Living With White Walls and Not Fighting It

When we moved into a condo with white walls, I wasn’t really liking it at all.  It was too stark and felt unfinished.  Since most of my furniture was dark wood and deep reds, I was looking for something to compliment the white walls rather that “fight” with them.

I started looking online about different styles and colors to blend with my white walls.  After looking and getting a feel for what I liked other than reds and dark wood, I decided to not “fight” the white walls but work with them.

My first project was painting my bookshelf.  It had a cherry stain and is made of pine.  I painted it with a flat white paint found at the “Oops” table of Home Depot for $1.  SCORE!!  After painting it all white, I decided I did want some color.  So I only painted the front and sides a light blue.  Now it stands out against the wall and blends with my new decor.

When I bought the coffee table, it was black.  I used primer, white paint, a color called Summer Sonnet by Ace Hardware.  I found a simple stencil for my table to add a little pizzaz.

This is a view from our coffee table.  You can see that I have added layers and textures, so the white is more appealing.

This is our tiny dining area.  I am getting use to the lighter colors now and enjoy finding accent pieces that will fill our home with color against the white walls.

I stayed with the dark decor on this piece.  It was made by my grandfather.  I love all the chips and dings in it.  By adding books, a lamp, flowers and a wooden box, adds to the texture and feel of our white walls.

The antique cupboard was silver and has been made over a few times.  I choose to paint it with 3 colors: Antique White, Turquoise Mist by Olympic, and Hint of Olive by Ace Hardware.   After it was painted, I added a few stencils once again for character.  Using sandpaper I roughed up all the edges.  It now stands out and it is a great piece for added color.  I made a garland from book pages and twine for the front of the cupboard.

In our bedroom, I decided to go with a more vibrant color than the light blues, greens and antique white.  By adding various pillows there is eye appeal and comfort.  The furniture was my grandparents, made in the 40s. With a maple stain they just looked “old”.  I used Turquoise Mist by Olympic with a dry brush to give them new life.  The drawers are painted antique white.

My headboard is actually a screen.  The green works well with the rest of the room.  The coffee filters hanging on the “headboard” are decorations from our son’s wedding.

At the foot of our bed, we have a beach bench painted with BHG Teal Lake.  It is covered with an antique quilt.  The pillow is from Pier1.  The shelf is painted with the same white that I used on the book shelf in the living room.  I filled it with shells and mementos from beach trips around the world.  I also like the monograms for more texture.  The mirror is painted with various colors that I have previously mentioned.  Leaning in the corner are an antique umbrella and bamboo cane.

My solution for living with white walls: Embrace it.  Find a new look that fits your lifestyle.  Accent the white with textures, depth and character.  Besides all that.  You will get to take everything with you when you move!!

Thanks for stopping by today!!  I hope you come back again very soon!!

Learn to live with white walls without fighting it.

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