September 27, 2012|By Kit Waskom Pollard, For The Baltimore Sun
White is versatile: It works with every style, from elegant and sophisticated to cool and comfortable. Here are some tips from the pros on how to incorporate white into your own home:
Focus on the feel White's neutrality makes it easy to experiment with textures like cozy fur or rough sisal. Playing with textures adds "dimension," says Stephanie Bradshaw.
Consider contrast In a client's Eastern shore retreat, Patrick Sutton paired smart navy pillows with a crisp white sofa. "It is all white," he says, "with little punctuations of navy. It's really quite stunning."
Go floral Experiment with all-white flower arrangements. For fall, Dutch Floral Garden owner Paula Dobbe-Maher recommends minimal, vertical groupings of a few amaryllis or anthuriums, or "fluffier" combinations of roses and lime green viburnum.
Slip it Bradshaw is a proponent of easy-to-wash slipcovers, especially for families with young children. Slipcovers are also a great way to freshen a room's look without investing in all new furniture.
Explore the shades Bradshaw creates a rich look by layering multiple shades of white. Mixing darker creams with bright white turns a simple palette into a sophisticated aesthetic.