Talk Shop: Chrissie Rucker // The White Company
ABOUT CHRISSIE
After studying couture fashion and design at school and working for prestigious magazines like Vogue, Brides, GQ, and House & Garden, Chrissie Rucker OBE started The White Company in 1994, when she couldn’t find well-designed, beautiful-quality white bed linens that were affordable (more on that later!) The first The White Company collection offered a small range of essentials for the home that included everything from high-quality bed linen, bedspreads, pillows and duvets to luxury towels, bathrobes, china, and table linen – all in simple, classic white.
Over the past 28 years (and awards including an MBE in 2010 and an OBE in 2018), the changes in Chrissie’s life have always been pivotal moments in the development of the business. The arrival of her first child prompted the creation of The Little White Company, a range of children’s and baby’s clothing, bedding, and toys. When Chrissie couldn’t find stylish, timeless clothes that took her from work to weekend and back again in beautiful fabrics and flattering cuts, she decided to make them.
A philanthropist and visionary, Chrissie’s passion for The White Company remains at the heart of the business, and she is committed to its growth in both the UK and internationally. Recently, she published her second book, The Art of Living with White, and we were so honored and excited to sit down with Chrissie and Talk Shop with her – she has so many lessons to take in. We hope you enjoy!
What is The Art of Living with White about, and how did you come up with the idea for your second book?
We were thrilled at the very generous support for our first book and encouraged to create a second. This time – we explore how some really wonderful creatives we admire love to use white in their homes.
How is your latest book different from your first, For the Love of White?
Each home is very different and showcases a different approach to decorating and styling. We shot and wrote the book over a year – in and out of lockdown throughout the different seasons spring, summer, autumn and winter – so that we could then feature some great ‘seasonal styling and rituals’ too
Book two also includes special sections on:
- How to find ‘your own white & neutral style’.
- How to create ‘a new working from home space’.
- Ideas for how to ‘entertain each season’
- How to use scent and texture throughout the seasons.
The first book, For The Love of White, was launched to celebrate our 25th anniversary. It felt like the perfect opportunity to share some of our favorite white homes including my own and those of other designers, architects, and creative thinkers whom we admire and who have used white in their own unique way.
What is your top tip for people when decorating with white and neutral colors?
There are so many ways to decorate with white: It always makes a brilliant canvas – on which to layer our own individuality – with art, hard finishes, color, texture and of course the many different styles of furniture.
Opt for natural materials and finishes, which creates texture and character–from timber, stone and sisal floors to touches of greenery bringing in hints of the outside world and if possible it’s always wonderful to have a fire.
Describe your style in three words or less:
Simple, understated and timeless.
What have been the three biggest influences on your aesthetic in your life:
During my time at Conde Nast and Hearst, I learned how to plan and organize a shoot and plan copy – this taught me how to create a consistent handwriting and probably the most important thing I learnt was that often simple and a little more pared down was a look I really loved - and was actually also much easier to achieve!
And recognising the simplicity of white and that whoever we are, whatever our own personal style is, white does just always work in some way.
As The White Company has evolved and as we have moved house, I have been lucky enough to work with some incredible designers and stylists. What I have learned is that there are many simple decorating and styling tricks that make such a difference to how a white home can look and feel.
How did you start your company, and/or what is your favorite thing about what you do:
When I started TWC 28 years ago, it was because, having offered to help, I couldn’t find the basics that I wanted for Nick’s (boyfriend at the time– now husband, Nick Wheeler, founder of Charles Tyrwhitt) then home. On this journey I also discovered that creating a first home was really not as easy as I thought! It’s overwhelming – so how do we find a look and feel that’s right for us. How do we buy pieces that will stand the test of time? It’s expensive so they are important decisions.
Twenty-eight years on and I am lucky enough to have an amazing team, and building this over the years has been crucial. When the business was six years old, I recruited my first Managing Director, because I knew I wasn’t the right person to do the day-to-day running. I’m very aware of where I can add real value and where I can't. My passion and strength are in product development and customer experience.
