This month's tip is taken from At Home with White by Atlanta Bartlett, here she tells us about using white in the home. There's an unfounded belief that white interiors are not for "real" people. For many, white exists only in the realms of rarefied coffee-table books, the pages of glossy highbrow design magazines, and in the icy cool of art galleries.

As for the notion that white is bland, soulless, and clinical, think again. White bestows an unmatched crisp, clean, and airy feel to any interior, regardless of where you are in the world - or what size your home happens to be. Not only that, it is timeless and will never date like other colors. You will never hear design or fashion aficionados say that any shade is the "new white" because it is always à la mode.

Texture is imperative in a white interior. Without it, everything blends into one, as our eyes are unable to distinguish between one object and the next- think "white cat in a snowstorm."

Using a variety of white shades within a room and introducing color accents can contribute to breaking up the flatness of white on white (more on this later) but it is texture that adds depth, dimension, and above all, definition. Light bouncing off a surface, be it a glossy white floor, a diaphanous white curtain, or a matt leather couch, creates a particular pattern of light and shade that we not only recognize as texture, but also as color. That is why fabrics in exactly the same shade of white - such as flat cotton, satin damask, and fluffy terrycloth - can appear to be different colors.

The kind of textures that you choose will influence both the mood and the appearance of a room. Smooth, reflective objects and surfaces do double duty by boosting light and making spaces seem larger and airier. Porcelain cups and plates displayed on a rustic, country-style hutch are both a focal point and useful light reflectors, while a stainless-steel range brightens and updates a painted Shaker kitchen. Smooth surfaces are also a pleasure to touch. A limestone floor caresses bare feet; sandblasted glass feels almost velvety; and a soapstone bowl is a delight to handle.

You might not be consciously drawn to rough materials, but used in conjunction with other textures they serve a practical and aesthetic purpose within a home. Just think of seagrass or coir matting, which feels rough underfoot, is incredibly hardwearing, and makes a stark room feel instantly homey and welcoming. Similarly, pumice stone, sisal, and loofah not only bring a pleasing natural element into a crisp, clean bathroom, but also look divine when combined with the smoothness of wooden bowls and silky soaps.

You might not immediately think of a flat finish as being an important texture in a room, but when placed against glossy surfaces or objects, it plays a vital role. Matt marble floor tiles are the ideal contrast to polished-plaster walls. A high-shine injection-molded chair put next to a suede couch or a glossy wooden chair upholstered in felt will enhance both the shine and the flatness of the materials. Glass is also a marvelous textural device when employed to bring light into a dark corner or shadowy room.

If you ever had any doubts that white is the color for you, we hope that At Home with White will change your mind. And for even more why not look at our March Author interview where we talk to Atlanta more about her new book?