The essential guide to all-white rooms

The secrets to great white rooms
Either way, the secret to a great white room lies in two important principles. The first is texture. “A monochromatic white room throws texture into high relief,” Robin says. “That’s the real secret to adding life to a scheme like this; otherwise it just looks boring.” Natural textures, such as wood, stone and fibres like rope, wool, linen, and cotton look especially rich in a white setting. For contrast, combine (or switch out) nubbly textures with sleek ones like glass, mirror, high-gloss, metallics. (One caveat with high-gloss surfaces such as white lacquer or enamel, Robin advises: beware of using them over large areas such as walls, since white gloss shows scratches, flaws and dirt easily. Either restrict this finish to white accessories or sidepieces, or opt for a slightly lower sheen such as Venetian plaster or semi-gloss.)

The second secret is to keep in mind that whatever you put in the room—from artwork to furnishings to accessories—is going to stand out against the white background, so make sure it’s worth looking at. “Basic accessories and art don’t work in an all-white environment; you should opt for items that are striking—especially if they have a personal meaning for you, such as carved wood sculptures picked up while travelling, perhaps, or artwork that really speaks to you.”

If your heart still longs for white, Siegerman has some final, down-to-earth advice. Just like white clothing, a white room shows dirt quickly, so be prepared to work to keep it spotless—even if it means washing your walls and furnishings regularly.

“I’d say it’s definitely not a look for you if you have kids and dogs and lots of activity in the room. When a client comes to me wanting a white room, I sit them down and ask them exactly what they’re after, and often it comes out that the look can be achieved just as beautifully with a more neutral or natural palette—and with nowhere near the maintenance.”

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