I really can’t emphasize enough how much love and passion goes into every item we produce.
Do you have a mentor in your career, and if so, how have they helped to shape your trajectory:
My former boss, Tina Gaudoin, when I first went to the magazine, Harpers & Queen. She is incredibly passionate, a brilliant writer and ideas person, great fun and always said thank you. She taught me to be brave and have a go and to push myself outside of my comfort zone. I loved working for her.
And I started TWC because I was so inspired by Nick, watching his passion and energy as he got up every day and went to work in a tiny basement and began to grow his company, Charles Tyrwhitt. He made me want to feel like that too.
What does your home say about you:
As much as I love traveling I am a real home bird. I love a home to feel warm, inviting, personal and lived in.
Creating a home we love is one of the most important things we can do. It’s the place we escape to at the end of a hectic day, so we should feel calm, organized, and peaceful.
It’s also a place to create memories in. Fill it with family and friends, have long lunches, play games and turn up the music and have great parties. The most important thing is to make memories and enjoy using it.
Where do you find inspiration:
I am constantly inspired by life and different cultures and places. I am always looking for new ideas wherever I go. It’s not work, it’s just part of my make-up – I love new places, and love seeing how they are decorated or what people are wearing. I am always open to new ideas.
Who are your style icons:
Coco Chanel for her perfect elegance, that never dates.
What are your key ingredients for entertaining:
Always try to make the house feel really welcoming, warm and upbeat. Lots of scented candles, simple flowers and good music are a great start. For drinks, I love to use fun glasses which make even the simplest sparkling water or gin and tonic look good.
If you have a good table, show it off, if not, use a white linen cloth to cover it. I start by creating a central focus and run several holders of simple flowers and candles down the middle of the table (always low so they are easy to talk over). I keep the flowers really simple and often mix in herbs (rosemary or mint), or use greenery, like eucalyptus. Sometimes, I use just greenery and, sometimes, I mix in one white stem, such as a peony, ranunculus, or white rose. I don’t like flowers to look arranged; I love them to feel loose and natural, it’s simple but looks great. I often use different heights of candle (a combination of scented and unscented) and add in plenty of tea-light candles in glass holders which make it feel relaxed and magical. Each place setting will have cutlery and glasses for every course and a good-looking white napkin. For a special occasion, I’ll add in a sprig of rosemary and a tied-on named place card.
A selection of choices rather than plated food is a great way to manage the inevitable variety of dietary requirements! A beautiful table to sit at is essential - lots of candles, simple greenery or flowers and napkins are quick - and make it a place you want to linger for longer at and enjoy.
Do you collect anything:
I’ve recently been trying to learn more about art and started collecting black and white pieces. Rose Uniacke introduced me to Jaime Frankfurt, who has been amazing at helping me to buy a few pieces for specific spaces. Some of my favorite artists include Lee Ufan, Louise Nevelson and Cy Twombly. I also love to collect Hugo Guinness; the pieces have a lovely humor and just make you smile. Rose Uniacke and Hilary Batstone, are real favorites for antique pieces and light fittings.
What design “rule” do you always follow, and which is made to be broken:
For me all great home design projects have a strong core essence that fluidly connects spaces and objects.
What are you working on right now:
Development for Autumn 2023 across all our collections.
Wardrobe staples:
My style mantra is always keep it simple and understated but cut well to flatter in beautiful fabrications and textures with a palette of white, ivory and grays with black as a foundation.
With my wardrobe I love a modern look without being too cutting edge. I stick to shapes that I know work for me and look for pieces that are going to last and hang well to flatter my shape. I love white shirts, easy knitwear that fits in the right places, black trousers or denim jeans. I use texture instead of pattern.
Favorite fabric/wallcovering:
My favorite paint is Slate 1 from paint & Paper Library – I have used it throughout our London home on walls, doors, cornices, ceilings and window frames.
