Pages

Monday, February 10, 2014

Starting Out White



Like a clean slate, I'm starting the week off with white. People often describe white rooms as calming, but it's an energizing color for me. It's clarifying and helps me think and organize for the day or week.




And yes, it's quiet. Opening up your eyes to white soothes you while it wakes you up at the same time.




The coffee table got piled even higher over the weekend. I picked up Christina Strutt's (Cabbages & Roses) A Guide to Natural Housekeeping as much for the photos as for the sensible advice. In the intro she refers to herself as an "eco worrier", but one might describe her more as an eco warrior! I have yet to read it, but I skimmed the "Caring for antiques" section and already learned that storing silverware with a piece of chalk tucked in prevents tarnishing.








While doing a little of my own housekeeping I couldn't help but notice the play of white textures in this corner. The knitted pillow covers have just been washed and are ready to put back on the pillows. Folks think that the down side of living with white is that it shows dirt. But that's a good thing! You can have things clean more often. But believe me, I am no housecleaning nut.





It's so much easier to toss something into the wash than to keep cleaning upholstery. Especially with cats and kids!




A little white still life cheers me up. . .








I also wanted to show you the soft damask dinner napkins with a family monogram that I found yesterday. Seven for three dollars. . . .  Now, who could walk past that!?

I hope you enjoy this fresh new week. Always so much to do!
Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a word with me!
 I am still working at getting back to all of you.

Jacqueline




Join me at

30 comments:

  1. All your whites are beautiful and now I want that book! I do so admire all things Cabbages and Roses. The fabric was supposed to come to the US but I have yet to see it. White interiors feel uncluttered to me...well I guess that is only if they are not cluttered with white! I find the white palette to be calming and inspiring.

    ReplyDelete
  2. If you have a back ground in art,you will learn from the color wheel that white is not a color. It is the absence of ALL COLOR. If you had a little color then white becomes a shade of a color and if you add a little black it becomes a tint. White is the presence of all color, mix all colors together and you get black. White is easy and safe and maybe just to safe.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jacqueline,
    Love, LOVE, L O V E all the play on textures in this "Starting (the week) Out White" post, dear friend!!!
    The white still life vignette made my heart skip a beat!!!
    I awoke to 3 inches of freshly fallen SNOW, and much like you, I was energized to get to work!!! Most of the day has been productively spent in Studio One!!!
    I adore the monogram napkins!!!
    Have a wonderful week ahead!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

    ReplyDelete
  4. This post sings to my heart!
    I love how you have that old ceiling tin leaning against the wall, I have a similar look in my master now!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a gorgeous room, totally and utterly calming and awesome....beautiful still life pics - well done as only you can do@

    I did a post on white/neutrals in St. Valentine decor today. It makes me so happy. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I am loving white more & more! But I admit I tend to live in an upside down world right now. I am trying to change my colors little by little since I have moved in our new to us house.
    I love the way your living room looks, so calming. It just says rest!
    You are inspiration to me!
    Blessings My Friend,

    ReplyDelete
  7. I agree with you. I think white is an uplifting color and love using it more now that ever.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your sun room just speaks to me. I love the white and the textures are just beautiful. Such a warm inviting room. I am redoing our living room and I think that white will be the main focus with little pops of soft color and texture.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love this. Maybe it's both calming and energizing. My house is very colorful, but next time I move I'm going to try to use more white and neutrals.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love all of your white, Jacqueline...looks so beautiful! The cement sack is fun...my first memories are of living in El Paso as a young girl!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You've inspired me to look for whites while I'm thrifting.
    Blessings,
    Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage

    ReplyDelete
  12. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love all your whites and your flair for decorating is so creative and soothing. It must be fun collecting all these lovely linens and the white ironstone is my favourite.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I don't think I've ever seen this room, J! It is simply beautiful. I find white very calming as well, and with Oxy Clean, there is no reason not to have it!

    Those napkins were an absolute steal.

    XO,
    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  15. What a luvly room. ok, now I have to find that book Jacqueline. Who knew about the chalk??
    Score on the napkins by the way.

    ReplyDelete
  16. So fresh and crisp with such careful placement! I admire that so much. Can't seem to live by it, but I do admire it! This is all lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I do love your home, Jacqueline, and take such visual comfort in seeing how you mix things up but always with that gentle, calming white and cream. (Although you would certainly have your fill of white if you were on the receiving end of all the snow we keep getting!) Those chairs are so inviting... and I love the still life. Hoping you have a lovely week.

    ReplyDelete
  18. The extra large doily on the chair back is so lovely, I love the texture it brings. I'm going to have to get a copy of A Guide to Natural Housekeeping...sounds very interesting. Those napkins with the "F" monogram are fantastic...great find!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I get inspiration from all white, too. I love the white tin screen in the background. Beautiful piece. I haven't figured how to go all white in my home as you have but some of my favorite photos I have saved from blogs (for inspiration only) are yours.

    ReplyDelete
  20. You do all white so well, Jacqueline! All the different shades of white and textures you gather together make beautiful vignettes and rooms.
    Mary Alice

    ReplyDelete
  21. These are gorgeous pictures and textures. You do everything to perfection. I try and clean my home as naturally as possible. With two little doxies I clean with a lot of white vinegar. The y are so close to the ground I want them safe, I know a little n utty but I can't help myself with them, LOL!

    Cynthia

    ReplyDelete
  22. I often think I would love to have a all white room.. maybe in the future.. yours is just lovely.. with love Janice

    ReplyDelete
  23. You have the knack of making whites and neutrals look colorful!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your room is just dreamy! I love the beauty of white, and you've done it so well!! :)
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi J,
    Such a lovely visit to your sitting room! You have that gorgeous, light again! Your tabletop vignette is so yummy, (not just the fab clocks) but all the texture, you have a delicious style:-)
    Hugs,
    B

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love that gorgeous sitting room. It is fresh and calming indeed. It is welcoming and warm. I can see myself spending hours in that room reading a good book such as the one on your post.

    Have a great rest of the week.

    ReplyDelete
  27. So lovely, like an angel's cloud! I love all the texture and the subtle shades. Your vignette is so charming, too. A winter's dream. Hugs xo Karen

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your whites are so beautiful, and I love all the textures in your space! I haven't seen this book, but have enjoyed several other books by Christina Strutt. I have her "Decorating Vintage Style", and have referred to it again and again over the years.
    Those napkins are gorgeous!

    Jeanette

    ReplyDelete
  29. So pretty and cozy. You have such a knack for putting things together!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Beautiful... All the tones and shades of white! And wow... i can't believe you found those monogram napkins for $3.00! I will never walk by a pretty piece of linen or lace again without thinking of you!

    Cindy

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for commenting! You may also comment at jqbaros@gmail.com. Thank you!