Let’s talk about ambience. It’s by way of a ‘sort-of’ criticism of this house. It’s not a major problem, but what interests me is how so many people appear to disagree with my viewpoint.
Most of the walls are white.
Worst of all, for me, is the living room being all-white. I’m countering it to some degree—I’m filling as much wall space as I can with original artwork and prints. It improves things a lot. (Okay, so I might move. But the new place will 95% probably have white walls too, and I’ll be dealing with it the same way.)
I hate white walls. To me, it lacks atmosphere—it creates a feeling of sterility. Some people call it neutral but I call it sterile. If I had the autonomy to repaint this place, the living room would be a subdued purple or a reddish-brown. Whatever you hang on a wall like that really pops out, pleasingly, and the backdrop is so much warmer and friendlier.
Likewise, I’d have carpet. The floor is laminated wood panelling. Every single place I looked at when house-hunting had white walls and wood panel floors. It’s the ‘thing’, so they say. Who says? Anne Maurice? Who fucking cares? The arbiters of good taste snap their fingers and the sheep follow in a huge, hive-minded mass. Yes, that’s right: interior decoration becomes another religion. :-/
Does anyone really like white walls, or do they merely assimilate the ‘received wisdom’ (I hate that term/concept) that they’re ‘neutral’ and ‘fashionable’, that it ‘creates the impression of space’ and blah-de-blah? Surely most people, left to their own devices, prefer an environment that feels warm and relaxing? Or is it just me? (I know it isn’t. Some of my friends agree, some don’t.)
Warm colours for me too! Right with you on the whole ‘white’ thing. I’m looking at an aubergine-y colour for at least one of my work-room walls, and the rest something not far behind. Our one wooden-floored room is nice, but nicer thanks to the big shaggy rug that covers most of it.
I have mixed contradictory feelings. Partial white does seem rather dull in the places i’ve lived in but perhaps thats down to seeing myself as (and being) a lousy home decorator. That said, they often looked improved with a good wipe down with a damp cloth ! Bugs look terrible on white !
All white….well one of my most intimate friends had an all-white home so I came to connect that look with her and the time shared there. I also find it perfectly understandable how you dislike it. That said, I think white walls are best in exhibitions and gallerys and I’d love to see your frames there !
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