apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

other patrick,
I guess what you are missing is the following:
1) I have never worked on a project like that and want to avoid pitfalls.
2) I have a limit budget and cannot afford to redo anything.
3) I wanted to find out from experienced amateurs & pro the obvious mistake to avoid.
4) I wanted to find magazines & reference book to guide me.

In my limited experience, knowing what you are after is not a guarantee of the result, I guess that's why some spend years taking courses to become interior decorators. Most posters did get it and made valuable suggestions.

As for "some guy", does he really deserve an answer?

Thank you all

only a reader of Apartment Therapy would ask his fellow morons how to paint everything is his house white. it's easy. white paint, paintbrush. leave your shoes and pets at the door.

1. Go to amazon.com and look up books on John Pawson (there's a bunch of them) and Claudio Silvestrin (by Bertoni).
2. At amazon.com, there are also source books on minimalism (showing furniture and rooms).
3. For inspiration, visit the Calvin Klein flagship store on Madison Avenue.
4. For accessories, visit a Muji store. If you can't fly to Tokyo, London or Paris - there are samples at the Moma design store.

There's also a book called "White" that features lots of pictures and art about, well, white. I'm not sure if it has many interiors, but it does have a diverse set of pictures and would be good inspiration. If you look it up on Amazon, it's by the people who bought you "Red". If you do plan on going through with this, you'll really have to pay attention to the shape and texture of your furnishings... I'd also take the white apartment lady's advice and make sure everything is easily cleaned.

also needs lots of natural light to make "white" pop. drop me a line if you're looking for a designer.

AT, thank you for posting my request. I'll gladly invite you over when I'm done. Promised.

I will check the suggested books.

JMC, I do have plenty of light but not much money for a designer. Unless you want to work pro-bono to show your "humaniste" side.

The other thing about white is to make sure that you have good clean wall surfaces. When I have good sunlight in the morning I can see every filled nailhole and bad plaster fix in my glossy white walls. If you're doing this yourself, try to seriously scrape, sand and clean anything that's not brand new.

I've personally done custom artwork for some of my minimalist clients here in Sydney who have all white spaces. Good luck and let me know if you need help sourcing any pieces etc. I have contacts who are also minimalist interior designers who are very keen on white spaces.

I agree with Mary, spend your money on the walls, floors, and
lighting. Anything you add will look great in this perfect setting.
For inspiration, go to Barnes and Noble skim the interiors magazines and purchase the ones you like and make tear sheets.Then stroll over to the interior design books and pour over those for inspiration.Also visit as many spaces that can inspire you. Moss, Barneys 2nd floor for women on 61st St., BDDW at 5 Crosby St.,Aero on Broome are some of mine.

other patrick,
I forgot to say thank you for the Allison SPEAR reference. Very good one.

I have to second Patrick (the other one): the secret to an attractive monochromatic scheme really seems to be texture. Without it, I think the space will be really cold. I would definitely try to include things like pillows that are knit or felt or that Mongolian lamb, maybe white-stained wood (is there such a thing?), ceramics, etc. I don't think it has to cost that much. Check out West Elm or Ikea or Target, the usual cheap chic suspects.

I think I am missing something... if you know you want all white, what's left to research? All I can add is that when going monochromatic, it's all about texture , baby! White shiny vinyl against white shag , to give you an idea. The Terrence Conran Shop is aalso a good place to start, but if you don't have money for a designer, you might not get very far at Conran's! (also as inspiration, though, check out the work of Allison Spear).
oh, and "some guy"... thank you, fellow moron! we would have foolishly used black paint.

Hey, Charles, thanks for the comments. Didn't mean to sound flippant (for a change!) I have a number of recent shelter mags that have all white or nearly all-white looks going on, but I'm traveling now, so will send you some more ideas when I get back.

Other Patrick,
You were flippant, helpfull but flippant and you have to get me the mags you referred to if you want me to forgive.
Hope to hear from you soon.

I love a bachelor who gives ultimatums.

Charles--
Check out the February issue of House Beautiful... "Lofty Ideas" interiors by the talented Kerry Joyce, in three separate loft model apartments. One is mostly white, the second is almost pure white/ivory.
Also, though it may be hard to track down, the Fall 2002 edition of "Living Room" a special interest pub from Better Homes and Gardens. The article-- "10 Reasons Why White is Right Now"-- features a great high-style apartment by interiors guy David Netto. Very James Bond.

Hey, and on a quick scouting trip to Ikea, West Elm, DWR, Room and Board and CB2, I spotted lots of way-cool stuff to get you started. But you need to agree to use me as a consultant before I give you any more info! I really would be interested, and not for any exorbitant amount...