White made its grand entrance onto the home decor scene with the introduction of Rachel Ashwell’s shabby chic style. The color white is used profusely in shabby chic decor, using the color to unite worn objects from different eras. While some may think decorating with white is falling out of favor, numerous home decor sites still show an abundancy of white rooms. Country Living magazine has an entire section dedicated to decorating with white on its website. As for me and my home, I’m still a huge fan of white!
My farm house dining room is the whitest room in my house and it also has the least amount of natural light (other than one of the bathrooms that doesn’t have a window). Despite the lack of daylight entering the room, it looks bright and airy. The dining table is painted 2 Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Colors – Old White on the table top and Paris Gray on the legs. The chairs wear a first coat of Duck Egg Blue with Paris Gray on top. I distressed the chairs so you can see both colors.
The walls are painted Steam White by Laura Ashley, sold at Lowe’s. I love this shade of white because it has a slight undertone of bluish gray. I’m more of a cool colors kinda girl and it took a while for me to find a shade of white with blue undertones as opposed to yellow. I added a script bamboo mat under the table – super easy to clean!
When I set the table, I almost always use white dishes because I think white-on-white looks crisp and fresh.
When decorating with white, you can use a mix of styles because the color itself provides cohesiveness.
For this place setting, I used larger plates found at Goodwill, topped with stock dishes from Walmart. The old silverware is a flea market find. I added blossoms from my Bridal Wreath bush and added lace.
Decorating with white in the dining room makes it easy to select a centerpiece because you can use almost anything. Blooms from the Bridal Wreath bush are tucked inside a blue Ball mason jar. Easy peasy!
The Bridal Wreath blooms look equally pretty in an ironstone creamer.
The buffet is painted in Old White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which I found at a local store that sells a lot of repurposed furniture.
My white ironstone collection allows me to continue decorating with white in our farmhouse dining room.
I’m a sucker for flowers so I added a branch of the Bridal Wreath bush to the ironstone bowl.
An altered small bottle and a rusty bottle from the dump accompany one of my white ironstone pitchers.
I love the cool white in my dining room so much, that I’ve decided to paint our living room the same color. Some people think too much white looks cold and impersonal, but I think decorating with white looks fresh and airy and it always brightens my mood.
What are favorite colors you’ve used to decorate your home?
Sharing this post at Tweak It Tuesday, Tuesday’s Treasures, Wow Us Wednesday, Feathered Nest Friday, Fabulously Creative Friday, Shabbilicious Friday, Show and Tell Friday, Furniture Friday, Party Junk, Sunday Showcase, Metamorphosis Monday
Kim says
May 27, 2013 at 5:24 pmIt’s all so pretty dressed in white. White makes it easy to change things up.
Nancy says
May 27, 2013 at 6:10 pmI like color but love looking at white rooms. They seem so peaceful. My husband was looking at your room a few minutes ago. And he asked me if I’d like an all white room. I said no, but I love how they can give me a calm feeling when I look at them. Which I do when I start to feel overwhelmed with life. Thanks for this calming moment. I was sure needing it. 🙂
Gee says
May 27, 2013 at 6:34 pmI have quite a few rooms in the home painted white, 🙂 yellow based antique white and and cream. I luv the fact that I can add colour when I want to. I have green accent walls pops of red in the dining room. Neutral with pops of colour does it for me.
Luv your home.
Hugs, Gee
Botanic Bleu says
May 27, 2013 at 9:35 pmJennifer,
Blue, mostly a light periwinkle, is my favorite color with which to decorate. All of the walls in my house are painted that color which is a perfect background for white. I was very decisive that the walls could not be white when we built our house over 25 years ago.
I had lived in so many apartments and temporary houses that had white walls that I found them boring.
Over the years, I’ve added more white to my house. The natural-stained pine cabinets in my kitchen were all painted white about 7-8 years ago, and I still love them that color.
Judith
sweet violets says
May 27, 2013 at 11:11 pmNo white for me, although I enjoy viewing all the whites on line and in magazines. Your home is lovely and charming no matter what color you use!!!
