The Magic of ‘White on White’

By Chirag Sharma

Photography: Courtesy World Wide Web

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Bask in the dramatic aura of unadulterated sophistication. Usher in a white summer…

It is indeed amazing what colour can do!! But in the absence of vivid hues, with only white – which is basically a sum of all colours, yet a lack of them; ‘white on white’ is a powerful concept. The idea is to dramatize it to the hilt.White is a magical colour –clear and strong, with no subtleties. White communicates characteristics of uncompromising excellence, material aspiration, efficiency, drama, sophistication, modernity, and 'high-tech'. The notions of purity, simplicity, nakedness, lightness, newness, spirituality, are all associated with white.

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White opens spaces and creates room for thought. It requires a heightened sense of balance and skill to compose white with the surrounding colours but as trends have it today, there are several options available to achieve a “white on white” scheme.

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Without the distraction of colour, one considers the outline, the interior space, the proportions and the relationships of objects in the surrounding. It becomes, in a sense, architectural, where the totality of the object vibrates in space. The ambiance dazzles the beholder, accentuating the simplicity of pure lines and form.

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In order to make a “white on white” décor vivid and successful, the white in fabrics –whether upholstery or drapes - should be well matched with the white on the walls, white in the accessories – contrasting and complementing, fake and real, natural and artificial, hand-made and man-made materials to achieve the desired effect.

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White turns the spotlight on itself. Whether white and cream, white and taupe, or white and pink, white on white features a wide range of styles from classic country to urban minimal.

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Some useful tips: 

• When using white as upholstery – try loose covers, so that they can be washed easily.
• Create the dramatic - add white-on-white contrasts by displaying just a single white rose in a sheer glass beaker or white pebbles to a sheer glass jar filled with water. 

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• Use whites from the cream end of the spectrum to create warmth and from the blue end to keep it cool. 
• Create a focal point using a wall hanging, painting, or an artifact that has just a sprinkling of colour on an all-white backdrop. 
• To add a touch of melodrama – wear a striking shade of white while entertaining!