The White Album

So far 2010 is shaping up to be craptacular. This does not bode well for the next 10 FREAKING YEARS, does it? Let's recap the already long list of stupid stuff that has happened in this very new year: the entire nation has been living in a subzero meat locker. The Hunny, Baby Ike and I, have been passing around a disgusting cold. I am on a no sleep plan, thanks to Ike's first tooth. Because I'm exhausted, every night I scarf down a bowl of ice cream with hot fudge about 3 seconds before I go to bed. The scale refuses to even register my weight in the morning -- it just laughs. Oh, and the cat puked on our rug in the middle of the night, for the 854th time this month. Aren't you jealous? Don't you wish you were me? SAY YOU WISH YOU WERE ME. Yeah, it could be a lot worse, but I don't really want to hear about context or perspective or any other gross thoughtful stuff today. Instead, I've been fantasizing about painting everything in my house white, and getting all white furniture, and all white accessories. It's my new happy place, where it's clean and fresh and everything matches, and there is no orange puke or chocolate sauce, and everybody sleeps all night long.

Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. (Remodelista)

I used the google to find this, therefore I have no source info. What? You think I shouldn't occasionally resort to googling my post material? I don't have time to read blogs ALL day. Update -- thanks to Nicole for letting me know this room was designed by Alexander van Berge!

Is that sofa inflatable, or is it just me? (Per Ranung)

This room is so anti maximalist, but I am in sweet sweet love. Even the buildings across the way are white. (Francois Halard)

I don't know where this came from, and those clothes are really buggin, but hot damn! White just photographs so beautifully.

So. restful. can't. keep eyes open.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. (Marie Claire Maison)

Om me padme hum a zoom zoom, just shake your rump! Uh, that's totally not where I meant to go with that. I just got a little overexcited thinking about all that white. (Living Etc)

Get out of my room, fugly brown boxes.

How not to do a white room. I want to punch that DREAM banner in the face and rip that stupid Z Gallerie pirate chandelier out of the ceiling. Repeat: this room bad. Bad white make Erin angry!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh. Anger level receding. (Remodelista)

Um hmmmm. (Desire to Inspire)

Oh yeah. (From the Right Bank)

Almost disqualified due to a preponderance of off white tones, but so pretty I couldn't help myself. Whatever. You can't stop me. I'm high on white. I'm unstoppable. (Style Files)

Pure as the driven snow... and the number one reason I can't actually have an all white house. (Ohdeedoh)

I think I'm actually feeling better, thank you very much, but now I'm seriously jonesing for more white crack. So tell me, smart, savvy decorating friends: do any of you have white walls? Do you like them? Does white highlight every imperfection -- like the dreaded wall cellulite -- or does it smooth over the ugly drama? Any particular colors, tips, etc? It seems like great architecture and serious windows are needed to go white, but I'm oh so tempted...

Another Black and White Post

Interior decor is as much a part of the fashion world as clothes are -- trends are born and then trends die. It's the cycle of style. Because I'm short on time and have to work whenever I find a spare minute or two, I tend to bookmark my posts well in advance (and for my responsible nature I deserve a gold star, right?), but the downside is that I often find I'm tired of the pictures before I even get to post them. So, yeah, I've had this awesome black and white roundup lassoed and hogtied for weeks, but I was all sick of it because I've already seen a zillion (good) black and white roundups splashed all over the blogosphere. Anyhoodle, this is my long and rambling way of saying that you're getting a (mostly) black and white post whether you like it or not, because there are some good things about black and white, and besides -- it's a classic, dammit.

Sabrina Bignami

Nicolas Matheus

Richard Powers

OWI

Francois Halard

Studio Ilse

Style Files

Studio Ilse

Jeff Andrews

Emmas Designblogg

Elle Decor

Skona Hem

Jeff Andrews

Sabrina Bignami

Did you see how many pictures I had bookmarked??? I'm nothing if not thorough, and I couldn't exactly let all that gorgeousness go to waste.

So what do you dudes think? Is black and white itself too chilly? Does it need a pop of color or the warmth of wood to make it work? Tell me your favorite picture, and I'll tell you mine... Inquiring minds need to know.

Dark and Glossy is Supah Flossy

Hello hello, blog buddies! I am back from the brink of certain death by bubonic infection, and baby Ike is feeling much better, as well. Along with heaping doses of Oprah, Supernanny, and baby Tylenol, your well wishes and kind words healed our sickness. It's a miracle! Or maybe my resurrection is the result of these hot rooms that have my blood a' pumping, because you know what -- the gloss is boss.

Apartment Therapy

Yesss, paired with deep, dark paint, a glossy finish adds depth and -- dare I say -- an element of mystery?

A super high gloss finish like the one in this room by Miles Redd is like hot lingerie for your walls, and you don't want to force your walls to wear granny panties, do you?

Studio Ilse

No granny panties here, just sleek sophistication. But make sure to smooth out walls before painting, because a glossy sheen reveals imperfections and no one wants to see that orange peel cellulite on your wall.

SR Gambrel

Why not spread the shine to the ceiling, while you're at it?

SR Gambrel

And although black looks fabulously fresh in a high gloss finish, a whole rainbow of dark hues could work beautifully.

Head Over Heels

Elle Decor

Marie Claire Maison

Dark and glossy is grown up sexy, but use it sparingly. Much like makeup, you don't want too much shiny, or you risk looking trashy.

Although a shiny finish does make for easy cleanup.