I Love White September 16 2012

 For me, there is nothing I like more in the world of interiors than a white wall. It makes me melt. And no, my style is not modern minimalist (if only you could see the room in which I am writing this right now), I have a lot of stuff. It's like I am a magnet (sucker) for anything that can make it's way into my house and into a comfy spot - I'm also not good at throwing stuff out, but I'm working on it and that is a whole other blog post! I like old but I also like new, I like boho eclectic but also conservative period pieces and not only do I love white but I also can't resist colour. And I think many people are like me, it takes a lot of discipline to stick to a look and not like anything that doesn't fit with that look.

A simple but eclectic room using white as a base for building character via Alvhem Makleri & Interior

I also have the affliction of 'this would be perfect for when'... Many of you reading this will know what I mean. It's that little voice that chirps up when you first see something and says 'this (insert item) would be perfect for when (insert scenario)'. Here are some of my recent examples; 'this heavily embellished dress would be perfect for when I'm taken out to dinner somewhere lovely', 'these four old school bench seats will be perfect for when we have the ideal dining/outdoor table', 'this chair on Trademe would be perfect recovered', 'this giant black angle poise floor lamp would be perfect beside the recovered chair', 'this day bed would be perfect for when we have the sunroom'. I do not need to go on.

What I like to think my bedroom looks like via Alvhem Makleri & Interior

Anyway, there is nothing that will make all your stuff "go together" more than a white wall. White walls (note there are about a billion shades of white to choose from) look fresh, clean and to be honest, they look more expensive. Maybe it's something to do with keeping it clean (it's really not hard) or the other connotations that white brings, but, they really do look better*. They also enhance colours, wood and other natural feature elements like leather (check out our Recycled Leather Floor Rugs here for the perfect touch of leather luxe).

Rustic table setting against a clean white wall & white washed floor via My Scandinavian Home

White walls also reek of potential and 'this would be perfect for when' moments. One of the best tricks in selling a house is to paint it all white inside so that buyers literally see it as a blank canvas to make their own. The Scandinavians do this perfectly, they even white wash the wooden floors, giving homes a warm feeling and making small apartments look huge.

A tiny Swedish apartment looking huge via Alvhem Makleri & Interior

In New Zealand we are only just discovering it it feels like. You only have to look through Trademe Property to see the effects of dark red feature walls, "warm" yellow rooms and blue teenage boy's bedrooms. Cringe. How are you supposed to make your "stuff go" when the walls of your home are like a colour wheel? Short answer, you can't*. 

Off white & oatmeal with fuchsia highlights via Tooth Fairy Fashion Tale

Having white walls allows you to buy that fuchsia Morrocan Leather Pouf from LET LIV, those colour pop cushions, that striped rug or paint that side board yellow, it then allows you to change your mind and move things around when you find something else that's 'perfect for when'.

*In my opinion.