White is my favorite color. It is timeless and classic IF you know how to work with it.
It’s okay if you’re not into white as a fantastic paint color for your interiors. However, I’m hoping by the end of this post about the best shades of white paint, you will see this versatile color in an entirely new light.
Therefore, please enjoy my 20 Best Shades of White Paint list.
Beautiful mantel by Gil Schafer
Okay, it’s time to dive into this important topic of the best shades of white paint.
Over the years, if I had to state, the NUMBER ONE ISSUE that people face when decorating their homes is:
What damned color will I paint the walls, ceiling, trim, etc.?
And, then, we go to the paint store and find that there are at least 150 colors that they are calling white. And that’s just from Benjamin Moore.
Confused much?
Of course, you are!!!
And, sorry to say, it would appear that it’s just how they like it. I dare say that Benjamin Moore’s bottom-line might be hurting if we didn’t make 50 trips to the paint store to get those test quarts of paint!
Oh, you think it’s just YOU that’s the “crazy paint lady (or guy)?”
Not by a long shot.
If it makes you feel any better, some 23 years ago, when I first chose paints for myself (for my old home), I, too, was a frothing at the mouth, wild-eyed-wacko making her 16th trip to the paint store, so I could then ponder another three or four shades of the best white paint colors. I’m sure I’ve written my next point before. However, I think it bears repeating.
White paint is very much like a husband.
Most of us only need only one husband. ;] You search and search until you find just the right one. You marry him and then live happily ever after until he begins to crack, peel, and chip off the wall. ;]
After earnest attempts at spackling without success, you get rid of that one, find a different husband, and are happy with that one too…
Well, white paint is precisely like that!
In other words, in most cases, you would be just as happy with a different white paint color.
Therefore, please (try to) relax a little. :]
I am happy to share this information because I know it’s so difficult to know which shades of white are the best shades of white paint.
Here are the common issues concerning white paint that I’ve found or heard over the years
- One issue is that some so-called white paint colors are NOT actually white. Ever go to the store and ask the guy for a gallon of white paint, and then you get it home, and it looks horrible?Once it’s up, you realize it’s not white, it’s actually– pink, peach, greige, yellow, green, blue, gray, violet, or BLINDINGLY WHITE? This may not be easy to see on the chip, but here’s a trick I learned from my wonderful colleague, fellow paint guru, and friend Maria Killam.
Maria says that if you compare any white color to Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace oc-65, you will easily be able to see if it has any undesirable undertone. I’ve not tried this, but I do not doubt she’s right about that.
And, here they are on Instagram.
I love the work of this young firm and featured them in this post about another misunderstood color. – beige
Two more issues I hear regarding the best shade of white paint
- The shade of white is too bright, dirty, warm, or cool. We are going to go over this.
- The shade of white is warm alright; it has a distinct yellow undertone.
- White is boring. Well, I don’t think so; and I believe there’s nothing more beautiful than white on white. (remember this exquisite home?) I also wrote this post that discusses why some don’t understand white paint.
Before getting into the list, we should go over a little color theory.
Some already know these principles, but some of you don’t.
We see different colors because an object absorbs some colors (wavelengths of light) and then reflects or transmits other wavelengths seen as colors back to our eyes through our brains. Different wavelengths of light create different colors.
The light reflecting on an object will affect the color we see.
This is why a color might look different at 10:00 AM than at 4:00 PM.
Or, two adjacent walls might read like two completely different colors.
In addition, there’s something called the light reflective value.
The lighter the color, the more it is affected by the light hitting it, and the brighter it projects back to our eyes.
And, there’s more. The perception of any color is influenced by the colors surrounding it. For instance, opposite colors on the color wheel enhance each other. If you put red and green together, the red will look REDDER and the green GREENER. If you have a gray with a tiny touch of green in it next to red, it will begin to look decidedly green.
Okay. Now, close your eyes for a sec, scroll down and then open your eyes.
Does desert twilight look greener? A little, I think.
Of course, the above information is a very simplistic explanation of a complex subject.
An even more simple explanation is:
It’s all a big bloody crapshoot!
This is why–
NO MATTER WHAT I OR ANYONE ELSE SAYS, YOU MUST TEST YOUR COLORS IN YOUR HOME AND YOUR UNIQUE LIGHTING SITUATION.
Whatever you choose, I strongly recommend that you test your white paint on all four walls and look at it at different times of the day and at night. A movable sample on poster board or a small piece of sheetrock (which is sold at most paint stores) is the way to go. (be sure to tape the board flat against the wall!)
You can also try using the wonderful Samplize.
For more tips on getting your color right the first time, please fill out the form at the top of every blog post where it says, “Freaking out about your paint colors?” And I’ll send you a free guide!
