Decorating with white

Touring a designer's show house last summer in South Hampton, New York, I was amazed to overhear the diverse opinions elicited by an all white living room. One visitor found the room 'sterile and antiseptic'; another remarked on the 'purity of vision and lack of artifice', some found the room warm; many commented that the room was cold. How is it that one colour (er... rather, an absence of colour) elicits such a dichotomy of opinion?

Jason Cass, host of One House, Two Looks and Canadian distributor of Farrow & Ball, the venerated English paint brand, says that, "People misunderstand white. Often, it's assumed that white is a 'standard', a tone that is uniformly agreed upon. In fact, white is a wide range of tones and hues like any colour."

The precise shade of white is dictated by the undertone. When decorating with fine antiques and rich wood floors, I opt for whites that are slightly yellowed. This adds an authentic patina to traditional rooms since the white pigments used prior to the 20th century had a tendency to darken and yellow with age. In contrast, for modern lofts, I nearly always work with stark whites or blue-whites. Again, an authentic choice since brilliant wasn't invented until the 1920's. For powder rooms and dining rooms, my first choice might be a rosy or blush white.

Recently Cass redecorated his Muskoka cottage and I asked him if being in the paint business made choosing a new colour scheme difficult. Not at all, he insisted, "I wanted a wall colour that wouldn't compete with the views and would give the main rooms a fresh, sunny feel. White was my first choice and as far as I'm concerned, the only choice." For the walls Cass opted for a creamy, bisque white, Farrow & Balls Lime White and accented the trim in a sharper, Strong White, creating a subtle but purposeful contrast.

Below are some of my favourite whites and a little guidance on how you might use them:

Modern White

When it comes to decorating ultra modern, urban lofts and condos, nothing defines the space like a crisp white. Just under the surface of modern whites you are likely to find a blue undertone. This range of white works beautifully paired with charcoal, gun metal silver, icy blue, and black. It is also simply the very best choice to highlight pastel colours within a room.

• All White #2005, Farrow & Ball: pure and clean, this is a bright summery white
• James White #2010, Farrow & Ball: a slick white that is best described as "the colour of glass"; an ideal choice for urban bathrooms
• White Mountain # 1543, ICI: crystal clean, this white is a chameleon, blending harmoniously with nearly any colour imaginable
• Decorator's White CC-20, Benjamin Moore: 5 million decorators can't be wrong
• White P1881-0, Para Paints: the name says it all

Romantic White

Envision flea market finds in shades of chalky gray or a Swedish palazzo with northern light streaming in the windows. The romantic whites are grey-based and they bring a dreamy, ethereal presence to walls. This range of white works in both traditional and contemporary interiors. Gray white marries well with any gray-toned colour including Wedgwood blue, sage green, and dusty rose.

• Shaded White #201, Farrow & Ball: don't let the grayness deter you; there's nothing cold about this mushroom white
• Off-White #3, Farrow & Ball: slightly less grey than Shaded White
• Romance 1479, ICI: like the name says, this is an ideal white for bedrooms and dining rooms
• Ballet White OC-9, Benjamin Moore: I frequently use this colour for trim; especially when I want to contrast with yellow or putty walls
• White Plume P2242-2, Para Paints: just a hint of gray, a truly mellow white

Antique White

Nothing enhances the look and feel of fine antiques and old wood floors like a mellow, yellow white. This range of white is reliable; providing sunny warmth to northern interiors.

• New White #59, Farrow & Ball: clean and bright, yellowy whites are ideal for European decor
• Antique White 2001, ICI: this is one of my all time favourites; particularly effective paired with glossy, rich woods like mahogany and cherry
• Floral White OC-29, Benjamin Moore: try this in the kitchen next to white appliances where it won't compete; instead it will enliven
• Notepaper P834-4, Para Paints; this has the mellow look of aged parchment

Blush White

With just a mere suggestion of rose beneath the surface, these whites are lusty and youthful - and sure to flatter nearly all skin tones. Though this range has femininity below the surface, paired with strong neutrals like chocolate brown, charcoal gray, and black; they make a handsome statement.

• Dimity #2008, Farrow & Ball: just a blush of colour; ideal for powder rooms
• White Snow 500, ICI: I love this rosy white paired with pale green. Try it on ceilings.
• White Blush OC-86, Benjamin Moore: young and fresh Barely Pink P1814-4, Para Paints: a warm, rosy hue; paired with crisp white, it's a winner with young girls