Get The Look: White on White in 1/12th Scale for the Dolls House

The white on white style initially became popular due to the upsurge in minimalist design, with its stark white walls, coloured accessories and finishing touches. In opposition to this quite clinical style, some designers looked for ways to soften the ultra-crisp finishes with fur throws and country cottage furniture. They wanted to add warmth to the formerley minimalist spaces, while at the same time retaining a chic finish. White on white was the answer. Using white as the predominant or only colour meant that any furniture style or finish could be incorporated into a room and not look out of place.

Deciding on colours for this look is a bit like choosing a wedding dress! Except rather than having to decide if you'd like to go with ivory, off-white, cream or white, you can use them all to create depth and add variety to your room or scheme. Don't worry that it will be limiting to only use white, it just means you have to be a little more imaginative with the shades you choose. Whites come in butttery yellow tones, shades with grey hints, neutral shades and ones with cool overtones.

To put the 'interesting' into pale and interesting, hues of white are mixed with as many textures as possible. White paint for walls can be substituted with rustic handmade paper, embossed card or textured fabric for wallpaper. Floors can be produced using gloss vinyl sheets, painted floorboards, or felt. For creating texture on a ceiling, adding plaster mouldings or white painted wooden ones is ideal. The mouldings will create shadows when lit to give the impression of light and dark tones.

Miniature lighting can also create the look. Make use of a plain white shade, or use clear white glass or white fixtures for your lighting. The beauty of this style is that it can be used to create a myriad of 1/12th scale interiors and it can be used in any room. Since colour is the only criteria for this look, you can use any style of furnishings from shabby chic, historical, ultra modern or a mixture of these. Combine white wire and glass with wooden pieces, use paint effects and fabrics to create texture. Thick high gloss, distressing, cracke glaze and sponging layers of different shades of white paint work. To this add soft furnishings in an array of fabrics and finishes, including canvas, wood, faux fur, satin, velvet and broiderie anglais.

Winter White L Shaped couch by Gigi N Studio www.etsy.com/shop/giginstudio

     12 piece kitchen Set from Little House at the Priory & White Wire Chest from Minimum World

www.littlehouseattheprior.co.uk & www.minimumworld.com

White Kitchen Units from JBM Miiniatures www.jbmminiatures.com

Table & chair set with antiqued finish from Bentley House Productions www.etzy.com/shop/BentlyHouseProducts

    Peter Tucker's Reitveld-Stetlman Chair & Shabby Chic cleaning cupboard from KT Miniatures

www.roomboxes.com & www.ktminiatures.com

Above are just some of the beautiful white miniatures available today on the market. The web addresses will need to be copied and pasted into your internet browser.

How to Customise:

• Mix a tiny amount of paint in the colour of your choice with a base of white to get new shades to add to your scheme.
• Add highlights to the details, door knobs and decoration on plain white furniture.
• Pearlescent nail polish is ideal and already comes with its own brush!
• Drape throws and curtains to add extra depth to the fabric.
• Glue or stitch folds in place, and weigh with small curtain weights.
• Give furniture a paint effect to create texture.
• Rag roll, spong, wood grain, crackle glaze and distressing are all fun effects to try.
• Make textured wall art or panelling by wrapping fabric around a wooden frame or cardboard sheet.
• Make miniature sections of knittted, crochet, or quilted fabric.
• Use craft leather with buttoning to create texture.

This feature was originally published in Dolls House and Miniature Scene magazine. If you like making miniatures, why not buy yourself a copy of the magazine. Or better still take out a subscription so you never miss an issue. For fans of Facebook and Twitter, or to email, print or comment on the feature, please use the buttons above to share with your friends.

For materials and suppliers, please take a look at the marketplace section of this website.