“White Chocolate Minimalism” Is the New Interior Trend to Watch
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- 27 Feb 2023
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The defining characteristic of today’s design world may well be its incredible diversity: It’s tough to think of another time when so many different looks—warm minimalism, maximalist ebullience, cutting-edge shiny sleekness, Old World classicism, tropical vibrance—could all be in play simultaneously. In and among those competing strands of style, though, the calmer, quieter thread seems to be capturing the hearts of more and more professionals and their clients. Grounded in the “form follows function” directness of 20th-century modernism, influenced by the pared-down sensibilities of figures like John Saladino, Michael Taylor, and Axel Vervoordt, this movement’s partisans lean toward primarily neutral colors and largely organic materials to construct rooms of sophisticated yet unfussy comfort.
Serenity is the goal. “Look, we live in a kind of chaotic world, right?” says Alabama architect and AD PRO Directory member Jeffrey Dungan, who aims to imbue the residences he creates with a sense of clarity and repose. “We need a little peace—and our homes are our respite.” This sentiment is echoed by Calla Cane, whose design practice spans both coasts (California and Connecticut): “I think we are receiving so much stimulation through our phones and computers that most people are looking to come home to a sanctuary.” Particularly following the enforced seclusion of COVID and the growth of remote work, she notes, “We find that there are more and more requests for clean lines, organization, and a spa-like feel.”
With restraint in mind, spaces aren’t be packed with too much stuff. Forms are kept uncomplicated, tones muted, furnishings few—avoiding any visual (or literal) clutter. In these interiors, says Keren Richter of New York’s White Arrow, also listed on the AD PRO Directory: “Color and pattern are no longer the focus, but materiality, scale, proportion, and the hand element are paramount.”
The preferred tonality of neutral-color rooms has varied over time, from yellow-tinged “magnolia blossom” whites in the 1980s to the sea of chilly grays that have inundated social media postings during the past decade. Most recently, however, such subdued-chic interiors have tended to come drenched in something like the hue of a freshly whipped up béchamel sauce. Call the aesthetic “white chocolate minimalism,” perhaps.
So, given that the fashion continues to surge in popularity—and since making simplicity isn’t actually all that simple—we asked an assortment of professionals from across the US to share thoughts on how they achieve their best results.
1. Careful composition is paramount
The fewer the components that make up a room, the more attention each of them will get. “Minimal shouldn’t be boring!” advises Alizée Brion, director of Light on White in Miami. “Select furnishings that have interesting shapes and finishes. Stay away from the mass-produced and try to work with artisans and craftsmen who make unique pieces.” For New York’s Magdalena Keck, collaborating with makers on site-specific works “is a fantastic way to marry the designer’s vision with their expertise. Galleries that deal in vintage pieces are also a wonderful resource,” she continues. “The patina of aged materials gives yet another dimension, as do the methods and details of fabrication from different eras and cultures.”
And the envelope of a space is just as important as its contents. “If a space has interesting architectural features, high ceilings, or views, we’ll play those up,” says Richter. “Where they are missing, we’ll work hard to bring character into the home through interesting flooring, moldings, reclaimed fireplaces, or doors.” Dungan sums it up like this: “Compelling rooms have views, both internally and externally. They have a focal point, or two—and they have a surprise somewhere. They have a shape that holds your attention.”
2. Structure your monochrome rooms with texture
Designer Calla Cane has combined multiple textures through the rug, fabrics, and painted timber beams in this bedroom.
Photo: Carina Skrobecki
“The key is in the variation,” Brion says. “You can have every piece of furniture be the same shade of off-white in a room as long as all the textures and materials are different. Recently we’ve been using a lot of bouclé, shearling, or hair-on-hide fabrics and leathers. You can mix materials in area rugs, too, contrasting luxurious silk with rougher fibers such as sisal or allo. (One of our favorite rug suppliers, Erden, just came out with a stunning collection of rugs that integrate metal inlays!)”
According to Susana Simonpietri, creative director of Chango & Co. in Brooklyn, “If you want a space that’s very well finished in whites and creams, you should be looking at it holistically. Take the walls, for example. Ask yourself: Can I do plaster? Lime wash? Wallpaper? Or even put some leather on the walls?” On this score, both Cane and designer Diana Wagenbach of AD PRO Directory–listed firm Studio W suggest checking out the specialty finishes from Portola Paints & Glazes. Wagenbach especially prizes them for providing “warmth and movement and shadows, so it’s not just a sterile white wall. It’s also a little more affordable for a painter to do than actually bringing in an artisan who does plaster.” Read More…
