COOL WHITE

While many bedrooms that aim to be spectacular are compromised by garishness and excess in elaborate and over-carved beds and furniture, and by strong colors that distract rather than enhance, the modernist approach in the Chinese bedroom can be calmer, more reliable and more pleasing to the eye. Whiteness, as exploited in the examples here, allows extra freedom and flexibility for spatial layout but demands care and is not so simple a theme to manage, despite appearances. An all-white setting, which typically and naturally extends to the bed linen, draws attention to elements that in different, more complex designs might pass unnoticed. Single non-white features become strong accents and can be both powerful and complementary when chosen well, such as the purple bed throw, the pair of red fabric lanterns and the carved wooden pediment from a temple. Furniture, too, and its placement, make strategic complements that can help the harmony, as in the use of an antique Ming armchair below and at right. Whiteness, naturally, signifies purity and this, in turn, introduces a philosophical element. In essence, a well-designed white-themed bedroom is a blend of modern style, philosophy and harmony.

A simple minimalist bedroom in a small Hong Kong studio. The translucent white blind and concealed lighting create a calming atmosphere.

An all-white bedroom with silver-on-white floral wallpaper. The contemporary white-lacquered bed is inspired by a luoyang daybed.

The bed here is dressed in white linen that merges with the all-white decor. A sixteenth-century ming copper hand warmer and an eighteenth-century ming elm wood armchair provide Chinese accents.

Translucent white curtains can be drawn completely around this Beijing bedroom to simplify the space, but are here parted to reveal a triangular wooden temple pediment.

A purple throw provides a strong splash of color to this all-white Hong Kong bedroom, its inner wall composed of glass bricks. A simple glass vase with gerberas stands by the door.

In a tiny Hong Kong apartment, designer Johnny Li introduces red-fringed acetate lampshades for color contrast in a white-and-oatmeal styled bedroom.