Guest Picks: Glossy White
White gloss has a timeless quality that I think will endure due to our attraction to purity and lightness. Who doesn't want to live with a little of that?
— Denise from The Swelle Life
I like the wide, strong structure of this bedside chest, a style typically seen in oak and mahogany. A bedroom suite of all white gloss with white linens and large windows allowing for lots of natural light is a wonderfully clean look that would be at home in a beachfront home. It would also be tempting to contrast the simplicity of the furniture with boldly patterned wallcoverings and blankets in bright colors.
This is a lovely, clean piece with simple, elegant curves. But it's begging for a little oomph in the way of custom drawer pulls. An icy blue crystal would be gorgeous against the glossy white with a vase atop to match.
I may not be the type to have furniture that screams "my owner is so hip it hurts," but this is a pretty cool TV stand, and then some. It would make a perfect present for my husband, if he ever manages to get me to evacuate his den and reclaim his space. In addition to its sleek, clean design, the stand has a built-in control panel that resembles a hot rod's dashboard with all kinds of essential, as well as fun, features, including a karaoke system for those who like to play American Idol in their living room.
Despite the exquisite craftsmanship inherent in them, I've never been a fan of the heavy, traditional, mahogany grandfather clock — at least not in terms of living with one. But this lighter-looking, more modern version is gorgeous and doesn't conjure smells of mothballs and cigars. To allow it to stand out, I'd love to see it placed within bright candy colors and organic shapes, something like a Karim Rashid wonderland to give it a more surreal feel and take it as far away from the old and traditional as possible.
This is a nice and airy piece that can be used as a stool or table. It would be great in small spaces — tuck it away under a larger table and pull it out when an extra seat is needed. A small stack of books placed atop it in a sunlit corner could be charming, and it could also serve well as a place to throw keys and mail near the front door.
White gloss doesn't have to be plain! I love the textures of this porcelain mosaic tile. Any room, outside space, wall or floor would be instantly invigorated from a touch of it. It would be beautiful as a path to a backyard pool, surrounded by a garden of pink and white peonies.
This is such a fantastic set, a godsend for those wanting more dimension and functionality in a small kitchen. The stools tuck in neatly when not used, and the breakfast bar can double as a centerpiece for plants, flowers and other pretty things. It's an instant eat-in kitchen if you have as little as one square meter to spare — even better if you have a window nearby!
There's something so irresistible about wall-to-wall white gloss. For me, it's all about the shiny, clean look that just feels so pure. However, it could feel sterile without color, so it would only be a truly happy space with bold accents in reds, blues, yellows or greens, or maybe a pastel look with dusty pinks and blues and minty greens.
You can't go wrong with white and glossy in the shower. A backdrop of pool blue glass tiles would complement the white beautifully and keep the shower from feeling too clinical.
About a decade ago, mixing dark woods with clean whites was a hot interiors trend. It's still a fresh look today, and if you want to incorporate it subtly, this walnut, two-door cupboard with white gloss doors for your home office is a good start. The richness of the wood anchors the piece, and the shiny white creates a nice, airy feel — a good thing in a room that tends to attract clutter.
I know from my own long search that small spaces such as bathrooms can be difficult to furnish, especially when looking for a tall cabinet that makes the most of the height of a room that can't accommodate much in depth and width. This tall white gloss unit is one of those rare pieces that offers maximum storage in minimum space, and it looks good too. It features one handy drawer, and the interior has shelves to store toiletries. Chrome handles finish the look, and it comes fully assembled, another rarity.
Wall-hung fireplaces are an ultra-modern look. I love the boldness of this flue-less gas fire and its versatility. It's great for houses without chimneys, and it's a space-saving alternative to the gas fireplace.
Ornate detailing can be complemented quite nicely with white gloss. This French cheval mirror is classic and feminine, and it's the perfect piece for a woman's dressing room. It would look gorgeous with a matching vanity and lots of blush pink silk lingerie strewn about.
I like the idea of a modern cafe look in the kitchen, especially near a big window with lots of sunlight washing over it. I see a red vase with a single yellow gerbera daisy on it, but that also reminds me of the cafes you might find at an art gallery. To make this look more individual and homey, I'd soften it up with a pretty tablecloth and a unique tea set.
If you've done your kitchen in a white glossy scheme, you'll either want to contrast the fixtures with bold appliances or find pieces that don't disturb the neat minimalism of the look by blending into the background. A combination of both would also work brilliantly to add style without visual overload. This white toaster will keep things looking clean and uncluttered, especially with its compact size. It features extra-wide toasting slots and a re-heat function.
What I like about this lamp is that I imagine it would have the quiet effect of a curvy apparition in the living room. Its glossy white, long and delicate form is elegant and unobtrusive; it's the perfect piece for a minimally furnished room or for adding a light source to a fully furnished space where an addition needs to blend in invisibly.
White gloss is gorgeous when combined with the transparency of glass, and this sideboard incorporates it brilliantly as a full top. I would keep the theme of lightness strong by placing transparent pieces on top in clear and icy blues.
This is a clean and modern alternative to the traditional wooden coat rack that also serves as sculpture when it's not being used for holding coats. It's the kind of piece that makes the most of a space problem. No one will notice your lack of a front closet; they'll be busy admiring your cool coat rack!Next: Dreaming of a White Christmas
I love a delicately carved console table with highly stylized legs, especially when paired with complementary wallpaper and floors. It turns a bland hallway into an enchanting pathway into your home. Stripes, damask, or florals in soft colors would make a gorgeous backdrop, and white plank floors would complete the romantic look.
Q