The summer white house

1. Quilted and zebra jacquard terry pillows, $95 each, and 2. a lush linen-cotton-wool blanket, $995, are from Ralph Lauren in Beverly Hills, (310) 281-7200. 3. A silver-plate and crystal palm frond lamp, sold as a pair for $5,500, and silver seashells and starfish, $25 to $165, are from Dragonette Decorative Arts in Los Angeles, (310) 855-9091. 4. Pottery Barn’s slipcovered Lewis chair, $499, is available only through www.potterybarn.com. 5. The hand-carved vintage alabaster polar bear is $225 at Now/Again in Los Angeles, (323) 662-4338. 6. Fashion meets art in the high-concept publication Visionaire; Issue No. 42 contains 21 designer fragrances matched with corresponding visuals conveying a range of experiences, including “sadness,” “electricity” and, yes, “strange.” It’s $175 at the gift department of Barney’s New York in Beverly Hills, (310) 276-4400.

Decorators have embraced glossy white lacquer as a signature of Hollywood glamour. Now that the heat is on, it’s time to bring on the sensual and civil whites of summer: plush terry cloth comforters, tide-washed shell and coral pieces, and clever objects of desire in eggshell porcelain bisque or cool alabaster. Add a crisply tailored slipper chair, some icy crystal and silver-plated accessories to any corner, and you’ll achieve a beach house chic that is anything but shabby.