HOW TODECORATE WITHWHITE

White walls – what could be easier? Well, yes and no. With the simplicity of white comes the challenge of creating interest and balance without being overly-fussy – there’s nowhere to hide in a bright white scheme. The good news is that it’s relatively easy with a little know-how.

Starting with the walls, the trick here is to be guided by the light. ‘North-facing rooms will have a cool, constant light that can take softer, warmer shades of white to help to cancel out any coldness while south-facing rooms can have a very “hot” light, and so a white with more blue in it will help balance out the yellow glow of bright sunshine,’ explains interior designer Atlanta Bartlett, who has written several books on pale and all-white interiors.

With so many shades of white to choose from, picking a shade can be a bit of a minefield. Little Greene recommends its cooler whites, such as French Grey Pale or Gauze for south-facing rooms. Warmer shades such as White Lead or First Light will appear quite cream in tone here but will brighten a north-facing space. Atlanta suggests thinking about what style of room you want to create: ‘Is it a sleek modern space? An earthy natural scheme? A sophisticated elegant room or a relaxed beach vibe? Deciding on your “story’’ will automatically narrow down the shades of white that will be right for you,’ she assures.

For a contemporary feel, blonde wood is a natural match for white – think pale floorboards, beds, side tables and dining furniture with that relaxed Scandi charm. Look at similarly honeyed tones in natural flooring, such as jute and sisal – the added warmth will balance out any sterility and add texture.

Natural materials bring feel-good factor to a pale scheme and Joanna Thornhill, in her new book, The New Mindful Home (Laurence King, £14.99), explains how the move towards natural is leading to a revival in materials such as cork, rattan and wicker. ‘Cork has shaken off its dated reputation as a new generation learns to appreciate its plentiful eco credentials and versatility along with the physical warmth it can bring to the home,’ she says. ‘It’s increasingly cropping up in flooring or moulded furnishings, with designers allowing its natural matt good looks to shine through. Natural cotton and linen are other eco-conscious choices for interiors with hemp and bamboo giving organic cotton a run for its money. They produce strong natural fibres and come from high-yield crops that are sustainable and renewable.’

As you are building layers, consider texture – and in quite subtle ways too. It’s a good opportunity to experiment with the shifts in the way objects catch the light. Play with a range of heights, shapes and sizes, and mix up the surface finish to include high gloss, satin, chalky and flat matt alongside chunkier patterns. Adding in some natural elements such as flint pebbles as well as flea shop finds that are perfectly imperfect will help build a rich display. Then mirror some of these textures across the room – a chunky knitted footstool, a milk glass lampshade, a couple of pieces of furniture in chalk paint or weathered finished.

‘Nature can be the best teacher,’ says Atlanta. ‘Think glistening water lapping at soft sand, powdery snow dusting rough bark or dew drops on a leaf. Translate this to your home with a glistening crystal chandelier hanging over a rustic wood dining table, a raw linen armchair in front of the gentle sheen of an antique mirror, a soft sheepskin rug combined with leather and velvet, utilitarian aluminium cafe chairs alongside retro basket weave lampshades or a rusty metal table on a polished concrete floor.’