(please do not confuse the freebie guide with the 500-page, two-part Laurel Home Paint and Palette Collection)
However, if you would like more definitive answers about paint colors and the white paint colors that will go with them, please look into getting the Laurel Home Paint, Palette, and Furniture Guide. You can read more about it here.
And now, we are ready to examine my 20 favorite shades of white paint.
And some that I’m not as much a fan of.
(My largely sucky-white list. But in some cases, there are exceptions.)
You might want to take this time to go and grab a sandwich and/or take a potty break and then please come right back. :]
Please note. Many of these colors, I don’t know what they actually are.
I am sticking primarily to the best Benjamin Moore white paint colors because where I live, most contractors prefer it, and it is readily available.
However, a few are from Farrow and Ball and Pratt and Lambert. Both are fantastic paint brands.
These are rooms by designers known for using the best shades of white.
From the Bronxville kitchen, we did a few years ago. This cabinet is Benjamin Moore White Dove oc-17.
Benjamin Moore- WHITE DOVE oc-17
You can never go wrong with the dove. It is a soft, warm white with a teensy touch of a subtle gray undertone. We also did the bathroom cabinetry that I designed in Benjamin Moore’s White Dove.
Above is white dove from Lotte Meister’s home. Photo by me. There’s a lot of white dove in her home. To see more of Lotte’s gorgeous home, click here.
>
A Sunroom we did in 2010! The walls are Benjamin Moore linen white, and the ceiling is Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue. For more great sunroom ideas, please check out this recent post.
And, for other beautiful ceiling colors, this is the post for that.
Benjamin Moore – LINEN WHITE. I prefer it in brighter rooms. It is a classic cream and looks very lovely paired with white dove for the trim, such as crown moulding, baseboards, chair rails and wainscoting. An alternative to this color is:
Benjamin Moore – LILY OF THE VALLEY905. This is a lot like linen white, but just a hair brighter. I did it once in a family room full of gorgeous built-ins. I don’t have a photo, however. But, it is close to Ivory white, which is the color above.
Making it Lovely is a terrific blog filled with info about paint colors and sources.
Benjamin Moore WHITE BLUSH 904. (see above) The color looks ever so slightly pink on the chip (and the name also implies pink), but when it goes up, it’s very lovely, soft, and creamy. It does not look pink in most situations. This is a wonderful white with taupes, warm grays, and the challenging “pinky-beige.” It does not look good with a clear or bright yellow, however.
Benjamin Moore IVORY WHITE – 925. This is the home I helped the loveliest long-distance client in 2016. It was one of the last jobs I did. Please note that Ivory white is the same color as
ACADIA WHITE – ac-41. For more of this lovely home in Kentucky, please click here.
Benjamin Moore CLOUD WHITE – 967 This is another very pretty white with just a whisper of cream. It is quite close to White Dove, but perhaps a hair whiter.
Benjamin Moore COTTON BALLS 2145-70 or oc-122 – This is from their “newer” fan deck. You can see more of this cool vintage apartment here.
Too funny. I just realized that this is the former home of the parents of the long-distance client who used Ivory White in her home.
Cotton Balls is a soft, warm, lovely, lovely white. Really beautiful for walls or trim with any other color.
Benjamin Moore SIMPLY WHITE – 2143-70 The name says it all. However, it is another white paint color decorators love for its warmth. It’s very close to Cotton Balls, and a touch whiter than White Dove.
HOT TIP: I find that these two whites are the most versatile, in that they look good with both cool colors as well as those more difficult shades of yellow.
Occasionally, I hear someone wanting to paint their walls a “pure white.” Well, there’s no such thing when it comes to paint. However, the closest in Benjamin Moore paint colors is Chantilly Lace – oc-65.
Above is one of the 40 mood boards I created with furniture sources, using the wall colors in the background for the Laurel Home Paint and Palette Collection.
Above is a reduced screenshot of one of the pages associated with this color from the palette collection.
Loi Thai
BM DECORATOR’S WHITE – an enduring classic white that’s on the cooler side of the spectrum of whites. Please be careful about using it in a darker room, and especially on the ceiling. It is better for brighter rooms, I think.
Remember this post where I featured his work?
Oh man, since that post, Gerald has had the outside of his home painted too! What shade of white is it, you want to know? I’m sorry, I wish I knew too. I adore everything he does.
EVERYONE DOES! And, here’s the thing.
Benjamin Moore DECORATORS WHITE mixed 50/50 with LINEN WHITE — This one is a little secret that’s no longer a secret. Although I’ve never actually tried it, but it makes so much sense. Dec has slightly blue-green undertones and linen, slightly gold… and together, makes for a sublime creamy white.
Benjamin Moore – WINTER SNOW – oc-63, a vignette from Nancy Keye’s living room
This is also known as a Darryl Carter color – SOMERSET WHITE dc-05.
