COLOR OF THE MONTH | Wintertime in Pure White

To end a colourful year – this December we are going all white.

Christmas is just around the corner and whilst we may be left dreaming of a white Christmas, here at Italianbark we forecast a guaranteed white out this month! This winter we bring you the wonder of pure white.

TIMELESS WHITE

white interior design color trend

White is purity, innocence, wholeness, completion and the colour chosen for this month.

It may be questioned whether white is in fact a colour – it is an achromatic colour, which means it is a colour without a hue. White, the colour of snow – is often used to represent coolness and simplicity. Crisp and clean, with a touch of softness – like a fresh fall of snow. The expression “white as snow” is used in reference to the pure, clean and innocent.

However white is not just for Christmas, the beauty and brilliance of white has all year-round appeal. One brand that has seduced us by the ultimate timeless elegance of white, is most suitably named –The White Company.

Throughout the western countries white is traditionally worn by brides – to signify purity and innocence. In certain cultures, white is the colour of royalty or of religious figures – angels are typically “angelic” depicted as wearing white or having a white glow. White has been a staple of art, history, and culture for many eras. In fact, it is recorded as the first colour ever to be used in art – Paleolithic artists used white calcite and chalk to draw.

In Victorian times, a bright white didn’t exist the closest colours were creams or off-whites, made with chalk, lead or lime. True, pure white was achieved, but only fairly recently. The introduction of titanium dioxide into domestic paint in the 20th century meant achieving brilliant white finishes became possible. The addition of titanium dioxide in the 1940s created a strong, safe, long lasting bright white and a snowballing of new interior schemes. Also referred to as perfect or whitest white, titanium dioxide as a pigment is able to scatter visible light, resulting in an opaque, bright colour. For 1960s pop-art inspired interiors bright whites were essential. An all-white modern mid- century decorating scheme provides the perfect background for a dramatic pop of art.

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White – an inherently positive colour is associated with innocence, light, illumination, sincerity, and perfection.

‘White is cleanliness personified, the ultimate in purity!’

t affects the mind and body by aiding in mental clarity, encouraging feelings of fresh beginnings and can give your life a sense of order, efficiency and meaning, helping to de-clutter from all the negative aspects. While there maybe few negative connotations to white, particularly in western culture, too much white can be cold, isolating and empty. Too immaculate and it can make you feel as though you can’t move anything, for the fear of upsetting the pristine aesthetic or creating mess.

PURE WHITE IN INTERIORS

Timeless and endlessly adaptable, white interiors have been popular throughout the times – from period property interiors through to modern architectural spaces and Scandinavian minimalism.

White conveys simplicity and is suggestive of new beginnings; represents the clean slate, helping us through times of stress, and allowing us to put the past behind us preparing us to move on. The colour has the property of bringing calmness, comfort, and hope into our homes. White provides a blank canvas to be creative as you want to be! If you choose to go all-white interior, to avoid it looking bland, introduce texture to different surfaces – create a textural, layered look. Play with light and shade- use lighting to cast a warm glow whilst shade can create interesting and different nuances of white. Scandinavian interiors continue to be a big trend– ‘maximising light and space, with a pared-back neutral palette of cool whites, blonde wood and minimalist furnishing.’ Look to interior designers Maison Hand for a glamorous modern twist on traditional all white. The wonder with white is whatever your style, its versatility means it works just as well with minimalists or maximalists.

Let’s finish with wise words from the founder of The White Company – Chrissie Rucker.