The trick is staying tonal and warm. Choose whites with a soft, creamy undertone rather than cool blue-whites, and let your materials — wood, linen, stone, rattan — supply much of the colour and depth. When you add accents, keep them earthy and muted: sage and olive greens, terracotta and clay, soft black or charcoal. These nature-drawn tones add interest while keeping the room restful and cohesive.