And, here it is again, in Nancy Keye’s Living Room.
Benjamin Moore MOONLIGHT WHITE 2143-70 – This is another of the Darryl Carter colors for Benjamin Moore, which, just to confuse us into thinking is a different color, is also called Huntington White DC-02.
If you are interested in a great post on “cracking the Darryl Carter code,” with the actual names and numbers, you can find that here on My Knotting Hill Blog. And yes, I know that the image is too small to read. You’ll need to go check out Knotting’s blog. Sorry, she doesn’t publish her name.
However, they can call it whatever they think will sell the paint because whatever Darryl is selling… I’m buying.
That’s because Darryl Carter is a genius. The next two rooms are his, and I would be in heaven living in any of his spaces. For more, Darryl, click here.
above and below
Benjamin Moore PAPERWHITE. This is a white with a slight gray tint, and I had some bookcases painted this color in a room already painted a warm gray with a hint of violet. I had the inside of the cases painted orange. It looks amazing!
Below is another board from the Laurel Home Paint and Palette Collection.
To mix it up, I used Paper White on this board for the trim
Interestingly, another excellent shade of white paint that wasn’t in the original post is DISTANT GRAY. However, the gray is exceedingly distant. Paper White has a touch more gray in it.
Benjamin Moore SUPER WHITE is one of Studio McGee’s favorite shades of white paint, and mine as well. Super White is a clean, warm white that I used when repainting my old apartment in Bronxville, NY.
BM – WHITE. Who knew? Their plain white is good for trim with either clear or cool colors. It does not look so great with gold. For gold and khaki, I love one of the creamier whites like linen white or Mayonnaise. My apartment has BM white trim everywhere. Honestly, it looked terrific in the bathroom and good in the bedroom. (although the bedroom trim is white dove now.)
And, it is very beautiful in south-facing rooms.
Now, for a few faves from Farrow and Ball and Pratt and Lambert.
Farrow & Ball have been featured on this blog numerous times. To see some of those posts, click here.
Their colors are magnificent and complex. If you are interested in as close as I could find alternatives with Benjamin Moore, please check out this post.
Farrow & Ball POINTING 2003 – Pointing is a beautiful white with just the right amount of cream. (I know… there are a lot of these. Don’t knock yourself out. haha.)
Farrow & Ball ALL WHITE is a crisp, true white that looks wonderful in more contemporary settings.
Farrow & Ball’s WHITE TIE Another lovely cream color.
Pratt and Lambert is another favorite company. They have a far smaller collection of colors than Benjamin Moore, but most of them are winners.
Pratt and Lambert ANCESTRAL.
My old living room was painted this color; I lived with it for 12 years and never tired of it. It’s soft and warm. I discovered it because Victoria Hagan had painted her home in the Hamptons that color.
Pratt and Lambert SEED PEARL, a clean, warm white- Seed Pearl is a fave of many designers, and I know that Victoria also uses this color. She’s a huge fan of P and L. The bedroom above is another of her beautiful designs.
And finally, Pratt and Lambert SILVER LINING, which is not silver. It has a teensy, eensy, weensy bit of gray. It is very close, I think to white dove. It’s another great one, especially for trim.
So, are there any white paint colors I stay away from?
Well, yes; however, my sucky white paint color might be someone else’s perfect white paint color.
This is my shortlist of not-so-great white paint colors that probably sound less sucky than they are.
BM CHINA WHITE. Some designers love this color; however, I think it looks dirty. But, it’s a great white for home EXTERIORS!
I did see China White in a friend’s home a few summers ago.
It is a highly changeable color. Sometimes it looked slightly lavender and sometimes like the palest dirty gold.
ATRIUM WHITE. This shade of white is known for its pink undertones. That is fine if you want a white paint color that goes slightly pink. I think this color looks best in rooms brightly lit with natural light.
BONE WHITE. No. Dirt. Yuck. Stay away! I think they finally got rid of the even more putrid Spanish White. It was like the dog had peed on the wall. I’m not kidding. (However, it might be fine if you live in an adobe home in Arizona for the exterior)
ANTIQUE WHITE. Well, if you like peach, it’s okay, but if you don’t want peach, steer clear.
NAVAJO WHITE. Another one that some designers love, but I think looks just a tad too beigey-barf and neither here nor there. However, my former neighbor had terra-cotta/ burnt orangey kitchen walls (actually BM spiced pumpkin, which I had used before and like) and a sage-green living room and used Navajo for the trim, and it was beautiful. But her tile on the fireplace was beige.
One common mistake when choosing the best shades of white paint is painting a dark room bright BRIGHT white, thinking it will make the room look brighter.
