White: Interesting and Inviting.

In days gone by white has been the traditional safe but boring hue. Not today, white has come out with personality.

There are usually two emotions linked to the color white, love or hate. It has always been a color that will work with anything and has been the safe decision of many a homeowner looking to sell, as well as many apartments. This overuse of the color has led people to believe that the color is dull and lifeless. However that is not always the case.

White will lighten the darkest area and is clean, neat and serene. It is the perfect background for loud artwork and contemporary furnishings. This is why art gallery's and museums are so fond of the color.

Lately white has become more personable than you may believe. Paint manufacturers have begun to offer the color with varying tones. You can get white now with coffee, mint, pink, and even violet undertones. On a sample card they may come across as a pastel but once applied to the wall they are whites with a whisper of hue that can be either warm or cool.

Like any other color painting or staining the trim in contrasting colors will enhance the white and done correctly will bring out the underlying color tint in the white.

For example, pure white will make beige or tan walls look a bit darker in contrast while cool whites will look fresh when the boarder is bright. Use caution before outlining antique or cream colors with pure white as the former may look dingy in comparison. Always use a test board before covering your walls in paint.

Using a white on white technique can create a mood that is contemplative and relaxing. When everything is the same color you will focus on shapes and textures more than the walls. This will allow the furnishings in the room to take center stage.

To keep things exiting add texture to the room. Things like smoother china, fuzzy chenilles, weathered boards will all have a different reflective quality and will offer the eyes something to focus on as well as inviting touch.

Do not be afraid to use differing shades of white. In most cases white will either be warm, with yellow, rose or beige undertones, or cool having gray, or ice blue tints. Your off- white colors such as antique, ivory, cream, or ecru create a cozy warmth while remaining in the white family. Grayed tones can look grungy next to pure whites, many decorators avoid bright white altogether for its tendency to make other hues look dirty.

There is no room anywhere that is completely white. Accents like plants, pictures and accessories bring color into the room preventing the sterile feel of total white. These contrasts will only enliven the beauty of this technique.

Don't go overboard on the white, a white area filled with white accessories is just to much. Add in neutral tones and some natural texture and the white remains a crisp, calm background for your relaxation. White is versatile enough to work in either a contemporary home or a modern country style home.

In order to accomplish that lived in feel incorporate a full variety of natural wood tones. Everything from blond to ebony are great choices for art frames and accent pieces. Leave beautiful wooden floors bare with a cute little throw rugs for added texture. Choose wicker for furniture or storage and choose some weathered wood or rusted metal for even more optional surfaces.

If your goal is more white then use these accessories sparsely. Want more color, bring in more neutral colors. Along with the normal browns, beiges and grays try olives, blue-gray and gray-green, anything you would find in the great outdoors.

For many of us with children or pets white can seem to be the worse choice in the world. However don't dismiss it out of hand, new finishes like eggshell and satin latex are easily washable. All those sticky hand a paw prints wipe right off. Choose washable slip covers on your couch or love seat this will give you the desired impact while keeping it easy to clean.

If you are someone who likes to change the look of a room often then white is the color for you. New curtains, bed spreads and slip covers are easy to incorporate into a white room. Your white walls become the backdrop on which you place your unique personality.

The fabric, pictures, rugs and accents become the carriers of the color instead of the walls. In the sitting room furnishings, accent rugs and slipcovers will have the most impact on the style of the room. And in the bedroom it is as easy as changing the bedding to change the look and feel.

Dining rooms, kitchens and bathrooms are not immune to this technique. Fabrics on the windows, chair seats, shower curtains and towels all play a part in the color game and you can add art and what nots to emphasize it.

To highlight your artwork keep the fabrics simple and free of patterns, opt for solid colors in a wide range of color. When you have white as the constant theme throughout the house you can give each room a personal color palette without disrupting the flow.

The best thing about white as a starting point is that it allows you to add bold colors that you love without being overwhelming.

Leon Tuberman has almost 40 years of experience in interior design and home furnishings. He owns a popular Los Angeles furniture store that specializes in handmade Mission, Traditional, Contemporary, Shaker and Amish furniture for your home. They carry a large selection of solid oak, maple, cherry, mahogany and hickory bedroom, living room, home office and dining room sets that's crafted in the Heartland of America and is built to last for generations.