by Kate Jonuska
creating layers of white as a backdrop for living
MUSEUM WALLS ARE always white for very good reasons: White welcomes any and all into a clean, bright space, and its blank slate highlights the important antiquities and works of art rather than a designer’s point of view. Certainly, creating a stylish monochromatic-white space can feel intimidating, especially to the design novice, but Shades of White: Serene Spaces for Effortless Living by Fifi O’Neill demystifies this chic palette, revealing how white— depending on how it’s wielded—can feel serene, pure, bright, soft, livable, romantic, clean, and/or relaxing in contrast to the oft-overstimulating outside world.
After all, O’Neill explains, every color in the spectrum has a whitest version that retains its underlying tonality, each with its own beauty and style. She then uses more than a dozen elegantly photographed example homes which utilize white palettes to create very different design aesthetics, from rustic and country schemes to zen simplicity and the sophistication of layered neutrals.
Whether through textiles, furniture or architecture, these mostly white homes add interest and depth by layering visual and tactile textures instead of varying colors. Many also feature smart ideas that make white more accessible, including the use of sturdy white slipcovers made of canvas for couches, reading chairs and even barstools, which one pet owner assures the reader can be washed and bleached often.
White also encourages seasonal decorating, creating focal points where you can easily swap out art or decorative items. In addition, mirrors make many a stunning appearance in Shades of White. White itself is the color of light, but the reflection of a mirror amplifies natural light and doubles visual interest, no color required.
Not that O’Neill never recommends a pop of color, be it French blue, pale pink or a patinaed gold. In its pages, Shades of White focuses on the possibilities rather than the limitations of monochrome white, creating both a lovely art book and a treasure trove of inspiration for folks who want to dabble with the ultimate neutral.
