Janet Butler
In an inspired approach to incorporate “the sum of all colors,” this house in Almuñecar, Granada, Spain, is named “Pure White” by its designer, Susanna Cots. It’s a house atop a cliff, bathed in natural light that reflects off pure white walls and furnishings in a fresh, airy atmosphere. It’s a large house, designed for indoors and outdoors to blend seamlessly in living room, dining room, and kitchen. The light, bright feel of the interior is enhanced by a minimalist approach, with handy shelving lining a walkway to the second floor, pure white fixtures that blend right in to the décor, and a fireplace tucked into a high white wall. But the home is far from unrelieved white; there’s no “laboratory” feel here.
Touches of warm sand tones grace pillows on the snow-white couch, a cuddly sandy-gray afghan invites snuggling, and soothing wood grain panels and flooring warm the home with just the right touch of nature. Nature is, in fact, largely a decorative star here, as you can tell by the expansive windows that allow for magnificent views from almost every corner of the home. Yes, there is some color here: vivid pinks and purples dress up the kids’ rooms, and accessories in the guest quarters bear rainbows of turquoise, fuchsia, and lilac. But the statement that white makes is clean, uncluttered, and more than a little brave, as Cots concludes: “Because white does not scare us… nor we are afraid of staining it… Because we believe that the authenticity of white resides in its purity and brightness. Because this is the white we love.”
