What is it about layers of crisp white linen, or a row of gleaming white china cups on a shelf, that is so universally appealing? Neutral but never boring, white has an innate purity that allows us to appreciate the clean lines of sleek designer furniture and the different textures and feel of fabrics as no other shade can.

But white is so much more than just a canvas for the beautiful objects and accessories we choose to fill our homes, it is in itself eternally satisfying. Paint companies now have whole colour charts devoted simply to different white, and the choice can be daunting. In The White Home, Caroline Clifton-Mogg shows you how to combine these many shades - from ivory and milk-white to oyster, chalk and ecru, to name but a few - to create a multi-layered effect that is full of contrast and variation in tone. There are fresh ideas for practical details, from embellishing curtains and dressing a bed to putting together clever table settings or lighting a hallway, with lots of hints and tips to help you enhance your home.

Cool, calm and clean or sharp and dynamic; restful or stimulating. The atmosphere you create is simply a case of carefully selecting your palette and then putting together a mix of objects and furnishings to create one glorious whole. The White Home takes you room by room through the house and shows you how to create the perfect sanctuary.