Set a Serene White Dining Room

Story by Kate Abney

Let's cool it with the color talk. Here, designer Ware M. Porter shows you how to master the art of monochrome in the dining room. 

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Neutral Birmingham Dining Room

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Designer Ware Porter is a "color person" through and through. But because he so often hosts neutral-minded design pros, he wanted a blank slate in his own Birmingham dining room for their creative energies to converge. Though a departure from his normal color palette, the room does have all the skillful furniture placement, proportion, scale, layering, and—of course—aplomb he's known for. Here is how Ware makes neutrals glamorous.

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Steer Clear of Stark and Sterile

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

"I rarely use pure white—unless it's for eye-popping trim," Ware says. "People are often afraid of whites with pink, yellow, or green undertones, but they are actually the whites I love. Everyone looks better in warmer colors!"

 

Layer Tone on Tone
A mix of textiles and objects is the key to Ware's tailored approach. Tactile trims, rattan stools, and a plush Moroccan rug create visual contrast with the white-lacquered Chippendale chairs and sleek ceramics.

 

Taking the tones up a notch, Ware layered a gilt mirror atop a monochromatic mural by artist Jan Roberts.

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The Fabrics

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Varying the textures takes this white room to another level. For the windows, Ware adorned Ultrasuede shades with matching sumptuous wool bullion fringe.

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The Place Setting

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

A table set with scads of polished silver, crisp linens, fine china, and bamboo demonstrates the art of the mix, combining rustic and refined, old and new.

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