JULY COLOUR OF THE MONTH: Winter White     

Why is winter white our colour of the month?
White is the colour of peace and purity. Its uncluttered simplicity will help cleanse your mind of worry and open it up to fresh ideas and creativity. With so much stress and tension in the world today, it’s no wonder that people are craving the cleansing, peaceful qualities of white. 

What’s on-trend about winter white?
Usually a colour reserved for summer, winter white has been huge on the red carpet and in fall and winter fashion weeks. Because it used to be the norm when painting, it may be considered bland and boring, but when the entire look is considered and planned, white transforms a space into something truly special.

Are you a winter white person?
People who are drawn to white:

• are tranquil and seek inner peace 
• strive for fairness
• are willing to go to great lengths to get the truth
• shed light in dark spaces
• often save the day, like the “The White Knight on his charger”
• may also be obsessed with hygiene and cleanliness

Which white is right for you?
While brilliant white can be cold and clinical and create too much glare in a room, off-whites are warmer, softer and are easier to live with.

Plascon’s 2012 forecast reds…
Look out for the White Inspiration brochure at your Plascon retailer – it’s filled with lovely winter whites, including Landing (E15-2), Liberia (E14-1) and Goose Down (WHT 10).  Beautiful winter whites on the Plascon Inspired colour stand include Moon Beam (Y5-A2-3) and Ivory White (Y4-B2-3). From the Designer Range, Plascon Pearl paint comes with a lustrous metallic finish.

Is white right for your room?
White is a neutral colour and can be used in any room of the house. But the secret to getting the look just right is all in the detail and treatment. An all-white room can be cold, boring, sterile and depressing, so be sure to add different shades and textures of white to create warmth and interest.
Consider bringing different off-white textures into your space, such as wool, weathered wood, pearl, linen and glass. Furniture, objects and mouldings work well in white because it really makes them stand out. And of course, white is also the favourite colour for skirtings, doors and ceilings.

Which colours make it work better?

• White provides the perfect canvas for any colour in the spectrum. Here are a few great examples…
• BLACK gives a room a contemporary look when paired with white.
• GOLD adds a plush but subtle sense of style.
• BLUE can be paired with white for a classic, refreshing look and feel.
• YELLOW will add an uplifting boost.
• RED provides the perfect foil for whites, bringing a sense of fun and energy.

Tips on using it in your space…

• Use the whitest white for items you want to highlight, such as mouldings – Plascon Polvin has the whitest white. The combination of bright white and softer off-whites creates a calming look without being boring. 
• For a subtle but interesting wall finish, try alternating stripes in a matt paint like Plascon Cashmere and a sheen paint like Double Velvet, tinted to the same winter white.
• You can also try this with a stencil design to create a damask effect. The effect works beautifully with Plascon Pearl paint.