Classic room designs are often done in neutral colour palettes. This is because, chosen well, neutrals are formal, relaxing to live with, tend to work on some level with most accent colours, and, generally being light in hue, comply with the myth that light colours...
Many clients prefer white over all other options. We are fine with that but we do prefer that the finished design show with a creative flair, rather that just being white. It seems today in modern decorating shows that all you see is the same white Shaker kitchen...