It often looks gray and drab because the north-facing light is blue-gray. I don’t recommend white for most dark and north-facing rooms, but I would try one without the gray if you do. Instead, warm undertones usually work best. Here’s my favorite white for north-facing rooms.
If you paint the walls white, should you paint the trim a contrasting white?
That is a matter of preference. However, the trim should always be in a semi-gloss or satin paint. (I once went into a home where some idiot painted the walls in gloss and the trim in flat.) My preference is still for oil-based paint for the trim, but the latex paints are better than they used to be.
Benjamin Moore Advance is an excellent product. It’s a water-based alkyd and does a beautiful job mimicking oil, but it’s low VOC and not oil-based.
Always be sure to test your paints!
The best way I recommend is to use the Samplize self-sticking samples that come with two coats of the actual paint. For you, there’s no mess and the samples can be repositioned over and over without wrecking your walls. They carry both Benjamin Moore and Farrow & Ball. For more information or to order, please go here.
xo,
PS: Please check out the newly updated HOT SALES in home furnishings!
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74 Responses
I chose Atrium white for my guest bedroom. It is south facing and has both an east and a south window. I see no pink in it at all. It just looks warm and lovely, like it was lit from within. I chose Swiss coffee for my master which is next on our paint list. When we purchased our home it was chocolate brown, every wall and every room. It was awful but it’s such a cute home and was in great condition. We decided that paint was an easy fix but it has taken a coat of primer and two coats of paint so far for our living room, kitchen, dining and two bathrooms. The transformation is incredible though.
Hi Ellie,
Atrium is best in bright rooms like yours most likely is. But there are so many factors that can affect how a color reads in a space. But sometimes, Atrium can appear to have a pink tone. I love hearing about the transformation. It’s really true!
Thanks for your list, I love reviewing posts with the many variations of one color…grays, whites, etc. (Or “color”.) I may not be alone, and perhaps your main blog readers are true designers, but for me, Benjamin Moore isn’t really practical as a purchase. It’s very expensive (and I do have a lot of walls…put the money in the house:)) and we have one retailer in our area, which is about 20 miles away. Farrow and Ball and Pratt and Lambert…ditto. It would be so great for many if eventually you could do a list with Sherwin Williams (grays, whites, etc.) since that is more practical for most. You can buy it at Lowes and in my area, at least, there are several retailers b/c the professional painters mostly buy Sherwin Williams. There are several times per year when they do sales, and my painter gets a discount, so I rarely pay full price for SW. If you don’t want to color match, and I don’t, it would be great to see some SW recommendations. I suppose no one will ever do Behr, but it’s what many buy since it is the Home Depot choice and Behr actually has a couple really good whites…Weathered White (perfect for an indoor porch or more rustic environment…has a gray undertone) and Silky White (slight green undertone that is barely, if at all there, but looks great with Revere Pewter and similar colors. Yes…I once used a BM color, Revere Pewter, but color matched and realized it was slightly off. It was still very pretty, but after another color matching experience, I will never do it again.
Alas, we have the opposite situation in my neck of the woods. Benjamin Moore is plentiful and most of the contractors prefer working with it. And while I respect your opinion, it’s impossible to please everyone.
It’s true. There are other brands, but I made a decision to focus primarily on one company and I stand by my decision because it’s confusing enough as it is and I feel this makes life easier. And that’s worth something!
First of all, I adore your writing style and humor. Second, I’m head over hills for all shades and nuances of white, so the worst punishment would be choosing between one of them, so we’re on the same page about that. Thank you for this very useful and informative blog post, it was much-needed!
Thank you Katarina.
I am so glad you added Benjamin Moore’s Winter White; we recently used it in our bathroom remodel and I’m so glad we did. The redone bathroom has a gray and white basketweave mosaic floor, grayish calacatta quartzite countertop, plain white subway tile on the bathtub surround and board and batten paneling painted Yarmouth Blue on the bottom half of the walls . Initially the designer wanted to use White Dove on the upper half of the walls and on the vanity, but I thought it might look a little dirty against the pure white tile, so we picked Winter White out of the BM color book. I’m so happy we went with the Winter White; it reads pure white in my north-facing bathroom but it doesn’t look stark or cold. It also make the color of the Yarmouth Blue paneling look fabulous.
I know no paint is “pure” white but I haven’t been able to figure out the undertone of Winter White. I read somewhere it was lavender but I can’t really tell from looking at it.
I’m glad paint isn’t really like husbands, because as much as I love Winter White in my blue and gray bathroom, I wasn’t faithful to Winter White when we repainted the adjoining hallway and master bedroom. I’m not really a big fan of gray and the rest of my house is painted in warm whites and cream colors. For the hallway and bedroom we went with BM Ballet White on the walls and BM Simply White on the trim. (Winter White grayed out next to the beige Ballet White and beige carpet in my hall, whereas the Simply White has a glow to it).
