Light and Beachy
There’s nothing that says dreamy, relaxed, balmy, island life more than the light and airy feel of the colour white.
The versatility of white is endless and has the ability to adapt to any space - from our island’s modern, luxury villas, to the quaint beach houses we so often see dotted along the coastline of Koh Samui and Koh Phangan.
With the ability to reflect the stunning island environment by bringing the outdoors, in, highlighting the vibrant blues and greens we naturally have on offer, white is a popular choice for Island and beach side homeowners around the world. It’s classic, timeless appeal offers something no other colour can when designing your interior space.
Styling with White
From whitewashed walls and carved ornamental pieces to luxurious white linens and modern, high gloss furniture pieces, the style choices are infinite and individual. The vast variety of white hues available enables designers and homeowners to create a feel depending on the pallete of choice.
Cool whites have grey, blue or green undertones, and deliver a crisp and bright feel, while warm whites have yellow, peach or beige tones and can be used to warm a space and create a romantic and soft environment.
It is, however easy to make styling errors when using white - ending up with a clinical feel due to too many high gloss surfaces, sharp lines and poor lighting choices. See my tips for styling with white below to create a gorgeous beachy feel that suits modern, natural and eclectic homes.
Style with texture: Use white stone like unpolished marble and textured travertine for exterior flooring and feature spaces; natural elements like timber, rope and corals; and luxe linens in soft hues with woven baskets detailing your room.
Styling with cool whites: pick up soft greys, pewters, silvers, pale blues and greens to accent your white while keeping it light, cool and beachy
Styling with warm whites: Are you longing for white’s romantic side? Go for warm, creamy whites, grainy natural textures and plenty of detail, such as linen, lace, porcelain and white washed pieces.
Plants and flowers: Make use of our lush tropical environment and use the stunning array of flora and fauna on offer – Orchids, palms, frangipani’s and heliconias (commonly termed Birds of Paradise) are all great options for our warm, humid environment. Choose beautiful textured potted plants for inside your home.
Finishing touches: Use natural weaves in floor rugs and baskets; soft timbers in your furniture choices or building finishes; and mirrors will bring the outside colours into your home. Add big glass doors and windows and utilize glass in pendant lights and vases to allow the light to flow through your home.
Don’t be afraid to mix modern with earthy and natural: You don’t have to stick with one theme! Modernise an earthy home with sharp clean lines on your kitchen counters and vanities and soften a modern home with texture, flowers and plants.
Lighting: Always use warm white light bulbs when choosing your lighting. This will create a warm, ambient light for your home. If you would like to use a brighter light in bathrooms and other areas of the house, go with a white light rather than blue tones like flourescents.