"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." H.G. Wells
"People often say that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder,' and I say that the most liberating thing about beauty is realizing that you are the beholder. This empowers us to find beauty in places where others have not dared to look, including inside ourselves." Salma Hayek
BEHOLDiNG BEAUTY...
WHAT LiES BEYOND THE FACADE?
Style. We cannot purchase style but we can observe, study, absorb and attain it. Style is more than fad design trends and fashion. It is a reflection of who we are... a sampling of our character; of what we value and love. The home is a reflection of those who dwell there; a place where we weave together elements of function and necessity with our personal history, family, passions and attributes from nature.
On a personal note, I am traditionally a lover of 'dirt-colored' neutrals with small doses of black thrown in for a touch of elegance against accents of strong, vibrant color. I recently repainted our front door Atomic Tangerine, an unexpected vibrant punch against a neutral, sandy-beach colored cottage. For me, the fascination with new things begins with observation and research then it extends to our home where change and experimentation are never ending.
Most recently, I have been studying the stunning subtleties of 'WHiTE on WHiTE' compositions and how diminutive changes in hue, light, texture and layering create beauty through tranquility. I never imagined that I would paint everything white yet the risk proved to be worth it. Everything from walls to ceilings and trim were rolled and brushed. The end result: a bright, crisp, clean backdrop that makes art, furnishings and small, colorful details POP! The unexpected bonus: White is very easy to keep clean (much easier than painted colors) as white has tremendous hiding power. Who knew? It hides wall imperfections like none other, is easy to scrub and simple to touch up! We truly love, love, love the way it turned out!
I invite you to step into the color palette of sun-bleached whites, creams and grays to visit interiors featuring wood, soft cotton & wool textiles, woven basketry, varieties of textures and elements of nature. White-on-white palettes create an environment that is soothing to nerves jostled by the cacophony of daily life. Take a few minutes of respite to engage your creative side... observe, explore and stay awhile.
Please allow me the privilege of sharing some of my favorite photographs (courtesy of Pinterest & Google Images) as they pertain to decorating the home with with a subdued white-on-white palette.
WHiTE-ON-WHiTE GALLERY
Please feel free to borrow ideas that catch your eye. Turn ideas from others into a personal statement at home for the enjoyment of you and your family. Seek inspiration in the world around you. Try new things!
"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives." ~Albert Einstein