The Total White style is becoming increasingly popular in interior design. The reasons behind the success of Total White are truly numerous, and we will describe and understand them one by one.
The color white is the synthesis of all the colors of the visible spectrum and represents the brightest color because it reflects all the others. Some consider it a non-color or achromatic color. The term Total White suggests the concept of the total use of white. On this topic, it is necessary to make some necessary clarifications and adopt some precautions. The choice of white for a room embodies a “concept” of cleanliness, refinement, and brightness that expands the space itself. These are all characteristics that will take on different proportions depending on the room in the home in which they are applied. To better explain the potential of this particular style, we will discuss a concrete example of custom design: the kitchen.
If I had to create a total white kitchen
As mentioned, an all-white kitchen immediately conveys a sense of cleanliness, refinement, and order. It also creates a bright and, consequently, functional space.
The predominant characteristics of the white color
Its associated characteristics:
light
order
cleanliness
Light allows for greater visual comfort and the right combination of materials. Careful consideration of light sources can promote even and uniform light distribution throughout the space. The color white is synonymous with cleanliness and order.
Objects on a white background are easily identifiable, making them even easier to pick up and put back where they belong. With the absolute predominance of white, most non-white objects will not be a nuisance, with the exception of carefully selected exceptions.
The pursuit of a white-and-white style, in my personal belief as an architect and interior designer, is based on a clean and, above all, minimal style, although this isn’t always the case. Just as objects of different colors are identifiable, so too are stains, dust, and smudges. They can’t be ignored, and therefore, it will be almost impossible not to stop and clean. But they will be natural gestures, and from a psychological point of view much less burdensome, you will no longer have to think about having to clean the kitchen because cleanliness will be a constant in the Total White kitchen.
Colored elements in a total white kitchen
Colorful elements must be present in any case to avoid creating a dull and bland environment. The choice will be made, consciously or unconsciously, and those objects will be the exception. Consider, for example, chairs in bright and vibrant colors, or more simply, appropriately placed plant essences, or vases containing fragrant spices.
More architectural, but striking and alternative, could be the contrast of all-white with wood paneling. A highly successful combination is a light-colored wood floor that retains its natural color, such as oak or ash. You could also choose, albeit with extreme caution, to create a contrast between an all-white kitchen and a floor, for example, using wenge. The combination of all-white and dove gray, a very trendy color in recent years, has also been very successful.
Materials, components and finishes of the Total White kitchen
White is a color that can be used in a kitchen across many different elements, and therefore across different materials. A minimalist kitchen can, and in my opinion should, feature similar characteristics in terms of color and surface finishes, so that the piece is perceived as a single object, rather than a sum of components.
This isn’t always easy, given the different materials used:
The countertop is made of Corian, a non-porous artificial stone composed of one-third acrylic resin and the remainder natural materials;
The doors are made of white lacquered plywood, the shade of which can vary depending on the RAL color chosen. (RAL identifies the color scale as 9003, 9010, 9016. It’s also important to consider the gloss 10, which is the unit of measurement that identifies a surface’s light-reflecting/absorbent capacity. Gloss finishes include matt (from 0 to 30 gloss), semi-matt (from 31 to 50 gloss), semi-gloss, and glossy (over 80 gloss).
The recessed handles (no handles in a minimalist kitchen) are painted RAL 9016.
The hob (also available in white)
The sink basin, also in Corian, creates a seamless effect with the countertop.
Personally, if I were to have an all-white kitchen, I would avoid a glossy finish. This is because glossy materials tend to generate reflections that clash with the desire for a sober and relaxing environment, as well as being even more difficult to keep clean.
The all-white theme is vast and rich in Its many facets make it adaptable to any space and style. For this reason, Inside Project offers its interior design expertise to its clients.