Who said you can’t wear white after Labor Day (other than my mother!)? Well, I’ve never been one to follow the “fashion” rules and I tend to make up my own design rules too. As much as I love bright colors like orange and turquoise, I equally love a nice crisp white palette. I like to use white as a statement in and of itself. When I use white, it’s usually all white.
I like white to stand on its own instead of being used as a canvas. It has so much more to say!
White is an amazing way to showcase architecture. I use white to unify unrelated spaces and to lift and bounce light.
This image is from one of my historic restoration projects in the Wicker park neighborhood of Chicago. The addition to the back of this Victorian Italianate manse was designed to be wholeheartedly modern while the front part of the home was restored to the original architectural splendor. A true seamless blending of old and new!
These three dimensional architectural wall panels installed in my own home in Arizona shown below is one of my favorite images ever. White can have so much dimension!
White feels crisp, clean and eternal—especially in the bath. Many of my past client bathroom projects have been in the color “white”–whether all white, mixed with a neutral grey, or for the classic contrast of black and white.
Using white for kitchens and dining spaces instantly brightens up the space.
White subway tiles for kitchens are one of my faves….especially in unexpected sizes or with unique textures.
White also rocks a as pairing with one of my other can’t resist elements–lucite.
It just instantly adds a glam ++ factor!
And of course nothing gives you the the “Five-star Hotel” feeling like crisp white sheets. A white bedroom can be a most needed calming retreat.
Incorporated the right way, white can be the answer all year round-every day and in every way!
xx,
Julia
All images used here are from the archives of Buckingham Interiors + Design and photographed by Eric Hausman