White Walls
White - nothing, and everything, all at once
What do you think of when you think of the color white?
White, an achromatic color. It embodies purity, simplicity and brightness. But when used incorrectly it can be boring, sterile and cold.
In fashion the color white gives us a blank canvas to create freely. A white t-shirt is a staple in my closet and the item of clothing I most frequently gravitate towards. Once accessorized, or layered on, a white tee offers endless options. Under a navy pinstriped blazer, slacks and sneakers. Layered with a v-neck cashmere sweater, denim and knee high boots. Monochromatic with white sweats and burgundy loafers. I could go on forever.
Yet alone, on a hanger, a white tee is a bore. She has no spice, no pizzaz, no personality. Even if she’s spun from the finest & softest cotton, she needs texture, pattern, and color to have her aura shine through.
When it comes to interiors I find white to be the same. Uninspiring, alone.
We recently moved into a new home. A new build with new walls. New is really nice. New is no renovations. New is no ones previous imagination to interfere with yours. New is limitless options. But new also comes with a great deal of responsibility. As the first family to live in this home, we are obligated to lay the foundation of its lifelong character. There is an unsaid pressure to weave the tapestry of our lives into its very walls, to make this house not just a structure, but a living, breathing reflection of our stories over time.
While designing our home, the question I keep asking myself is how do I want my home to feel? How do I want this specific room to feel? Beyond a room's primary function, it's the atmosphere that truly defines its essence.
The word that immediately comes to mind for every room, no matter its purpose, is warmth—an inviting embrace that transcends function. I want my family to walk through each door and feel the embrace of every room. Cue thy walls. Thy white white walls. I could go into my garage to find the proper name of the shade, but let’s call it what I see fit - “hospital white”.
When it comes to color, even the slightest variance in hue can make such a drastic difference. I find this it be especially true for white. And so began my search for the perfect hue(s).
As I do with any project, I opened Pinterest, searched “white interior paints” and started saving anything that spoke to me. I knew I wanted a shade with red, orange, or yellow undertones. Warmth. I wanted something creamy and chic.
I collected about 100 paint sample strips.
And finally narrowed it down to the following:
Benjamin Moore’s Pink Damask, Butter Pecan, Ballet White and Swiss Coffee.
Farrow & Ball’s Pointing, School House White, Joa’s White, White Tie and Skimming Stone.
I’ll post the reveal once it’s all said and done.