There is something tantalizingly timeless about a white room. This gorgeously pure color palette feels calming and chic; but the biggest challenge is to keep it from feeling boring. The key is to pair this minimalist color palette with more expressive furnishings. So, what does this combination look like in practice?

Yves St. Laurent's Paris living room is one of our all-time favorite examples. Photos from 1971 showcase the fashion designer's elegant take on an all-white color scheme, featuring white built-in shelves, white armchairs, and plenty of François-Xavier Lalanne sheep stools (Etsy offers relatively affordable reproductions of this design icon). Though the neutral colors ground the space, it's full of life, personality, and characterful accents.

From the artfully cluttered built-ins to the use of texture throughout the space, Yves's white living room is a masterclass in bringing warmth to a pared-back color scheme.

The first lesson to be taken from Yves's space is that combining different shades of white is the key to keeping it interesting. Rather than using one stark hue, he layers the bright walls with the off-white warmth of the natural sheepskin on his stools.

Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director and Color Expert at Dulux, explains: 'White isn’t one-dimensional - heritage-led shades with nuanced undertones and layered finishes can make spaces feel calmer, more inviting and effortlessly sophisticated.'

This technique helps to create depth and coziness, elevating a white scheme from simply calming to truly welcoming.

Recreate Yves's Look at Home

Decorating with white requires careful balance, but Yves St. Laurent's living room creates an easy-to-follow formula. These are our recommendations inspired by his space.

The next lesson in Yves's space is that open storage always works well with an all-white color scheme. His white buit-ins create space to feature books and artwork, which feels so much more interesting and layered than plain white walls.

Bo Hellberg, CMO of String Furniture, advises: 'Treat your shelf like a canvas and create a work of art on top of it with artfully styled "clutter." Not only is it fun to create your own organic and changing artwork from your own knick-knacks, but it is a great way to save space. When you lift things off the floor and use shelving as a storage solution, you create the illusion of a larger space.'

This technique is so helpful because it is versatile and can be fit into a variety of home styles. 'The general rule when choosing furniture for a room you would like to extend is to use slim-line design silhouettes which provide an overall lighter aesthetic,' Bo recommends. 'Modular shelving does exactly this – not distracting from the flow of the room but making a subtle design statement at the same time.'

Furthermore, fall is the perfect time of year to tap into Yves's beautifully styled shelves, which create a cozy feeling in the home as chilly weather sets in.

Cari Bateman, Senior Designer at Neville Johnson, states, 'As we move into autumn and prepare our homes for the colder months, it’s the perfect time to refresh your shelves. Start by taking a look at what you already have and consider the different heights you can create. Design elements such as photo frames, vases and tall candle holders are perfect for adding height, while coffee table books provide a grounding foundation for your styling. Negative space is equally important to create balance. You can also add vases or jugs with seasonal flowers or branches to tune in to the autumn transition. Above all, avoid overcrowding. Take heed of the old saying: less is truly more.'

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