White Rules

White is the quintessential color of coastal décor: the soothing egalitarian style found everywhere from shabby chic cottages to Euro-cool condos. White rooms are soft, pure and tranquil, and local stores have an exquisite array of new bright, white pieces this fall. Remember that white looks best when it’s layered with tones from alabaster to cream, and textures from milk glass to sheer batiste curtains. Below: Home Resource just snared the acclaimed designer Kenneth Cobonpue’s line of light-as-air woven furniture that uses centuries-old techniques of his native Philippines. The Matilda collection is woven on a steel base of rattan for indoor use and polyethylene for outdoors. Brad Pitt bought one of Cobonpue’s dramatic beds, and you’ve seen the line in Oceans 13. Home Resource, 741 Central Ave., Sarasota (941) 366-6690.

Sun Worshipper? Join the designers and architects who adore Le Soleil, a suspension lamp by Foscarini, with a luminous white sphere that reflects a soft, intriguing glow ($1,449). Light Up Your Life, 1620 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 330-0442.

Renaissance Redux Vietri’s artisans in Muntelupo, the Tuscan village renowned for ceramics since the 13th century, craft each piece of Bellezza white dinnerware by hand (dinner plate, $39). Ashley Avery’s Collectables, 3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941) 366-3444.

Shabby Plush The backbone of shabby chic rooms is plush slip-covered seating. It’s slouchy, comfy, washable, and the perfect complement to crusty white flea market finds (styles from $995). Posh on Palm, 33 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota (941) 954-7674.

Seat of Power Inspired by taboret stools dating back to the court of Louis XIV in Versailles, this contemporary iteration is updated with modern silhouette and lacquer finish ($395). Black Bird Home Gallery, 1540 Main St., Sarasota (941) 366-0941.

Conversation Piece This sleek, open sectional ($4,999) is conducive to entertaining, even in small spaces. Its cool white leather and adjustable headrests are creating quite the buzz at The Sarasota Collection Home Store, 622 Central Ave., Sarasota (941) 955-8313.

Time Traveler Crisp white steamer trunk-cum-accent table ($1,575) conjures images of a romantic transatlantic voyage, replete with buckles, cross-stitching and updated faux crocodile texture. Current, 83 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota (941) 365-5323.

Grand Entrance With lacquered white grass cloth finish, silver nail heads and ring pulls, this entry hall console ($995) is a showstopper in the front window at Seaside Chic and the store’s best seller. Seaside Chic, 217 W. Venice Ave., Venice (941) 483-1177. 

White on White Mr. Brown, the hot new spinoff from London’s Julian Chichester, layers white in texture and design period with Greek-inspired chairs and console adapted from an Italian classic ($1,895). Coquillage, 1515 Main St., Sarasota (941) 487-7160.