White always works – or so they say…
Colour designer Anna von Ketteler on white walls and why it’s worth exploring wall colours:
I wonder how and when the rumour started that “white” is the optimal shade for our walls. White needs light; otherwise, it looks grey. Pure white, as we paint it on our walls, is rarely found in nature.
2. December 2024 · Updated: 4. December 2024 · Reading Time: 5 Minutes
Antiquity was colourful, the Biedermeier and Art Nouveau periods were vibrant, and even the Bauhaus was full of colour. Yet, the majority of German living spaces today are painted white.
Historical development of white
During the Industrial Revolution, with the terrible smog that enveloped areas like the Ruhr region on a daily basis, white was seen as a symbol of the upper class – the social group that could afford to live away from the major factories. White was associated with purity and cleanliness. Today, our needs in Germany have changed thanks to the industrial progress of the past 150 years. For some, however, their home also serves as a status symbol – intended to appear distinctive, occasionally extravagant or sophisticated.
The significance of colour choice
Skillfully applied white, in a finely tuned shade, can achieve exactly that – appearing cohesive, refined, and harmonious. However, in most cases, white walls are chosen arbitrarily because it seems to be the easiest option. And that’s exactly how these spaces feel: interchangeable, unfinished, often uninviting, and not particularly individual. After all, the largest surface in our home – the walls – hasn’t been given much thought. Furthermore, architecture often loses its distinctiveness due to the seamless transition from white walls to white ceilings.
We spend a great deal of time considering the flooring, the kitchen design, or the tiles in the bathroom. Wall colours, on the other hand, are often initially overlooked, as selecting a colour feels abstract to many of us. Perhaps this delayed decision is due to the perception that wall colours can be changed relatively “easily” later? In reality, however, it is often the case that after moving into a freshly white-painted property, no repainting is done for several years.
“This is not a declaration of war on white walls; it is a plea to engage earlier and more thoughtfully with colour choices in one’s own home.”
Anna von Ketteler
Not every shade enhances a space
If someone were to present me with a colour fan containing over a thousand shades and I had to choose an aqua tone based on a small printed colour sample measuring 1 cm x 3 cm, only to suddenly find myself in a garishly turquoise swimming pool-like atmosphere because I either chose the wrong shade or it was mixed imprecisely, I can understand why white is often seen as a safe alternative.
Not all shades from a large colour fan look good on walls, and not all colour mixes have a calming effect on us. That’s why it’s so helpful to choose tones from a curated palette and to create large sample patches of the shades you’ve only seen on a small sample.
Quality differences in paints
It is equally important not only to consider which shade you want but also the quality of the paint. Do you prefer matt, powdery surfaces, a glossy finish on the walls, or perhaps a mineral paint that allows mineral-based lime plaster to breathe and is excellent for a healthy indoor climate?
As in all areas of life, there are significant quality differences in paints regarding the lightfastness of pigments, the complexity of shade formulations, and the properties of a paint base.
Depending on your requirements and budget, it is, of course, possible to achieve an appealing result even with more affordable paints. However, you should not fall into the misconception that they are equivalent. Imagine a genuine cashmere jumper compared to an imitation made of polyester fabric with a touch of cashmere – and feel the difference on your skin..
Four shades for RALF SCHMITZ
RALF SCHMITZ is well aware of these quality differences and has decided to place greater emphasis on the material of colour. Buyers of RALF SCHMITZ properties are now offered a selection of four new shades – ‘Ralf,’ ‘Klara,’ ‘Hieronymus,’ and ‘Heinrich’ – that complement the style of RALF SCHMITZ. Of course, you are not limited to these four shades and can also choose other tones from the Anna von Mangoldt collection.
Clients of RALF SCHMITZ, as well as anyone looking to refresh their white walls, can reach out directly to the team at RALF SCHMITZ or to my team at ANNA von MANGOLDT.
