Don’t let its simplicity fool you: There’s a lot more to white than meets the eye. Reflecting the full spectrum of visible wavelengths both literally and metaphorically, white has the unique ability to convey minimal modernism and old-world elegance, crisp refinement and rumpled ease, sleek sensuality and ethereal purity with equal aplomb. From milky glassware to eggshell ceramics to sheer fabrics the color of a cumulus cloud, we’re newly enthralled with its eternal appeal.
Design
Sterile. Cold. Boring. The all-white room has gotten a bad rap—but only because it takes a sharply honed sense of style to get it right. When a light-on-light scheme is deployed with the skill of a talented decorator, the result can be positively transcendent. Whether you’re designing
a modern oasis or high-style haven, don’t skimp on form or material—because in a pure white palette, there’s nowhere to hide. Take a tour of our favorite examples throughout design history.
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In 1906, Charles Rennie Mackintosh rebutted heavy Victoriana with a light-as-air hand.
THE HUNTARIAN, UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW -
Completed in 1931, this bedroom designed by the queen of white herself, Syrie Maugham, was described by Billy Baldwin as “a fairy tale...with an almost ephemeral quality.”
ROGER STURTEVANT, TOBIN CLARK RESIDENCE, HILLSBOROUGH, CA, FROM THE ROGER STURTEVANT COLLECTION, THE OAKLAND MUSEUM OF CALIFORNIA -
Leave it to David Hicks to strike the perfect balance of simplicity and swagger: His wife Pamela’s dressing room at their home in Roquebrune-sur-Argens, France, photographed in 1967, is a master class in decorating.
DAVID HICKS ESTATE -
Jay Steffy helped define laid-back California luxe in the 1970s.
JAY STEFFY -
There’s no denying the clean-lined appeal of Angelo Donghia’s Manhattan duplex for Ralph and Ricky Lauren in 1980.
JAIME ARDILES-ARCE -
Terence Conran makes a case for simplicity in 1986.
GILLES DE CHABANEIX -
No one does polished yet pared-back like Stephen Sills, who designed this space in 2017.
FRANÇOIS HALARD/TRUNK ARCHIVE -
Vicente Wolf puts a new angle on casual chic in 2019.
VICENTE WOLF
Illuminate
White meets light, for a natural combination: The translucence of alabaster and glass reflects illumination from within, while the sculptural beauty of ceramic and plaster is highlighted—and radiance takes form.
Decorate
Enriched with intricate embroidery, woven geometries, rippling topography, or updated riffs on classics from Swiss dots to checks, these whisper-light fabrics are sheer genius when it comes to creating window treatments that catch the air—and your eye. (Check out more of Editor in Chief Dara Caponigro’s favorite white fabrics here.)
TOP ROW: Henri Wool Mohair Sheer by Patterson Flynn for Schumacher, schumacher.com. Copenhague by Élitis, elitis.fr. Trellis II by Rogers & Goffigon, rogersandgoffigon.com. Lazuli by Nobilis, nobilis.fr. MIDDLE ROW: Sheer Paper Silk Blend by Rose Uniacke, r-hughes.com. Bonneville Sheer by Schumacher, schumacher.com. Dotty by Rogers & Goffigon, rogersandgoffigon.com. BOTTOM ROW: Flight Path by Holly Hunt, hollyhunt.com. Mondrian Sheer by Schumacher, schumacher.com.
KEVIN KERRSet the Table
While starched white tablecloths might signal formality, these artfully formed finds in shades from eggshell to ivory bring a serenity, simplicity of palette, and textural richness to the table that’s anything but fussy.
Wear
If there was ever a reason to break the no-white-after-Labor-Day rule, it’s the stunning—and seasonless—looks that ruled the fall runways. With impactful silhouettes, fluid lines, and statement-making details, these designs prove that all-white dressing is a clear power move.
Becca Silk Halter Midi Dress by Altuzzara, $19,995, altuzarra.com
Canvas Double-Breasted Jacket ($1,890), Cotton Poplin Shirt ($1,150), Canvas Trousers ($1,250), and Stella Ryder Open Tote Bag ($2,350) by Stella McCartney, stellamccartney.com
The Freya Scarf-Detailed Shearling Coat by Brandon Maxwell, $14,500, brandonmaxwellonline.com
Dress and sweater by
Phoebe Philo, prices upon
request, phoebephilo.com
Crepe jumpsuit (€1,990) and clutch (€620) by Courrèges, courreges.com
Larys Dress with Detachable
Capelet by Adam Lippes, $2,990, adamlippes.com
Furnish
White furniture—whether modern, traditional, or somewhere in between—creates a moment of calm. Monochromatic yet far from monotonous, these pieces are proof that delicate details, mixed materials, and eye-catching silhouettes stand stronger in the unadulterated purity of white.
THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN VOLUME 17 OF FREDERIC MAGAZINE. CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE!
