There’s More Going on in the White House Than You Might Think

Well, well, well…It seems now that HGTV and that evil Debbie Travis have persuaded us all to paint our home interiors shades of Elegant Eggplant, Tuscan Turquoise, and Rodeo Red, the latest magazines are back to basic white. As in Windswept White, Willowy White, Wispy White–anything to evoke mental pictures of fresh, clean, crisp COLOR-ABSENT VOGUE!!!!!

What a scam. Fortunately, I’ve spent the past year in indecisiveville contemplating a bold change for my living room. I fell for the turquoise trick in my guest room. Leaf Bud green did add a subtly cheerful look to my computer room. But I have been too wishy-washy and just plain lazy regarding inspiration for the main rooms. Thank God!

Now, my decision’s made. I don’t have to keep getting color samples and trying to imagine what Desert Gold will look like in a living room. Will it be too dark? Will it be too much? Will I have to get all new pictures and new furniture? That’s too much pressure for me.

Then there’s the matter of trying not to get the wall color on the trim or the trim color on the wall. And working up against the ceiling, forget it. I don’t have the hands–or the patience–of a surgeon. That pun was not intended, I swear.

Last week, even before I saw this article, I ”re-invented” my hallway, eighty-sixing the sage green–I’m so over sage green. It seemed dark, dingy and funeral parlorish so I went back to plain white. It’s bright, airy and clean looking now. I did the same thing in one of the bathrooms, figuring the tile has color and I can add or change color with shower curtains, towels, pictures, and other accessories. Not a new concept, I realize, but since I’ve been driving myself nuts with colorful candidates, I feel like I just split the atom of common sense and good taste.

I like the way most pictures look against stark, white walls–especially paintings in dark wood frames. I like that you can decorate with rich dark antiques and patterned rugs or modern chrome and bold solids. They all appear showcased against the plainness. White feels cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Now I’m justifying.

Don’t get me wrong. I love the bold colors too and I really do love Debbie Travis. Truth be known, I wish she could come live with me and lead me to places I’ve never dared to go. But, since I’m a big chicken, for now I’ll go with Wimpy Wedontknow White. And I’ll display the magazine with the “Whiten Up” article on the coffee table–just to prove I know what I’m doing.