Fifi ONeill - Shades of White: Serene Spaces for Effortless Living

shades of white

shades of white

SERENE SPACES FOR EFFORTLESS LIVING

oneill

photography by mark lohman

Published in 2021 by CICO Books

An imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd

2021 Jockeys Fields341 E 116th St

London WC1R 4BWNew York, NY 10029

www.rylandpeters.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text Fifi ONeill 2021

Design, illustration, and photography CICO Books 2021

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress and the British Library.

ISBN: 978 1 80065 060 2

E-ISBN: 978 1 80065 079 4

Printed in China

Photographer: Mark Lohman

Editor: Martha Gavin

Art director: Sally Powell

Production manager: Gordana Simakovic

Publishing manager: Penny Craig

Publisher: Cindy Richards

CONTENTS

The first of all single colors is white. We shall set down white for the representative of light, without which no color can be seen.

Leonardo da Vinci

WHITE HAS LONG INSPIRED VISIONS OF SERENITY AND EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE. LIKE A CHAMELEON, IT HAS THE UNCANNY ABILITY TO MORPH INTO MANY SHADES FROM EARTHY TO ICY WITH MANY NUANCED HUES IN BETWEEN. SIMPLY PUT, IN ALL ITS INCARNATIONS, WHITE IS MAGICAL.

WHETHER AS A BACKDROP OR ON FURNISHINGS, MUTED PALETTES AND SUBTLE SHADES RESULT IN SOOTHING AND STYLISH SPACES THAT LEND THEMSELVES TO ENDLESS DECORATING POSSIBILITIES. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SHADES OF WHITE. EVERY COLOR IN THE SPECTRUM HAS A WHITE VERSION WITH UNDERLYING FAINT HINTS OF TONALITY, EACH WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE BEAUTY. FROM FEMININE PASTELS TO EARTHY TONES AND UNDERSTATED NEUTRALS, WHITE IS NIMBLE, TIMELESS, AND ADAPTABLE TO ANY STYLE, WHETHER IT BE RUSTIC, MODERN, ROMANTIC, VINTAGE, OR CLASSIC. IT PAIRS EQUALLY WELL WITH PERIOD OR ECLECTIC FURNISHINGS AND ACCESSORIES, AND EASILY MAKES FRIENDS WITH OTHER COLORS.

THE HOMES FEATURED IN THIS BOOK EMBRACE THE ETHEREAL QUALITY SHADES OF WHITE IMPART TO INTERIORS, AND DEMONSTRATE WHY THE PEACEFUL HUES SOOTHING GRACE AND TRANQUIL CHARMS MAKE IT A PERENNIAL FAVORITE THE WORLD OVER.

A NEUTRAL PALETTE OF COOL WHITES MAXIMIZES LIGHT AND SPACE AND, WHEN LAYERED WITH TEXTURES AND TONE-ON-TONE HUES, CREATES A COCOON-LIKE CANVAS, MAKING IT EFFORTLESS TO USHER IN SUBTLE COLOR ACCENTS AND UNIFY ECLECTIC FURNITURE.

White is a classic symbol of purity. Delicate clusters of nodding blossoms never fail to make a space feel tranquil and magical.

Nature and light frame an intimate alcove where whites and a silver soaking tub up the spa-like atmosphere of a pristine bathroom.

Gleaming whites and mixed materials give this minimalist landing its harmonious appeal.

IN FINISHES, FABRICS, AND DESIGN ELEMENTS, TEXTURES THAT BEG TO BE TOUCHED PLAY A STARRING ROLE IN KEEPING WHITES WARM AND INVITING. LAYERING TEXTILES, WOVEN RUGS, WOODS, BOOKS, ORGANIC ACCESSORIES, ARCHITECTURAL ITEMS, SEAGRASS, AND RATTAN BRINGS INSTANT INTEREST, HEIGHTENS THE COZINESS QUOTIENT OF ANY ROOM, AND CONTRIBUTES CALM, SERENITY, AND A WARM WELCOME. TEXTURE IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT MATERIAL. PATTERNS CAN ALSO ADD A VISUAL DIMENSION BUT, AS WITH OTHER DECORATING COMPONENTS, BALANCE IS KEY.

When paint naturally loosens itself from a surface it reveals the character and age of the item. Although practicality requires the paint to be replaced, aesthetics allow it to continue its beautifully textural decay.

Combining different textiles, materials, shapes, and sizes is a great and easy way to show depth. Mixing knits, fabrics, faux fur, and more produces an organic, lived-in vibe. Here, white in shades of ivory, wax, and milk, is the unifying factor for linen, cotton, faux fur and shaggy pillows, and a chunky, creamy knitted throw.

Bleached leather, beautiful and intricate carvings on the Bakelite cover, and snippets of vintage ribbons and flowers give this handmade prayer book its eloquent beauty.

Contrasting elements are proof that opposites attract. Function and form come together in the lustrous smoothness of the vase and the organic disheveled appearance of remnants of dried twigs. Each element amplifies the finish and texture of the other.

JUST LIKE TEXTURES, FURNITURE IS AN INTEGRAL ELEMENT THAT DEFINES THE AESTHETIC AND FEEL IN PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INTERIORS. ORNATE DETAILS AND ELABORATE CARVINGS GIVE OLD WORLD PIECES THEIR UNIQUE PRESENCE; FLUID AND POLISHED ITEMS DEFINE MODERNITY; PAINTED FURNISHINGS DRESSED IN EASY- GOING TEXTILES CHARACTERIZE COTTAGE INTERIORS; AND HANDMADE, NATURAL COVERINGS AND RAW SURFACES EVOKE RUSTICITY.

Pairing a chair upholstered in antique grain sack with a simple hutch in a dove gray weathered finish sets an air of rural ease.

Aesthetically appealing carvings give a new and simple wood cabinet a subtly exotic vintage charm that makes it an eye-catching piece.