Best interior advice you ever received:
Paint the house one color and live with it for a bit slowly updating it with art and accessories. Work on your furniture layouts, and also the positioning of all lighting.
Best career advice you ever received:
There are two! Ask yourself ‘when I look back in five or ten years, what do I want to have achieved?’ Write it down. It will not be realistic to achieve it all. So choose the 5 most important things each year - do them fully, enjoy them and know this is a success! It’s always better to do five things well, than 20 things half-heartedly.
Actively seek out mentors as you go through life, these will change over time – but having at least two people whose advice you really trust and value is invaluable.
Favorite places to shop for home:
1. Rose Uniacke near Sloane Square, it’s always full of the most beautiful antiques and upholstery fabrics.
2. Egg in Belgravia, owned by Maureen Doherty, for special pieces of jewelry and ceramics.
3. Anya Hindmarch, in Pont Street – I love her bespoke gift shop where you can have a personal message embossed on a beautiful jewelry box or bag.
4. For a department store, Selfridges - for their personal shopping service and that they offer the best of the high street to international designer brands.
5. www.wsjgallery.com – Roseanna Wilson Stevens shop for lovely Hugo Guinness prints and great old frames, plus some lovely ceramic and decorative pieces.
6. In NYC hopping many haunts including the wonderful ABC Carpet & Home, which has a particularly good kitchen department and jewelry.
Most prized possession and why:
Three pieces of jewelry with huge sentimental value: My engagement ring which has a stone borrowed from my paternal grandmother's engagement ring. My maternal grandmother's “13” ring, we both share 13 as our lucky number and a small glass and silver pendent Nick gave me from Loquet London. Inside it has 4 tiny initials for him and our four children.
Your interiors motto:
Whoever we are, wherever we live, there’s always a place in everyone’s life for white.
Your life motto:
Find something that you love, give it everything, give it your all.
It's crucial to be someone who makes things happen and there’s always a way to make things happen.
Advice for someone looking to define their own interior style:
Everything we buy for our homes will be with us for many years, so I’m a great believer in buying well. Investing in good quality and carefully chosen pieces that we really love pays off in the long term. They will last for longer and bring real pleasure every time they are used.
Take Ten: My Favorite…
Food: Lots of fish and healthy salads or vegetables. When traveling I love just taking in the local food - generally opting for simple, local and fresh.
Drink: For a special G&T, I love Chase Gin, Pink Pomelo, or Elderflower – both are amazing with Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic, sliced fresh lime, lemon, and mint leaves. Or an Elderflower Hugo. A dash of elderflower cordial and sparkling water topped up with prosecco, a slice of orange, and a sprig of rosemary - it’s an extra-special spritzer!
Film: When the children come home we love to cozy up and watch timeless, fun films like Love Actually, The Holiday and The Devil Wears Prada which always make us smile.
Hotel: The One&Only in the Wolgon Valley, Australia, was incredible. The beds and the linen were heaven. They also had a very impressive pillow menu with five different options to choose from! (When I am traveling for work, I often pack my own pillow from home.)
City: London is my favorite city of all because it’s home and I love how it has so much beautiful architecture, yet it isn’t too big – I sometimes think it would have been great to have lived in New York when I was younger because I would love to know it much better.
Bedding: All my bed linens and in fact home accessories and candles come from The White Company. I think nothing beats sleeping in a blissfully comfortable bed with crisp, smooth cotton sheets.
Tea or Coffee (and how do you take it): I grab a Pret a Manger decaf skinny cappuccino on the way into work then I try to keep to hot water with a slice of lemon and ginger for the rest of the day.
Playlist: Cold Play and Take That who are both amazing live in concert.
Weekend Activity: Horses - our three girls all ride and compete, so I spend a lot of weekends up early in the horsebox! I rode competitively as a child, and it taught me so much about resilience.
Design Book: “For the Love of White” our first book was launched to celebrate 25 years of The White Company and beautiful homes such as those featured within have always been the inspiration and starting point for new collections. It also featured my homes– making it really personal.