elements / Color palette
white is red hot
I
t’s cool, it’s in, it’s hip and it’s red-hot. On the color spectrum, white reflects light and is present in all colors. It becomes a trend when two paint companies like Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams choose shades of white as their “it” colors for 2016, “Simply White” and “Alabaster,” respectively. What makes white so suddenly special? Well, the color can make a room appear bigger and cleaner and gives spaces more continuity. It gives furnishings and artwork a gallery-like backdrop. How much more neutral can you get? Once you’ve chosen your white, make it look intentional with layers of texture, interest and dimension. That’s what gives a white palette its impact. Your main — big — pieces of furniture should be lighter, too, so your eye can focus on the bolder pieces. Make sure your rug pattern has some white in it, so that it ties into the white walls. Of course, white goes with everything, so it’s the perfect backdrop for changing out colorful accessories with the seasons. Use organic elements and texture to bring life into the room — you don’t want it to appear stark and uncomfortable. Have one standout element in the room — big, bold art or a grouping of smaller art. Keep the frames all one color for a strong statement, and throw in a mirror for an eye-catching, reflective touch. A word of caution: White can look shadowy and dull if the lighting is wrong. TOP RIGHT White walls are used to great effect in a living room by HGTV’s Chip and Joanna Gaines. At RIGHT horizontal black and white stripes have graphic impact.
Summer 2016
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Jeff Jones Photo