Q: I love everything about white. I'm not even sure if it's a colour. My partner is afraid that doing an all white room will be too clinical. Have you any suggestions that will help me win my case?

A: Technically, white is not a colour but a tint. It is considered a safe decorating choice, which is why builders default to white when painting new homes.

However, choosing to decorate a room exclusively with white is an adventure, and one well worth pursuing. There are hundreds of shades of white; you might want to check out the rows of paint chips at the paint store, as well as all the designer whites. The harshest, most clinical shade is white with a bit of blue in it, (think refrigerator white). Avoid that one.

The way you experience any colour (including white) has to do with the texture and sheen of the surface, and the lighting in the room. A high sheen reflects light and accentuates whatever it covers. A matte or low sheen absorbs the light, softening the surface whether it's paint or fabric, metal or wood.

Play with different shades. Creamy antique white is good with antiques, old wood and a traditional or country setting. A few drops of your favourite colour -- primrose yellow, cornflower blue, apple green -- added to a gallon of paint will produce a tinted white that is fresh and gentle on a wall. White with a little grey added is a contemporary shade perfect for modern living.

Add texture to your room through patterned sheers, embossed wallpaper, and a nubby carpet. Mixed with clean-lined furnishings, and perhaps a spontaneous splash or two of your partner's favourite colour, and your room will be stunning.

Q: The walls in my living room are about 12 feet high at the peak of the vaulted ceiling. It seems like too much wall. Do you have any suggestions on decorating them?

A: Few solutions exist for minimizing the feeling of height in your room. You could add crown moulding at approximately eight feet or where the wall meets the slanted ceiling. Paint one colour on the walls and another above the moulding for the ceiling.

Or hang mirrors or artwork that will become the focal point instead of the height. This could be one or two large pieces or a row of medium-sized pictures. The idea is to stop the eye from travelling from floor to ceiling peak without a break.

Q: If baseboards and trim are dark, is white crown moulding suitable?

A: Crown moulding can, and often is treated separately, and does not necessarily match up with existing trim and baseboards.

Depending on the size and importance of the moulding, you can paint it the same colour as your ceiling or show it off by applying a faux finish or a darker shade than on the wall. You might want to experiment on a few feet of the moulding to see what you like. You can always paint over it.

This column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. E-mail questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.