Color Pairings: White on White (The Gender-Neutral Version)

The other day I posted a Color Coordinates column about chic and romantic white interiors.  The room inspirations were ones to swoon over.  After reading the column, a friend of mine from college commented, "lovely" (which made me happy) and that she would do a whole house of white on white if she were single.  It made me wonder, why not now that she is married?  She indicated that she tried to decorate a room of white, and her husband did not find it to be "in any way gender neutral."  Sometimes, it is difficult for us women to curb our enthusiasm for feminine decor.  But there must be some way to meld our wants with our men's needs--interior decor-wise anyway.  Can we find white room inspirations that reflect gender neutrality?  So this morning, I went on a hunt for some that seemed neutral in more ways than one.  See  below and let me know what you think!

[caption id="attachment_97" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Furniture Fashion"][/caption]

Go minimalist glam. It has touches of both masculine and feminine decor. Defined shapes like the linear lines that frame the room gives it a structured, masculine feel. But the room is balanced by the glammed-up, more feminine chandelier. I may add a textured, organically shaped white rug under the table and chairs just to round out the feminine-side of the decor.

[caption id="attachment_98" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="From Coastal Living"][/caption]

Omit ornate shapes. Ornate shapes tend to be associated with more feminine decor. This room has very clean lines that make it neither masculine nor feminine. Add a hint of color with some fresh flowers like a bluish hydrangea to soften the lines...but keep away from pinks, reds, or any kind of blush shade.

[caption id="attachment_103" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Apartment Therapy"][/caption]

To break the white monotony, while maintaining that predominantly white room look, mix in a little silver, grey, or slate. Translucent also works. I love both of these rooms, but what I mean to show you is the living room image on the right. To me, the left dining room image has too feminine shaped chairs.

[caption id="attachment_107" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="From Urban Sardines"][/caption]

Here's another take on the grey/white pairing. I'd paint the wood headboard white with silver undertones to achieve the white on white feel to the decor. Adding a textured slate or grey coverlet will bring some softness to the room.

[caption id="attachment_99" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="From Mail Online"][/caption]

Punch it up with high gloss white. If you're going to go modern gender-neutral, I'd say gloss it up like this kitchen and add a feminine fixture like the chandelier shown in the image above.

[caption id="attachment_105" align="aligncenter" width="400" caption="By Stephen Mays via Kelly G Design"][/caption]

And if you just can't resist leaning more slightly feminine, like this bedroom...then....

[caption id="attachment_100" align="aligncenter" width="499" caption="By Stephen Cohen via Kelly G Design"][/caption]

Be sure to have a TV that can be hidden!