterned and colourful accessories.
A white kitchen is still the most sought-after kitchen color on a global scale.
Whenever my company designs a new kitchen, the new kitchen is often a shade of white.
We often refresh old wooden cabinetry with white paint. It provides an instant update in bathrooms and kitchens.
We repurpose old furniture pieces in white which adds a freshness to a guest room, hallway or bathroom.
Here are my five favourite whites that I have used throughout the years.
CHANTILLY LACE OC-65
Benjamin Moore
I started using this color in my own home years ago when I needed a kitchen cabinet color to work with my new carrerra marble countertops and I never looked back.
It has the perfect crispness and cool tone and I still use it for ceilings and trim work.
WHITE DOVE OC-17
Benjamin Moore
Currently one of my favourites. It has the right balance of cool and warm undertones and I especially love it on kitchen cabinetry.
SIMPLY WHITE OC-117
Benjamin Moore
This is just a perfect white and its name suggests that. I use it on walls.
OXFORD WHITE CC-30
Benjamin Moore
Another classic that works beautifully on cabinetry and trim work.
WHITE WHISP 2137-70
Benjamin Moore
This has a popular grey undertone and works in south facing rooms for a perfect balance.