I could go on and on about paint color but you get the picture. I really appreciate your blog; it’s giving me a lot of food for thought for the rest of my house, which is due for repainting.
Hi Joan,
Well, let’s just say that it counts as a husband if it’s a white paint going in the same room. And, thanks so much for your kind words!
This:
“Most likely, with practice, I’m a better writer, so hopefully, the post will have more clarity and better information.”
Hahahaha, Laurel, you are the best. Seriously! I’m addicted.
Maybe we’ll need to start a 12-step group? haha
This is such a great resource and one that I’ve referred back to many times. I am planning on painting a room all the same color – trim, walls, and ceiling. Should the wall and trim be the same sheen or different? I haven’t found any information on that.
I usually do the trim in semi-gloss and the walls in matte. But, if a darker color, you’ll need eggshell most likely.
please check out this post about paint sheens.
Thanks for the update! I went with Acadia for interior – exterior – trim – walls – ceilings-(even on porches – don’t find that the bugs are worse). Only exception was kitchen cabinets and trim- used chantilly lace there – the result exceeded my expectations. Probably went to paint store and re-read your original guide 600 times! My house is a very small 200 year old South Louisiana cottage- going all white has given it a more current and spacious feel without losing the charm- highly recommend! Thanks again for your efforts!!!
Oh, sorry I somehow missed your lovely comment Hilary! Thanks so much!
Hi Laurel! First time comment from long time reader and student of yours. Love your blog! I study each and every post. You have helped me define my tastes and update my home. The latest and biggest update has been updating the kitchen and adjacent living room which included new countertops (goodbye dark green granite) and new paint on cabinets, built-ins, doors, trim (goodbye bagel color). I purchased your paint guide, followed your recommendations regarding testing and ended up with Linen White. It needed to work with the tan/beige/cream tile that runs thru out my lower level along with lots of mahogany and various lighting situations. It’s been a perfect choice for my home! Thank you so much for your guidance, education and entertainment!!
Oh, I’m so glad Jody, and yes, linen white can be a great “bridge” white to brighten up too much tan-beige. If it’s pinky-beige, then usually White Blush 904 or oc-86 is a good choice.
Thanks for your advice to check out the corners before painting one wall in my living room a different shade from the other 3 walls. Since I’m definitely going to have the whole LR, foyer and stairwell painted I am not even using sample boards to test colors but painting stripes right on the walls so I can see all four walls throughout the day and night at the same time. I hope you are doing well health-wise. 🙂
Thanks so much Sherry. I am doing much better.
A really important thing to remember when using white and for any colour for that matter is to use the brand of paint the colour belongs to. The tints vary from brand to brand so asking the local DYI store to produce a colour but on a different brand is a recipe for disaster. Get it from the brand trade centre to ensure the base and tints are correct. When building our current home we specified a Resene colour however the painter had it mixed using a different more readily available brand Taubmens. Needless to say when I saw the first of the painting I freaked out, it was a very yellow white and not what I wanted. Expensive exercise for the painter as we made him replace all the paint with the specified colour. Thank you for another great post Laurel.
Hi Alison,
I see that you are in Australia, I believe. I’ve never heard of those paint brands. What you say, I believe, has a lot of merit. While it might be possible with a talented paint mixer, that is unlikely. Oh, they will say that the computer matching is perfect.
It’s not.
So, yes, I concur that it is always better to use the brand itself.
IF your painter says that he can’t get that brand and it’s available to you, then what is stopping you from buying your own damned paint? Just tell the painter that you will provide the paint and ask him how much to get. The reason he won’t work with brand B is almost always because he has an account with brand A and/or a better discount with brand A.
Had to laugh, your first white paint blog is how I found you! We were moving and needed to touch up the trim in our 4,000 square ft. Georgian. Due to the size and light in each room we had painted the trim in most rooms a different white and not kept a record. When we moved to our reproduction cape the ceilings needing touch up and I remembered that post and Cotton Balls! What would we do without you, Laurel! I reread all your blogs and come away with new info every time. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you Cynthia! You know that old post had well over 1,100,000 page views. So, it’s how a lot of people have found me. And that’s because I decided to write the most epic white paint post (at that time) to capture the attention of darling Google. And, it worked. And then, I had to show him that it wasn’t a fluke and that’s why he sends me gobs and gobs of traffic.
Oh dear… now I’m going on about the business of blogging. I actually quite love it!
Dear, dear Laurel! You know how much I LOVE white and this is a fabulous post! Not just because you showed our house, but I love that, too! Not sure if I ever told you that our last house had a few rooms that were White Dove. Loved that and the Decorators White that we have in the keeping room now. Thanks as always! XOXO
Well, you know that I love your home and your decorating!!! xoxo Your insta account is looking mighty spiffy these days too!
