White on white, Stephanie Hoppen

I love flicking through books on various aspects of design, from which I have gained much inspiration for the way I live my life.

One of my favourite books is White on white by Stephanie Hoppen.

The cover note begins with the words

“White is the color for all seasons, and it never goes out of style. Rest your tired soul in a cool summer beach room, revel in the sumptuousness of an orange-white living room steeped in autumn elegance, or welcome winter with a classic gold-and-white table setting.”

The idea of white being a colour for all seasons is so true, and the book is beautifully arranged beginning with ideas for spring, and following through into summer, autumn and then winter.

This book is different – whilst it is packed with interior style, it does not just focus on the white furnishings and room sets.  Summer eating features images of crisp white meringues, and plates of sushi set for a floor level feast; whilst autumn is evoked with images of white custard squashes and a large glass bowl overflowing with juicy white currants.

An Easter table is dressed with white flowers including white anemones, lily of the valley and a mini forest of “Paper white” narcissi, whilst matt white eggs sit on clumps of Helxine soleirolii. Stephanie suggests suitable fabrics to protect yourself from the dazzling white summer sun, showing ideas for dressing your windows with simple cottons, canvas and muslins. Everything is covered from the white bath to the white comfort and white winter sparkle.

This really is a book for all seasons; the perfect picture of white for all year round.