This classic color is the unsung hero of Jamie Lee Curtis' entryway – I was so bored of seeing it until her space changed my mind

If, at the start of 2025, you were to ask me what color I was bored of seeing in an entryway, I would've had a quick response: White. While I never thought there was anything particularly wrong about this shade of paint, I rarely looked at a white space and felt totally inspired. Then I discovered Jamie Lee Curtis' entryway, and she reminded me of its power.

In her Spanish Colonial Revival mansion in Santa Monica, Jamie has decorated with white in the most timeless way possible. This classic neutral complements her home's architectural assets – from the curved arches to the dark wooden staircase and ornate iron railing that perfects the Southern European aesthetic.

Without the white painted walls, this space would feel completely different. It would lack the traditional, Spanish-style ambiance that makes the home so unique. It's the perfect base color for such an entryway, and it's the pefect reminder of how versatile the hue is, and why it's an eternal classic.

Shop the white Spanish Colonial-style look

Examining Jamie's entryway color, it's easy to understand why designers repeatedly return to this hue. Among them is Eunice Weckesse, the principal and founder of Crown The Cool Studios, who says that white has an 'old-world charm' that's particularly beautiful in a Spanish Revival home like Jamie's.

'White is foundational. It’s not just a lack of color, it's a backdrop for storytelling. In a Spanish Revival home, where you'll often find rich wood tones, intricate ironwork, and textured stucco, a white entryway,' Eunice says.

Plus, alongside its aesthetic, this hue has practical, cooling qualities, making it a particularly beneficial choice for homes in a hot climate.

'It balances the ornate with simplicity, highlights architectural features like arches, niches, and tilework, and evokes a sense of calm before the sensory richness of the rest of the home. In Spanish Revival homes where courtyards and sun-drenched rooms are common, white enhances that Mediterranean airiness. Historically, whitewashed walls in Mediterranean climates were practical (cooling, reflective), but they also became symbolic of purity, tradition, and warmth,' Eunice explains.

'A white entryway in this context: Echoes old-world charm, honors natural materials like terra cotta and wood, keeps the home rooted in sun-soaked authenticity.'

Jamie's entryway has reminded me of the true power of this hue. It's grounding, classic, and never vanilla.