All good things must come to an end. And like a tropical beach vacation, your ‘30s or HBO’s Game of Thrones, the color gray’s days may well be numbered. Winter looks as though it’s coming for the versatile neutral and reigning champion of all things home furnishings-related as new soft whites breeze in, ready for the chance to shine.
“With the way things are trending, white is the new gray,” said Jim LaBarge, Chief Executive Officer at Marge Carson. “We’re seeing a gentle transition from gray into a neutral, soft tone of white. Soft whites are relaxed, easy to live with, and they give a serene feeling to interiors.”
Scroll down for a look at the first wave of white finishes making a splash on dining room buffets, credenzas and sideboards.
Ensemble Credenza — CARSON by Marge Carson
A fresh take on the formal credenza, this Ensemble cabinet from Marge Carson has legs. No really, there are four of them (unlike the traditional shape with cabinets that reach all the way to the floor). The design also owes its relevance to an on-trend Bisque finish on Ash veneer and dramatic details like a stainless still overlay in a diamond-shaped motif. Linen wrapped doors provide an elegant finishing touch.
Style this soft white beauty with a large geometric mirror and mixed metal accessories. If after-dinner drinks are on the on the menu, check out this set of O’Connor decanters, new from Arteriors.
Domaine Blanc Buffet — Bernhardt
The neo-traditional Domaine Blanc buffet may borrow from the past, but the dining room workhorse is set firmly in the present thanks to Bernhardt’s multi-process Dove White finish. The unique, almost translucent stain highlights the white oak veneers’ textured grain for a more casual take on classic good looks. Behind closed doors, the buffet features an adjustable/removable shelf as well as three drawers and a silverware insert.
Style this relaxed yet refined design with a framed panel (or entire wall) of rich, saturated color wallpaper. Designs like these new traditional wallpaper designs will play up a playful vibe and help the white finish pop.
Desmond Sideboard — Classic Home
Trends can be a gamble. Will chintz be out of style again as soon as the drapery goes up? Probably. Will velvet seem dated for next year? Not as likely. But, it’s hard to know for sure. And when your clients are committing to a look that you’ve helped them hone, you want it to stick (for awhile at least). This transitional Desmond sideboard from Classic Home is a solid performer that should stand the test of time thanks to a light whitewash finish that gives it a blank canvas appeal.
Encourage your clients to try the mixed metal trend by adding a gold-framed mirror (like these from Currey & Company, Regina Andrew Design and others) and black metal sconces to complement the sideboard’s nickel hardware.
Bayside Buffet — Barclay Butera for Lexington Home Brands
There’s just something about Barclay. His cool approachablebly elegant interiors have West Coast clients lining up from California to Utah. But, thanks to his collections for Lexington Home Brands, your clients don’t need to live by the beach (or a salt lake) to get in on his unique coastal vibe. The Bayside buffet, part of Barclay Butera’s Newport Collection for Lexington Home Brands, is equal parts chill (Oh, hello, whitewashed Sailcloth finish!) and sophisticated (Enchanté, traditional styling!).
Pair this dining room staple with items made of natural, non-kitschy materials like rattan, sea grass and jute. These Lucia dining chairs by Justina Blakeney for Selamat are a good start.
What do you think? Will white surpass gray in home decor popularity? Share your thoughts in the comments.
