Benjamin Moore announced their 2016 color of the year and I couldn’t be happier! I love using white to decorate. When decorating, white offers a clean, simple, and uncomplicated background onto which you can paint your personality and style.
White on White
White on white is one of the most popular trends right now, and possibly what inspired Ellen O’Neill, creative director at Benjamin Moore, to choose Simply White for 2016. White rooms are not a new trend, but I am glad they are making a comeback.
The White Room in Nieberow Palace in Poland
The White Ballroom in Nottoway Plantation House
White is bright and appealing and can be very inviting when done well. To avoid appearing sterile or boring, use angles and light, specific furniture pieces and accents, to create visual appeal. Consider adding a rug in an unusual texture or more than one shade of white for interest.
The Flexibility of White
Think of white like a painter’s canvas: the possibilities are limitless. Because white is such an exceptional canvas from which to work, you can build from a white room and add any kind of accents that suit your style.
Chrome, Glass, and Silver
Chrome, glass, and silver accents are a wonderful choice because they add brightness and reflection to the white to make it even more appealing to the eye. Mirrors framed in silver, chrome accent pieces, and glass table tops can create interesting lines and focal points in your white room.
Color Accents
One of the best reasons to decorate with white is that you can add or rotate different color accents. Whether you like to change the look of your room often or simply want to be able to reflect the change of seasons in your home décor, starting with a white palette lets you create any visual artistry you desire. Some of my favorites include black and white, pink and white, and yellow and white, but any color accent works with white.
White Kitchens and Bathrooms
Perhaps because white can be associated with cleanliness and sterility, all-white kitchens and bathrooms work very well. White also provides a brighter, more open-feeling space, which can be wonderful if you enjoy spending hours in the kitchen.
There has been a lot of consternation over the Benjamin Moore color choice for 2016, but I think it’s a wonderful trend that offers more flexibility than ever for any luxury home.