Hi Laurel, a timely post indeed, as I have some seriously OLD molasses coloured trim in a 1920 Arts and Crafts house, in a windowless central hall with walls AND ceiling painted what I think is Hawthorne yellow. OMG. Anyway, to comment on a couple of comments above and maybe offer another perspective. First, re Mayonnaise: all trim that was painted in the house before we bought it is Mayonnaise (including kitchen cabinets), and while I’m content for now to let the cabinets be (they were hand-painted, not lacquered, so can be changed eventually), after living with the other trim for several months, and knowing I have to attack the hall problem (uh, includes staircase too, which gives all the men in this town a heart attack, except my sainted better half), I’ve decided to switch to either Cotton Balls or Simply White – just trying to figure that one out now. I find the Mayonnaise is just a little too yellow, and does not give enough contrast against the wall colours I’ve chosen. That will mean redoing the existing trim, but I’m game. Comment two: Linen: a northwest facing room and a north facing room were done in Linen by the previous owner, and both are drab and gray. But in a southeast facing room, it’s pretty sweet – bright and warm. Thanks again for your great advice!
Hi Paula,
Yes, it’s true. Linen White is no bueno is a dark room. It does bring out the gray and some north facing rooms bring out the red and it goes really peachy. But, in a bright room, it’s very nice. It’s also a fabulous trim color with darker paint colors like browns, greens, reds, gold… Of course, always test!
I love the idea of comparing whites with Chantilly Lace. Makes me think of how I love looking at exterior paint colors when there is snow on the ground. You really can spot the undertones (Maria Killam).
Maria is terrific!
Hi Laurel,
Thanks for this update. I have been reading and re-reading your previous posts on whites and grays. I even went to campchroma.com and printed out Lori’s information on an increasing number of possible white/gray choices which was really fun but I’m getting more and more confused.
I finally chose Paper White for my den–a darkish room with 8 foot ceiling. It looks great! Pale soft gray and with no blue.
My big problem is the living room. It has windows east and west, has a 2 story high ceiling, is open to stairs going up and semi-open to the foyer and to the den. Also there’s a small 2nd floor level room with a balcony into the living room so all of that has to work together. I had decided on Gray Owl which looks great on 3 living room walls but on the 4th reads dark blue-green!
Paint is so weird and hard! I’m becoming a crazy paint lady for sure! I’m thinking about doing LR in Gray Owl except for the one weird wall in Paper White. The foyer and stairwell probably in Paper White also. Have you ever seen a room with two different colors that looks good? (this won’t be an “accent wall” just trying to eliminate that dark blue-green place.)
Thanks, Sherry
PS. Not asking for a specific color consult. I totally understand why you can’t do that. Just what do you think about 2 colors in one room?
Hi Sherry,
That’s actually a very good question. Here’s my take on that. IF the one wall looks good with the other walls in all lighting situation, then I see no reason why you can’t paint the one wall a different shade. If it looks weird, say at night or on a cloudy day or any other time of day, it might be time to rethink that.
To test it, make large sample boards and look at them in different lighting situations. I would also make sure that one of them is on perpendicular walls, right in the corner. The eyes tend to go to the corners and the corners are where the colors often are the strongest as they are reflecting each other.
I love this review of white. Thank you. I am looking at white more and more as a place to start in my retirement home. Once everything is neutralized, I will slowly add color as I live in the space.
Nevermind that I can’t afford a place in my dream location. I am meditating on some financial good luck.
I read your postings and always feel uplifted both from your humor and the design itself.
Your site has changed my taste for the better. I needed color in this cold midwest location, but I can see white, or mostly white, working in Northern California.
I do adore other colors though, so my choices will always evolve.
Have fun in Vegas. I am sure you will come back with exciting ideas.
Thanks so much Ramona. And as you’ve grown, so have *I*!!! Oh my. I’ve learned soooooo much because writing has often forced me to examine exactly how I do something. OR, I simply didn’t have enough knowledge in some aspect or other and needed to research it to be sure I was getting it right.
Many years ago I read that BM White Dove was the perfect white. The following year, when I decided to paint our dark kitchen cabinets white, I miss remembered and used oil-based SW Dover White. A very happy mistake. It’s a rich beautiful white that plays well with everything.
Phew! Glad it worked out!
Another gloriously jam-packed and informational post friend- so, SO good!
The mood board you posted above that you created with Simply White *may* be my favorite ever that you have done…..
*maybe*
it’s SO hard to choose a fave!!
SO excited to see you next week!!
xoxox
Me too, honey, me too!!! xoxo
As usual Laurel – ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for this fabulous update! I have BM White Dove and Cottonballs burned into my brain! So happy the two classics haven’t changed.
