CHRISSIE RUCKER’S TOP 10 WAYS TO WOW with WHITE
FINE-TUNE YOUR STYLE
It’s important to work out what you need from each space, and to identify which design styles you love or are less keen on.
UNDERSTAND YOUR NEEDS AND PREFERENCES
This will avoid any confusion. For me, all great home design projects have a strong ‘core essence’ that fluidly connects spaces and objects. The backdrop foundations begin with ideas for flooring, surfaces, hardware, paint and wallpaper, and these make the decorative decisions that follow much easier.
CREATE A MOODBOARD
Tools such as Pinterest are helpful in seeking out ideas. It’s also worthwhile having a physical moodboard that pulls together foundation ideas, which you can move around your home and view in situ. I often try to single out one image (no more than three) to sum up the core mix of materials I want to use.
LAYER ON THE ACCESSORIES
Overlay your moodboard with ideas for decorative finishes, including furniture, curtain and upholstery fabrics, lighting and accessories. The way you choose to accessorise and dress your spaces will make your home feel unique.
ORDER SAMPLES
Once you’ve decided on your key materials, order in samples. Layer them together to check they work in reality – they can be very different from how you imagined.
CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED WHITE PAINT
Mine is Slate I (top right) from Paint & Paper Library. We’ve used it throughout our London home – on walls, doors, cornices, ceilings and window frames. I love the quiet, harmonious foundation it’s created.
IT’S ALL IN THE TESTING
There are so many whites available and they look so different from home to home. Always test colours on white paper, never directly on the walls, and paint the sample edge to edge, to avoid reflections that distort the finish.
CONSIDER FURNITURE
Quality, comfort and practicality are key considerations when choosing furniture, so think about lifestyle needs to determine what is important to you.
CURATION IS KEY
Curating the finishing touches is transformative. Simple additions, such as an artful display of ceramics, well-placed textiles and layered styling on beds, shelves and tables, will heighten the visual appeal.
THINK ABOUT THE BIGGER PICTURE
If you’re designing a whole house at once, consider rooms together to ensure the spaces flow and connect. If you’re at the start of a longer, slower project, don’t compromise on choices. It’s worth getting your core ideas clear at the outset to help you achieve a cohesive finish.