Blending clean white decor accents with warm wooden elements creates soothing and serene home interiors that quiet the mind and soothe the soul. With that said, how do we combine this naturally complementary colour scheme into an impactful design that’s set to impress our house guests? We’ve sourced two inspirational home tours that we think hit the balance between tranquil and impactful just right. Join us as we wander through chic white and wood lounges, impressive dining rooms, elegant kitchen installations, and peaceful bedroom designs with standout style. We’ll discover creative contrasts between fresh white furniture and wood slatted feature walls, rounded wooden wall panels that create flow, and high-end home styling ideas.
Chequerboard pattern makes a high-contrast statement across the living room of our first featured home design. A modular sofa lays fresh white upholstery on top, alongside matching white ottomans and crisp white coffee tables.
The large area rug holds the fragmented furniture items together as one cohesive lounge layout.
A tartan throw lays tonal contrast onto the plain, light sofa upholstery to create added interest.
The base of the square coffee tables are designed to store books and extra throws, which leave the surface clear for drinks and snacks, or more decorative items like candle holders.
A wooden bench rounds out the seating arrangement and serves as a subtle visual stop between the main lounge and a second seating area. A modern fireplace forms a cosy focal point for the room.
We know black and white is kind of our thing, but even we can’t resist the thrills of experimenting with color in our homes. Besides, color isn’t an all or nothing game. Even when used in small doses, bright and bold hues can instantly liven up a space and create a fun, joyful atmosphere. So if you’re a color-shy neutrals loyalist, or a color maximalist unsure of where to start, we’re here to tell you that there are plenty of easy ways to master color in your home. From paint and wallpaper to furniture and decor – we’re sharing our top tips for infusing your home with color. For more modern decor, check out the Design Milk Shop!
Keep it Simple
Photo: Dazey Den
We know how overwhelming the paint aisle can be but before you go into a swatch induced panic, take this piece of advice from interior designer Dani Dazey of Dazey Den, “I suggest choosing a primary and secondary color in a room, and then tie them in whenever you can in the accents and decor.” Starting your color journey with a primary and secondary shade in mind will keep the space from becoming too busy and help maintain balance as you add decorative pieces. If having two principal colors sounds like too much to you already, Dazey goes on to say, “Something I always suggest to the color curious is trying out an accent wall or small shape mural.”
When it comes time to actually shop for paint, we’re big fans of Backdrop. Unlike the aisles of your local home improvement store, buying paint from Backdrop is an online affair defined by a curated selection of modern shades that’ll only entice, and never overwhelm. Plus, they offer adhesive samples shipped straight to your door so you can put your color choices to the test before making a decision. Here are some of our favorite shades.
Photo by: @placeplaceplace.place courtesy of Backdrop
Tanlines by Backdrop
While bold, this deep yellow shade instantly adds warmth and depth to any room in the house.
Photo: @pieces_by_an_aesthetic_pursuit courtesy of Backdrop
The Early Stuff by Backdrop Neutral fans will find comfort in the hint of gray captured in this cool blue shade, and the way it brings levity and freshness to a space (perfect for spring!).
Photo: Angela Chrusciaki Blehm
Using larger decorative features as your starting point is a great way to ensure the colors in the room remain cohesive and in sync every step of the way. In decorating her color-filled dream home, artist and designer Angela Chrusciaki Blehm did just that, saying “I take color cues from the art in the space and go from there, with a preference for big color blocks in my furniture and walls to complement the art.” Even if you’re not decorating around your art collection, Blehm’s approach applies if you’re using key furniture pieces or a statement rug as your color palette’s north star too. Go bold with a color blocked accent chair and a complementary paint color or find your accent color amidst the multi-toned hues in your living room’s area rug. Having a color anchor is sure to get the wheels turning.