All the walls in my home and the trim are almond, it was easier that way!!! And it is the perfect backdrop for all the antiques, paintings, bric a brac, and family collections…….the colors are mostly red and blue with some pinks and sometimes purples find a way in here…….and things move in and out for the change of seasons. My bedroom is pink and aqua with naturals. I love color and living in an all white room would drain the life right out of me!!!
Jamie says
May 28, 2013 at 12:00 amI LOVE white. You always do such a great job. I’d love it if you could link this up to our party, Give Me The Goods Monday! {1 party, 4 blogs)
Have a great week!
Jamie @ Better With Age
silvia says
May 28, 2013 at 1:13 amYour dining room is so crisp and welcoming, and how many lovely displays! I love whites too, it has become a way of life for me,
I couldn’t live in a dark home!
Hugs
Silvia
olive says
May 28, 2013 at 5:15 amI love your whites Jennifer. I have white 1960’s beach furniture in my living room mixed with blues. My dining room is a dismal brown because my hubs thinks painting a buffet is a horror. I am working on that. My kitchen is white but desperately needs repainting. The painting never ends does it?
Sherry says
May 28, 2013 at 5:55 amI love white. I have to tell you that your blog inspired me to paint my walls white. I love how uncomplicated it makes my life. I’ve had way more fun decorating since I went white. Funny because I never considered white as a wall color, only trim. Anyway, I’m sold on it! Love your new profile pic :-
Anne Boykin says
May 28, 2013 at 6:22 amLove your white dining room! I have a lot of black & white, light & dark, as I like the contrast. Thanks for your lovely blog.
lynn at shabby story says
May 28, 2013 at 6:40 amlove the new pic of you, jennifer! i’ve been a white lover for about 13 yrs, and have no desire to stop:) your vignettes are darling!
Dawn says
May 28, 2013 at 6:48 amI always love your white space. Wish I could do white, but with log walls there’s not change. Your room is always stunning:)
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
May 28, 2013 at 7:16 amYour use of white in your dining room not only looks pretty but is smart to keep it light and airy, Jennifer.
Pamela Gordon says
May 28, 2013 at 8:25 amYour white dining room looks so beautiful and bright. I love it all!
Mickle says
May 28, 2013 at 9:45 amI’m inspired! Lowe’s here I come….. the bedroom needs this – and so does the furniture I’m gathered — my computer desk. the TV stand and the dresser! I’m excited! THANKS!!!!
[email protected] says
May 28, 2013 at 1:18 pmI’ve always loved your dining-room. Decorating with white gives us so much liberty to add touches of colour and change them whenever we want.
Mary Alice Patterson says
May 28, 2013 at 2:34 pmI always enjoy photos of your home. You have a great way of making it look so fresh and pretty!
Mary Alice
Jane says
May 28, 2013 at 4:18 pmI love how you use white in your decor, it’s soft and airy and always inviting. I have one room that’s filled with soft white with yellow and gray as accents. For rooms that don’t flow into one another, as in my old house, I like to create something different in each one, but I’m not a fan of bright, primary colors. I think white will be around for a long time, it’s the perfect compliment to our accessories and pieces. Thanks always, for a great post!
XO,
Jane
Nicole says
May 28, 2013 at 7:31 pmI love how clean & pretty it looks! Thanks for sharing! I found you at Savvy Southern Style 🙂
Cathy says
May 29, 2013 at 12:21 amHi,
Great post! I’m not really a white kind of person; spent too many years in apartments with “apartment beige” of all shades. But I have to say it is starting to grow on me.
What colours did you finish your diningroom table and chairs? I love the softness of the colours. Though you mention you’re a “cool colour” kind of girl, these colours strike me as being warm, inviting and calming.
Thanks,
Cathy
Inspire Me Heather says
May 29, 2013 at 9:00 amYour whites are so lovely – thanks for posting your tips!
