Bright White: A love story
Remember last summer before I moved when I said I was considering not painting the walls of my new apartment? That I would embrace white walls? And then I painted my apartment grey? Well, lately I’ve noticed on my favorite home blog, emmas designblogg, that a majority of the homes are all white – no painted walls (a Scandinavian thing?). So of course – in true Kate fashion – I let out a huge sigh after rearranging our living room, stating that I regretting painting the living room grey because it was too dark, that I wish it were white. Because that’s what I do. Drive my boyfriend crazy.
I probably won’t win this time, though. But I can dream, right?
all images via emmas designblogg
February 9th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
y'know, I love the way white walls look in photos, but unless you have impeccable natural lighting 16 hours a day, white walls don't always feel bright and fresh. All the white walls I've lived amongst end up feeling "blah" or institutional. I like how much personality comes through in a paint color–and how transformative color can be. But maybe I'm just tired of living in apartment buildings that don't allow repainting.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
We just bought a mid-century modern house and the original design had involved plain white painted walls (no tint at all), so we have dutifully restored it to that..even the people in the paint shop told us it would be far too white and stark, but it's actually really lovely, and clean. And it will look even better when we have some things on the walls… I'm all for white.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:19 pm
Come February, I'm always wishing for white. Then by July I have forgotten all about it.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
oh my… those leather {leather?} chairs are amaaazing.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
I have painter's remorse too. My walls are a lovely shade of barley…
February 9th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
i'm having white lust too. in a place it just won't work. but i know how you feel. :(
February 9th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
i love that mirror in the third image!
February 9th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
mmm, cacti
February 9th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
I didn't think I was a white wall person, but I love these images – like a breath of fresh air. These rooms are so crisp and clean – I may have to consider it. Really lovely.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:44 am
I'm painting all my walls white once Spring hits!!
February 10th, 2010 at 2:21 am
This is my interior aesthetic dream come true. When I lived in a loft I painted it entirely white, including the wood floors and ceiling pannels. It was beautiful. Thank you for this entry. Seriously, THANK YOU.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:59 am
White, uncluttered rooms make me feel so at peace. Ahhh…
~J
Quarterlife Curiosity
February 10th, 2010 at 4:02 am
Kate,
You're just like me! I am always changing my mind after I decorate. Today I just moved around almost every picture my husband hung a few months ago, but now I like the new look so much more!
xx
S.S. Dobbs
February 10th, 2010 at 4:42 am
What a beautiful space! Nice find. It's got such a clean feeling; so bright and cheery. Thanks for sharing.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:42 am
I used to have lime green and banana yellow and shocking blue walls, red accents, coral linens, etc. I loved and loved my colors back then. And then the flip hit so hard that I buy EVERYTHING in white now. Or paint it white. So perfect. But grey is great, too!
February 10th, 2010 at 10:03 am
We just visited a friends apartment for the first time this weekend and I was so jealous of her white walls/tiled floor/ceiling/painted furniture, all accented by great dark woods and vintage images. I totally feel you on the white and wish I was allowed to paint our apartment, too! Beautiful images!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
Yeah, that's why I can never bring myself to paint, no matter how much I like the colorful rooms of others. Too much color oppresses me. Something in my austere soul needs white walls, and I usually rely on the things in my house to add some color.
It's probably why I like snowy days, too.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
As a Canadian living in Copenhagen, Denmark, I laugh at how nearly EVERY home I visit is completely white! To answer your question, it IS a Scandinavian thing. When asked why they shy away from coloured walls, Danes simply answer "it's tradition." All I know is, it's a perfect backdrop for their stunning designs.
February 10th, 2010 at 2:11 pm
Don't worry about not having the white walls, I have been thinking the same thing lately about my house, but then realize that I LOVE COLOR. I'm about to paint my office gray, and even after reading your post I'm not worried about it. Color is like a delicious aftertaste to a room, it shouldn't be the main note, which is what I feel like a room is when it's ALL white. Don't second guess girl, there was a reason you decided on the gray!
February 10th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
It's so funny you say that because when I moved into my house I planned on painting everything white, but ended up keeping a couple walls as is (and colors) out of laziness. The dining room had been burgundy, but I chose to paint it gray – which took a full day with 4 people.
I feel really bad after all the work that went into painting the dining room gray, but now I'm realizing it looks so blah and I need to warm it up. It's hard to make a Victorian home built in 1900 look modern. My first instinct is to go white, but I'm wondering if I should go to a color… I think I'm going to try to work with the gray and maybe try out some decals and a rug.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
hahahahaaha! i JUST came to this conclusion about my house. . .that everything i keep falling in love with has all white walls. . and that i want to paint mine all white. after i finally convinced the husband that all the room should be colored…yellow, green, aqua. . .*SIGH* maybe i'll wait another year and then make them all white…
February 11th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Lovely post! I love white walls that way anything I put up on the walls just pop!
Cindy
http://www.creativeaccidents.etsy.com
February 12th, 2010 at 9:19 am
beautiful! love it
February 12th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
Hi Kate,
I am living in a rented apartment at the moment and my walls are a terrible soupy brown colour so I have decided to brighten it up with simple, minimalist big illustrations, white pillows and throws – it adds that airy feel you're after. By the way, i love love your blog and just started my own and get a lot of inspiration from yours!
all the ay from cape town, south africa!
February 16th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
You know I have always been a color on the walls person too… an apartment that just stays white?! Never. Whether it is grey or a light mocha I have always painted… however I too, like you, am starting to see the beauty of white walls- I really, really like it!
I hope you can convince the boyfriend to let you repaint… especially if it will make you happy :)
xoxo
February 17th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
these images are wonderful
March 9th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
I often find that it’s very fascinating on how individuals can look at an area and then determine the different ways of redecorating and or coordinating it. I enjoyed reading your observations and remarks and definately will look forward to implementing a number of your recommendations when they are applicable to my situation. In fact I’ve got a colleague right now who is the midst of a big redecorating situation and maybe I can help out.