Do you like the white on white look? You can try using the shams and dust ruffle from one set with the coverlet from the other set, then add pillows. Put some flowers in a nightstand vase for color.

If you're not going for that look, I know I had bad results trying to mix a bedspread with an ivory background in a room with all white furniture. But maybe that was just me...

Not sure that I want a white on white look, massagegirl. I think I just want a clean, restful look. I remember asking a decorator about this once and he told me that I should use an ivory matelasse coverlet because it gave a softer look. And, then I asked another decorator the same thing, and she said to use a white coverlet! LOL That's the reason I think it might be a personal thing. I wonder if anyone out there has an example of this -- that is, using an ivory coverlet with off-white walls and also using a white coverlet with off-white walls. Thanks for your prompt response, massagegirl.

I think it is a personal choice and depends on the other elements of the room and the overall feeling you want to achieve. Of course, you can mix them, too. Ralph Lauren had a very successful bedding collection several years ago called Hope Chest that mixed whites and off-whites.

I think you can use white with off-white walls if another major element of the room is white like your trim or your draperies. If everything in the room is off-white and muted, I think it's much harder to use a white coverlet successfully.

That makes sense, forhgtv. My bed is iron in a marbelized finish and my dresser is pale yellow in a style called New French. In one corner, I have a ladies Victorian parlor chair in a pale finish like my dresser, and it is upholstered in raspberry velvet. I use blinds and valances on the tall windows which are on either side of the dresser. The valances are a floral print in blues, yellows, and pinks. I have three botanical rose prints above the bed, the center one being higher than the other two. The matting for the pictures is dusty blue, in a paisley pattern. Two of the prints have pink roses and the other has white. So, you see, I have a lot of pattern going on in the room. That's why I want simple bedding. I do have a coverlet in dusty blue. Would that be a better choice than a white or ivory matelasse coverlet?

Can you post a picture, Stargirl? That would help everyone so much.

The room sounds interesting, I'd like to see a pic too. At this point it's sounding like the cream coverlet would work best, but that's JMO.

Usually (but not always) an off-white or ivory seems to work best for me with a lot of other colors/prints going. Is there any type of cream or beige in your valances or botanical prints? The colors sound "soft", which would lead me to using ivory.

If your colors are sharp and crisp, the white might work better. WIthout pictures, that would be the way I would make my decision.

Tuesday

Seldom do I use a real white. I think a softer version of it is so much warmer. I don't even care for stark white in the woodwork but a love an off white. It appears white but it has warmth. I would think you'd real white if you want a clean cool crisp look.

forhgtv & tuesday have good ideas about the ivory/white. The dusty blue would be pretty too from what you've posted. Pictures?

I've always thought that if you have mostly cool colors; white would look the best. But from what you're saying, you have the warm tones, so ivory would look nice. This is one instance where pictures are worth a thousand words.

I think Tuesday described the decision criteria very well. However, an easy way to make the decision would be to lay a white sheet over your bed and see if you like the look of white in your room or if it feels too stark.

I'm an ivory/off-white gal myself, but that is just personal preference over stark white. I agree with Yayagirl's thoughts and the clean/crisp look.

tina

The look of whites and ivories will change with the lighting and surrounding undertones. I would buy one of each, try them out and return the one you don't like. I think you'll have an easy time choosing once you see each color in the room.

Thank you all for the great advice. I wish I could post pictures but I'm probably the only one on this forum who doesn't have that capability. LOL As much as I like white bedding, I think everyone is right about ivory being the better choice. I do have white bedding in one of my other bedrooms, but I was going for a cool, tropical feel in there. I have turquoise sheets on the bed to pick up with the turquoise water in a waterscape I have in the room. So I suppose it does depend on the look one is going for, as whether to use white or ivory.