Cynthia says
May 29, 2013 at 1:36 pmJennifer as always your home is lovely and I adore your white. The mason jars and the flowers are displayed beautifully.
Cynthia
Clydia @ THREE MANGO SEEDS says
May 29, 2013 at 3:22 pmI♥decorating with white! Beautiful pics! Sharing this a little later on Facebook. XOXO
Abby @ Just a Girl and Her Blog says
May 30, 2013 at 7:50 amLOVE the white! I agree with you that it looks fresh and airy–absolutely beautiful! Hope you have a wonderful day!
~Abby =)
Thistlewood Farms says
May 30, 2013 at 10:13 amYou’re awesome!!
I love the white, so fresh and clean!!
Have a blessed and wonderful day!!
[email protected] Clutter says
May 30, 2013 at 6:41 pmThat white buffet and mirror are still my favorites. Just love the whole white room!
Madonna/aka/Ms. Lemon says
May 30, 2013 at 8:27 pmYour white decor is just gorgeous. So comforting.
Jeanette @ Creating a Life says
May 30, 2013 at 10:52 pmI love all your white, Jennifer. Nothing cold about this room at all, just lovely!
Jeanette
Sadie Udy @ Company of 7 Designs says
May 31, 2013 at 12:28 amI love your pictures and the beautiful white. It is all so welcoming!
Lori says
May 31, 2013 at 7:23 pmAbsolutely beautiful Jennifer!! I love white!! I am waiting to have the time between clients to tackle my dining room!!! I have the rug too… and I am totally going white… Thanks for sharing such beautiful inspiration!!
Carol Cook says
May 31, 2013 at 11:37 pmIt is all beautiful, but I have to say the white plates with simple flowers tied with lace is my favorite part – just so sweet.
Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says
June 1, 2013 at 5:09 pmYour room settings are always so lovely Jennifer. As you know, I’m a big fan of white too and love how it can brighten a darker room.
The Tablescaper says
June 1, 2013 at 8:06 pmI host a weekly link party called “Seasonal Sundays”. This week, in honor of my fourth blog-a-versary, I’m having a giveaway of a $100.00 gift certificate to HomeGoods/TJ Maxx. I’d love to have you join the fun!
– The Tablescaper
Laurel Stephens says
June 2, 2013 at 8:10 pmI never thought before about how white is the unifying element that allows us to use such a variety of period decor in one room. I love that! Your dining room is so beautiful; light, bright, and so cheerful in spite of one window, and I love the baby’s breath. I’d never seen it not dried before and had no idea it’s so pretty when fresh. As usual, your post has taught me much!
Revi says
June 3, 2013 at 10:09 pmI love white too, and you do it very well! I agree, using different tones of white and lots of texture help make a space warmer. I use tones from bright cool white to warmer whites to greige and even taupe and gray in my home. I also keep some dark wood and metals – silver, gold and rusty stuff. It is my favorite way to live right now! If I desire to use more color, it will be easy to incorporate it later, and even change it seasonally. Your home is lovely!
-Revi
Kerryanne @ Shabby Art Boutique says
June 6, 2013 at 6:14 amI love white too Jennifer and I always love seeing your beautiful house.
katy says
June 13, 2013 at 11:12 amWhite is surreal and dreamy and it goes fabulously with classy and chic country homes. White kitchens look absolutely marvelous. If you do them up with upclass accessories then they can even look downright grand. Pastel shades, fine china, silverware and flower arrangement are totally great for such homes and make them look even more pleasant.
annora says
May 2, 2016 at 3:44 amWhere did you find your side chairs? I love them!
Kim Santini says
May 7, 2018 at 1:31 amLove the look, it is so sweet x
Karen says
January 19, 2019 at 7:48 amWhere can I find a table as close to yours? OMG, I love it.
I asked for advice on the houz app. Wouldn’t you know, poof your dining room was shared.
Is there some Pinterest Rule that states no copycats aloud! I am blessed to have a corner hut h. Yours is to die for.
Is it the same color as the table?
I