Whatever the collection of colours in vogue at the time, there was always the need for a range of whites. Examples are readily found within the periods: the buildings of Palladio adhere to this palette of stone shades and off-whites to put over a look of classical refinement and it was towards the beginning of the 20th Century that Charles Rennie Mackintosh experimented with completely white colour schemes, bringing forth the age of the whites palette in its own right. This had a second heyday in the futuristic minimalism of the 1960s.

Today, at the beginning of the 21st Century, this neutral look still gives a completely contemporary feel to an interior, providing a canvas for all furniture and fittings, no matter which era they originally came from.

Interior styling
To maintain a period look and feel, complement a white colour scheme with period furniture and accessories. Larger items in the room such as sofas, tables and cabinets will help to define the overall style, however adding a modern piece such as a framed print, rug or even a vase will ensure the room does not become over styled.
Texture and simple understated patterning can help to bring a white colour scheme to life without it looking fussy or cluttered. Think of combining polished wood with natural matting, textured linen, gleaming silverware and sparkling glass for a look that resides in the past but looks very contemporary.