Design touches every part of our lives. The environments in which we live, work and play impact our psyche and behavior in a multitude of ways, some more subtle than others. In an age when we are busier and more technology-driven than ever before, our homes and living spaces must be a refuge, comfortable and luxurious yet appeal to us on an emotional level.
Apartment Design Project by Alizee Brion, Light On White – North Beach Residence, Miami
Neutral and monochrome interiors are restful, timeless and practical. Restricting color palette is a simple and easy way to elevate your interiors. Committing to a monochrome scheme can actually be quite freeing. It facilitates mixing pieces from different periods and adding patterns. Since it is all neutral, you can’t go wrong. Inexpensive items are immediately more sophisticated set against a more minimalist backdrop. And if you do it right, I firmly believe that creativity can flourish within these constraints.
Apartment Design Project by Alizee Brion, Light On White – North Beach Residence, Miami
Not all monochrome interiors are the same. The result you will achieve is primarily driven by the balance of light and dark and how it is used. You can create high-drama by mixing blacks against whites in close proximity, or take a more fluid approach where each shade sits next to a sibling, subtly calibrating intensity to add pockets of depth and interest.
Belgravia Apartment Design by Alizee Brion, Light On White – London
Being an advocate for neutral interiors doesn’t mean I have abandoned color altogether. I prefer to opt instead for low saturations of color that add depth without demanding too much attention. A grey with blue undertones, a beige that hints towards blush or even a muted green are ways to add color without overpowering. When you start to design within the realm of neutrals, you will quickly realize the nuances are infinite.
There are, however, some guidelines that are useful to be aware of. A light base demands accents of darker tones to avoid feeling disoriented, like needing trees to find your way through a whiteout day of skiing. An important rule to follow is to try to ground all objects with some degree of contrast. If both your floors and your furniture are white, try to find a light grey rug to break up the two. In harmonious interiors, the eye needs to find somewhere to rest.
Alizee Brion, Light On White
When the palette is restricted, interiors can benefit from the use of variety in other aspects, such as style, scale, and texture. Contrasting textures to create tension is a great way to add depth and interest. Glossy lacquer juxtaposed against woven sisal or wire-brushed wood against soft suede. Likewise, proportions and architectural details become more important to consider when interior space has fewer elements to distract.
I’m often asked if I am not worried that my love of white interiors will lead to cold and sterile interiors. On the contrary, white is reflective, peaceful and restorative. It is the color favored by Scandinavians, who live in cold climates with grey skies most of the year. They choose white because it maximizes the daylight that they do have and because it creates a sense of serenity which is comforting. White doesn’t dominate or demand attention but simply allows you to focus on living your life. For the same reason that gallerists habitually choose white as the ideal backdrop to view art, a white interior can help focus the attention on the people occupying it. The result is an interior that is timeless, flexible, practical and liberating.
For more creative inspiration, you are welcome to follow Archi-living.com on social media.
Interior Design Projects in Miami and London – Light On White – Find Out More
White Christmas Ideas – Sweet & Creative Home Decorations – Discover More