Everyone has their favorite shades of white paint. That’s why white paint is exactly like a husband. Once you have one you love, you don’t need to go looking for another. It was only after I started blogging that I felt compelled to start “cheating.”
Peer pressure is a powerful thing. lol
omg… I’m so ashamed. I just saw your response to a previous comment on this blog. face palm.
Off to go read your ceiling paint post!
Thank you again!
Dear Laurel, I squealed with delight for this update!!! We’re about to start demo any day on a cute little 1950s colonial in A2, and I’ve been obsessively reading your blog and taking in all of your advice. I have a sticking point however. What about the ceiling?! I noticed in your reply to a comment on an older blog post something along the lines of “don’t worry about the ceiling, you won’t notice it in a week”. But I have angst!! I’m planning to follow your advice and use cotton balls for both wall and trim…and my current plan is to use it for the ceiling too, but mostly because the thought of picking a ceiling color overwhelms me. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ What effect do ceiling colors have on wall/trim color..and vice versa? Should you paint the ceiling the same color as the trim? Sorry if this is a painfully novice question.
Hi Heather. I see your other comment above this one. Thank you. I appreciate that.
For your same reasons Laurel, I would marry Darryl Carter!
Knotting Hill blog owner is Michele
another great post, cheers!
Debra
Thanks Debra. Yes, I would marry Darryl too and Mark Sikes and William McLure even though most would frown at the age difference.
I don’t really care. lol
I love your blog! My house is a 120 year old colonial and was such a timely post for me, since I have a old bathroom, claw foot tub with a terra-cotta stone floor and white dove window and baseboard trim. I want to paint the walls a white, maybe ivory white or cotton balls. Would this look dirty perhaps next to the white dove trim?
I don’t know. Why not just paint the walls White Dove? Otherwise, get some paint chips. Narrow it down and then get a few test quarts and make your boards. Look at in all lights and in numerous places.
Soft Chamois BM
I gather that you like Soft Chamois? ;]
My first experience with white paint came when I wanted to paint my golden oak cabinets. I knew I wanted them white. I went to my local Ace Hardware store & sitting on their shelves were gallons of trim, door, & cabinet paint in white. I bought one & painted my upper cabinets. I was pretty happy with the color. When it was time to freshen up my baseboards I used the leftover paint. That’s when I realized the shade of white was different then my existing white trim & doors. So now I’m trying to get everything painted in the same shade of white. I had no idea that whites could be so different.
Hi Mary,
Most people don’t until they encounter a situation which proved to them otherwise.
Laurel
Have fun in Vegas baby
Thank you Susan.
What about soft chamois? I used it in my whole house walls and trim and LOVE it.
That’s terrific Renee!
Hi Laurel!
This is the first time I have commented but just want to open with . . . I LOVE your posts! 🙂
I was so happy that BM distant grey got a shout out. We moved into a new home recently that has new Corian countertops. I thought they were white but when I started to research paint colors for the cabinets I realized the color was a close match to distant grey. Alas, I was hoping to go with a warm paint palette in the house, but now I’m not sure if that’s possible without making the counters look dingy.
My question is: Is there a way to bridge cool palettes with warm palettes on the same floor of a house? Perhaps by using an intermediate “skip” color? Or in this case am I stuck with cooler tones?
I thought perhaps I could paint the kitchen cabinets in a cooler color to coordinate with the counters, but then using a warmer white in other rooms. However, we have an open flowing floor plan so I’m not sure if this will fly.
Some other data points:
1) We live in the northeast and the exposures are north and east facing, so predominately cool light. Another reason to warm things up a bit if feasible.
2) Replacing the countertops isn’t in the budget.
I think you are going to tell me to hire a decorator, but figured I would give this a shot. 🙂 I’m guessing I’m not the first person who has this question about mixing tonal lanes in the same room/open area.
Thank you!
Hi Johanna,
I’m so sorry. I realize that you need help and don’t know what to do, but since I’m not there, it’s impossible. It might be possible to mix warm and cool tones together. The bathroom with the gray and white wallpaper that I did is an example. There are all different shades of white in there and that complexity is what I think makes it interesting.
Hi Laurel –
If whites are not good for north facing rooms, then what neutrals would work?
Love your blog!
Hi Kelly,
Some whites can be used for north facing rooms, but it really depends on a lot of factors and what one would like the outcome to be. However, the point is, if a room isn’t light and bright in natural light, to begin with, no amount of white paint color is going to help that. Please check out this post about paint colors for north-facing rooms.
Great update, Laurel! I think shades of paint might be easier than husbands…:) Hope you are well!
haha
This was a really interesting read for me as we are about to list our custom home (that we HATE!) for sale. We hired a designer when we built this home and she truly did a lovely job…with everything EXCEPT the “white” trim color used throughout the home.
