Monday, June 18, 2012

White on White

Over the past few years all white interiors {or mostly white} have been all the rage... From houses, to offices, and hotels have been using this color to create memorable spaces. As great as this color is it poses a bit of a problem to everyone: Dirt! Here are a few tips I always considered when I used white in my design projects.


Houses located on the beach or the countryside are preferable to stay away from totally white floors because the nature of this places include people with sandy or muddy shoes that leave marks all over the floor. If you have white floors already, place a floor mat at the entrance of the house and baskets where people can leave their shoes.


If you're going for all white seating in your leaving room the best advice is to opt for slip covers that can be taken off and laundered. The best fabric to use is a cotton one that can be easily washed at home as son synthetic one might shrink or be dry clean only.


Your walls are always the most troublesome {especially shots with kids!}. Matte finishes show dirt the fastest because they stain easily and cannot be cleaned as they absorb everything. My advice is to go for eggshell finishes in most wall areas and glossier ones on door frames and wall bases... of course, always keep a paint chip for retouching.


White tile... the hardest thing to keep clean and pristine. If you just installed new tile make sure that you seal the grout many times over {about 5 or 6} before you use the shower or sink for the first time. For cleaning grout, you can use baking soda with warm water and a brush, or spray it with a beach based cleaner and leave it over night... remember to rinse well before use.

Have a great and bright day!

37 comments:

  1. I do love white on white - and there´s so many different whites! :-)

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  2. I love total white but the upkeep seems difficult.
    However this post is fantastic and very helpful.

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  3. Love white colors for the home! xoxo

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  4. God I LOVE all White interior but I can only imagine how hard it would be to clean yes....I don't think I could handle it if I had kids! This picture inspiration is amazing though.

    Anna xo
    http://www.lifesshinyprettythings.blogspot.com.au/

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  5. That's a really great tip about grout because it does get dirty oh so easily

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  6. Love the selection of image and the contrast of the white with the wooded floors. xoxo

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  7. I love the simplicity of the white on white, but I agree with the floors! My bathroom has all white tile and it is a PAIN in the butt to get the whole thing cleaned!

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  8. That top image was one of my very first pins. Love it. And I love white on white, I always wanted to do it, but I am too crazy for color.

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  9. Great tips! I love a nice clean white, but it takes a lot of effort to maintain!

    xoxo,
    Chic 'n Cheap Living

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  10. Thanks for the tips! I love the look of white, but with a dog and two kids, it's tough to keep looking pristine!

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  11. It's been three years with my all white walls/baseboards and I wish I had read this post before :)
    The baseboards are not glossy paint and they drive me nuts. Think we will have to repaint them.

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  12. Love all the white on white inspiration...I never tire of it!! Have a wonderful week! xx

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  13. I am such a sucker for white! And great tip about the grout. Nothing kills white like mold.

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  14. amazing pictures! i love the all white bathroom!

    www.beckspick.com

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  15. ALL about this! Such a clean, crisp & fresh look. One day I would love to have an all white bedroom...or the bathroom is pretty fabulous, too! XO brynn

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  16. I have always wanted to live in a pristine white home. J isn't all that crazy about the idea but I think I'm going to give it a shot in the bedroom first :)

    xoxo

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  17. Love white - I find it so refreshing. But I would never get white seating - I'd be too upset if I spilled on it (which I inevitably would!).

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  18. Love your tips Eli, especially as I just gave away one of my "new" white couches and am on my next round--white is wonderful but has it's drawbacks, haha! Hope you had a great weekend!

    xo Mary Jo

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  19. I love the first picture. Thanks for all the tips, especially on the slipcovers.

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  20. Uh oh, we're painting our bedroom with white matte paint right now. Hope it doesn't get dirtied up immediately!

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  21. I used to say never to the all white look - but I'm loving it more and more. It looks so fresh and lovely.

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  22. I do love white, but I always worry about dirt! Maybe I'll stick to natural...

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  23. These are gorgeous photos! I love the white - especially in kitchens and bathrooms. Seems clean and light :)

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  24. Beautiful design inspiration and tips!! White is a no-go in our home right now, our corridor is white...and it's got messy hand prints all over, that I'm always cleaning!! Time to paint! I do love white at beach houses or in hotels, it always feels so open, refreshing and relaxing for the mind.

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  25. I love white rooms. The floor in the first picture is sooooooo beautiful.
    Hooray for white walls , we just turned our lounge room one into a cinema screen last night.

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  26. So true! It's beautiful, but so hard to take care of. Great advice!
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  27. I agree that white is beautiful but difficult to keep clean. It's also difficult to pull off unless you know what you are doing.

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  28. I never knew that about matte finish wall paint. Nice to know.

    I like white, but hate cleaning. I don't mind the idea of white tiles and black grout though. I wonder if that's any easier to manage.

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  29. Awesome tips, Elie! I love the look of white on white, but I could never have it since I have cats. I can't even imagine what a disaster that would be.

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  30. Great tips, because I DO love white!
    Thank you so much.
    I hope you've had a wonderful beginning to your week!

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  31. Love all white decor! xoxo
    http://www.hellohellofriday.com/

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  32. This look is so fresh and clean. I especially like it with wood floors, especially since trying to keep white floors pristine is next to impossible. Thanks for the design inspiration!

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  33. Ah that bathroom has me swooning. So so lovely.

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  34. i loooove white looking rooms, too bad i have a brown dog! i still try though...haha :)

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  35. That hallway was gorgeous :)

    White on white is such a great decorating tip!

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  36. Love that first photo! Would love a sitting room like that...
    Ronnie xo

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  37. I really love white interiors, but with a bold colour! The second image is my favourite, it looks so comfortable and inviting. I love a refreshing hotel feeling of the first room as well.

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