So here’s a dilemma for you. What happens when you’re nearing the finish line of a room makeover and decide hmmm, I think I like something completely and totally opposite? Shhhhh! Don’t tell The Boy! He might have another hernia. But yes, clutch the pearls, this has kinda happened to me. Well, not kinda…it really has happened. I’ve tried to hold it in. Deny it. But it just wants to burst out of me. I love decorating with neutrals! Egats! There, I said it!
While perusing Pinterest I started to notice it…the change. I was pinning spaces with a lot of neutrals…rooms with heavy texture, minimal color. I began to long for pure white walls. Crap, how did this happen?
I mean, there’s no turning back from where I’m at. And don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy with my home’s present state. But I can’t help but think, what would happen if I toned down the color? Would I love it more? Domaine referred to it as “French girl decorating” in one of their posts. Maybe that is the allure since French girls are always so sophisticated. Minimally put together perfectly. And I’m not sure how they do it, but they can make a gray sweatshirt and jeans look like runway material. Simple with feminine touches.
Here are some of the pretty white and neutral living rooms and bedrooms I’ve been pinning recently. Is it just me? What do you think? Meh or hells ya? Would you paint your walls pure white? Have any paint color suggestions?
I love the idea of “French Girl” decorating. That’s a good name for style found in these beautiful photos. I, however, love color. There are no white walls in my home. LoL So what I’m doing now is incorporating white accent pieces to bring a breath if fresh air into my space. Thanks for the inspiring post.
I went through the same thing a few years ago. I toned down my aqua colored walls and went with a white bedroom. I couldn’t help myself! haha It was so impulsive but I have been super happy with the decision since. I really love that minimal look.
I like it the best in bedrooms. It’s just so clean and fresh!
The older I get the lighter I want my walls. The less clutter I want. Love the spaces you have shown us.
Thanks so much Janet! And thanks for stopping by!
I am experiencing the SAME thing! I have this urge to lighten everything (and redo the whole house). I have a suspicion that once I do, I’ll crave color again-haha. I fully blame Pinterest and the internet for my design style ADD. However, I do love my white daughter’s room-it’s so fresh and bright.
Good luck with the dilemma! Have a great week.
ha. I’m off-trend I think. Just painted the bottom half of our guest bedroom dark! lol. I do love the inspiration images you’ve shown though and I just told my hubby that I think I would like our living room lighter. Hmm… he wasn’t on board so I don’t see it happening. Can’t wait to see your reveal.
I’m desparately wanting white walls!! My main floor is so dark. When I first moved in 10yrs ago we did a neutral beige ( boring!! ). Two years ago it need a refresh so I debated on going white to lighten it up. I had always been a ‘some sort of colour on your walls’ kinda girl so I chickened out and went for a slightly darker warmer beige ( double boring ). This spring I’m painting it all white!! The whole living room is getting a makeover. Good bye boring beige walls…..good bye nasty stained and oversized beige couch….good bye broken coffee table!!
Love this!! In the second image is that a fig tree? Real or artificial. Where did you find it. Thanks!!!
Hi Mary! Yes, that is a fiddle fig tree plant. And a beautiful one at that. The photo was not shot by me, but my guess is that it is real. They had a beautiful faux one at Pottery Barn a couple weeks ago, but I can’t seem to find it anywhere. There’s another at Z Gallerie, but I haven’t see that one in person.
Hello! Where is that credenza from in the second photo?
Hi Beth! You’re going to hate this answer…it’s vintage. But…I did a quick search on Etsy and found a very similar one for you =)
So gorgeous! I absolutely love the wooden cabinet. BEAUTIFUL!
I always have the same dilemmas, feeling very bipolar regarding to design.
I’m so happy to read that it’s kinda normal, as others – you – go through it too.
By the way, I’m waiting for my husband to leave on a trip, and hell yes, I’m painting the family room Simple White by Sherwin Williams!!!
Gorgeous places you pinned…
Love the white walls, we have light tan & looks so 2000,s! It really pops with the green plants & I’ve been dying to get my own Fiddle Leaf Fig tree!!
I had my whole house done in white, with white furniture and only few accessories in gold or silver. It does look fresh & elegant and most of all it’s timeless…. +everything goes as whatever you buy will stand out
I’ve had so many different colored walls and moved to White walls with White trim 7 years ago! I will never be sick of it. In fact I want less things in my house that are not natural wood or neutral in color as time goes on. I love the peace of less stuff and less color. Hope it works for you.
I too love neutral colors and white, creamy alabaster white with texture and something organic. I am in the process lighting up every room in my house and I find myself happier with each elimination. Leaving empty space is a beautiful thing to reflect on.
Beautiful work. Do you have the resource for the swing-arm wall light? I am looking for one like this for a client. Thank you.
Did you just read my mind and heart? Been preoccupied and always drawn towards whites interior…. Been redoing the whole house room by room. Done with twi bedrooms in whites and loving it!
I am a white wall junkie. 85% of the spaces i’ve pinned have white walls! However, I was dismayed when I found this post from Emily Henderson: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/design-mistake-3-painting-a-small-dark-room-white
As much as I hate to admit it, she is totally right! We can’t let photoshop editing trick us into thinking that every room should be white and therefore bright and airy. You need the right amount of natural light in the space first. *sigh, I learn something new about design every day I guess.
I am DREAMING of having ALL of my rooms nice, bright and WHITE It’s soooo much easier to add one pop of color by placing a case of flowers on the table