That color is Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan 7531. Oh. My. Gosh. It just looks DIRTY! It ALWAYS looks dirty. We have a ton of natural light throughout the home. Maybe that’s the problem? Perhaps it would be that creamy color I hoped for if it were darker in here.
It doesn’t matter what color it is used with in my home. Some wall colors used are (all Sherwin Williams): Amazing Grey, Worldly Grey, Sensible Hue, Balanced Beige, Grays Harbor. These are ALL lovely colors. The Canvas Tan just ruins it for me!
So, counting the days until we are outta here and moving into our new (old) swanky place—-WITHOUT CANVAS TAN!
Hi Kasie,
Well, I’m sorry that you had that experience. All the best for your move into your new (old) home!
I love that you updated this post! Yes indeed this was the post that brought you to my world and taught me about how paint means nothing without LIGHT and SAMPLES!
– I tried linen and ivory and all looked like sad mud in my CT north facing room— until F&B Wimborne White went up and angels started to sing.
– the runner up was a wild lark of mixing BM Ivory and Snowfall White. It was so pretty I wanted to send you a sample on my stir stick but I thought that’s creepy.
– after 17 swatches on my exterior I chose BM “White” and laughed at how much we can overthink these things.
Much <3 and appreciation Laurel
Hi Jennifer,
Thank you so much for the lovely comment! I would’ve smiled had you sent me the stick. I wouldn’t have found that in the slightest creepy. Creepy is receiving a type-written three page letter on lavender stationery, no name or address, but chastising me at length for various things I’ve done or said.
Thank you Laurel, for the update. I’ll bet your paint colors get pinned more than anyone else’s in the blogosphere! One question: What do you think of BM Collingwood? I have it in a good portion of my house. I also have RH Stone in the Master Bedroom which is quite close to Collingwood. The two areas were remodeled at different times, which is the reason for the two colors. Most people never notice the transition between the two. Collingwood comes off as a creamy white with gray undertones. I’ve had it for many years now, and am considering one of your white color suggestions for the next project. Will I regret going white as opposed to this subtle grayish white?
I wish I had the powers to divine an answer for you, Judith, but it’s impossible to say without standing in your home and seeing EVERYTHING that’s going on.
Ahhh paint colors!!! Love this post.
I lucked out 5 years ago when I chose Chantilly lace for my trim, the one paint decision I don’t regret!!! I have loved Chantilly since. We knocked down and rebuilt 75% of our house, main living area faces south east but has windows on all sides, super bright. Per your tutelage, I tested my narrowed down choices, simply white, cotton balls and my beloved Chantilly lace on multiple walls… Chantilly won each time. I think it’s the purist white paint color there is! I didn’t see any yellow or blue or green undertones just pure white each time. Since my rooms are so so bright, this was the only color that I didn’t question or wonder if it would look dingy, it’s also the color all 94437329;&4$3 of the workers at my house liked too. Haha
Now I’m positively FROZEN, PARALYZED in my paint selection for a new pool bath and a mudroom bench. Two small surfaces keeping me up at night. Paint selection is truly truly difficult.
Hi Heidi,
Well, at least that one worked out. Chantilly isn’t in this post. The thought crossed my mind to add it in, but then I forgot. It’s very close to super white. It is a color in my paint collection, however.
Always interesting to see how the different “whites” behave.
Two remarks here: one advantage of the F&B colour card is that it isn’t a fan deck, so all the colours are on a white background, which helps to see the undertones (as Maria Killam points out) — and I like having a limited choice!
Secondly, I notice in your photos that several of the best show the “white” with touches or more of green (plants) and black or charcoal — both the Bland pics do that — a great idea for colour combinations?
Hi Gilly,
Gerald Bland’s decor is a master class in the art of design and decoration. I would merely copy everything he does. The end.
Thanks for the refresh on this post. I’ve read the first one several times and this is right in time for me! I am just about to have a partition wall added for an entryway, and to repaint my living room white. (With a Palladium ceiling). I’m going to use cotton balls for all the trim in my house and I had Been thinking about China white for the walls. I’ll steer clear of that now and do either paper white or keep to cotton balls. (This crazy paint lady has one more trip for a sample).
Thanks again, your blog really has helped me make my house a happy place.
Thanks so much Amy. And, that reminded me. I just added in the ceiling paint colors post. Another reason to redo some posts is that there are 600 now!
Thanks so much for this. A great guide, especially because whites are often confusing.
I’m curious about your opinion of B Moore’s Mayonnaise, if you h ave one. I used it in the bathroom to match the older tiles, but I actually really like it’s creaminess….
Hi Laura,
Yes, I’ve used it before and also like it. I haven’t checked, but I believe that it’s also close to Ivory White.