How the All-White Aesthetic Has Affected Design

White Room Interiors: Aesthetic Design Ideas for the Colour of Light

How the All-White Aesthetic Has Affected Design

May 13, 2020

Over the past 11.5 years of blogging about interiors, I’ve seen a few core controversies pop up over and over again. But few have been as incendiary — and representative of larger issues in design — as the lightning-rod issue of all-white walls and home decoration. White has long been thought of as a safe room interior colour with many people using it like a neutral, non-colour. However, when treated like the gorgeous colour it is, white makes a bold, clean dramatic design statement and can be the most exciting room interiors of all. Here are some of the best white aesthetic interior design ideas, followed by some pieces you can get the look with. Follow CovetED and get ready to be inspired.

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How the All-White Aesthetic Has Affected Design

Project by Livein Design

Whether you call it modern minimalism, a reaction to the pattern-heavy aughts, the Marie Kondo effect, the Kinfolk-ization of design or just a love of classic neutrals, it’s impossible to escape how popular all-white homes and walls seem to be right now. The reasons are rich and varied (we’ll get into those below), but the depth of the trend’s effect is astounding. At least 90% of the homes we see every month (we reach out to and get submissions from hundreds of people around the globe on a regular basis) have “that” look: white walls, a mix of vintage Kilim rugs, lots of house plants and a carefully curated selection of found/salvaged objects. Whether you love it or hate it, this aesthetic has defined the zeitgeist of the past 5-6 years of the online design world.

Kim Kardashian House, a project by Axel Vervoordt

Much has been said (both gleefully and angrily) about this look. Typically, I let those extreme reactions go in one ear and out the other because if I’ve learned anything, it’s that the Internet is great at producing intense reactions to nonessential things. But lately, I’ve seen a swell of well-thought-out and reasoned responses requesting a move away from this aesthetic and a desire for something different. So today I wanted to talk about this look, what I think it means (and why it gets fairly and unfairly blamed for some problems), and how we can both embrace and understand this style while also making plenty of room in our hearts — and our publications — for colour, pattern, stylistic difference and abundance in addition to minimalism.

Kim Kardashian House, a project by Axel Vervoordt

Throughout histories and across many continents this look has been celebrated and prized. As with most design trends, things are cyclical and memories are often short. You don’t need to look much further than the incredible Greek, Japanese, Moroccan, and Scandinavian interiors (among many others) of days past to know that while walls and a sense of clean minimalism (often offset by more colourful handmade textiles and artwork) have been popular and coveted long before the contemporary take on this trend that we know right now.

Get The Look

MARCO DINING CHAIR
ESSENTIAL HOME

Marco Dining Chair features polished brass and glossy black feet along with round-shaped arms that provide even more comfort. Following the tradition of Essential Home’s finest bestsellers, Marco dining chair is another piece that is handmade with the same luxurious elements as any other piece.

TURNER TABLE LAMP
DELIGHTFULL

Turner Table Lamp was inspired by the electrifying and memorable dance moves of the iconic pop singer. Turner is a large table lamp handmade in brass and aluminium. The body has a gold plated finish, while the shade was lacquered a black matte on the outside and a gold powder paint on the inside, so as not to create an uncomfortable glaze for the user. Its five movable arcs can be rotated into the desired position, which gives this black table lamp a sense of fun and allows you to create the best composition to fit your modern home decor. A versatile piece, that can be used in almost any room of your house, this brass desk lamp looks its best when placed in a modern home office or art deco inspired living room.

FRAPPÉ SIDE TABLE
CAFFE LATTE

Frappé Side Table is a subtle set of three nesting tables, made of solid lacquered wood, that is ideal for your living room decoration. With a refined neoclassical form and a visually modern appeal, Frappé is available with a lacquer finish in white or black. Brought to you by the finest craftsmanship.

VANILLA SIDE TABLE
CAFFE LATTE

Vanilla Side Table is made from solid oak wood or mahogany, with Carrara marble on top and the exudes style while maintaining a minimalist approach that is just so irresistible. Geometric, conceptual and pure, Vanilla is here to add a sweet taste to your daily routine in an unprecedented way. Suitable for both modern and classic settings.

ESPRESSO FLOOR LAMP
CAFFE LATTE

Espresso Floor Lamp, with an extremely minimal structure and a matching shade, is the perfect addition to your living room, entryway or reading corner. The shade, made of silk, creates a bold design that is sized to balance its architectural form. As you can see, Espresso is a homage to the simple pleasures of life.

ODETTE SOFA
BOCA DO LOBO

Odette Sofa tells the story of a princess turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse, inspired by the Swan Lake Op. 20, ballet composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Its sweeping silhouette is accentuated with a polished brass structure and an asymmetric back offers a sophisticated design and timeless appeal.

PIETRA ROUND DINING TABLE
BOCA DO LOBO

Playing with function and sculptural form, the Pietra Round Dining Table shapes a timeless experience through its classical aura reminding the renaissance era and finest Estremoz white marble. Its oval top gently lies in three robust marble columns, each one conceived from solid blocks hand-sculpted and turned to create different details for additional texture.