Set a Serene White Dining Room

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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