You Can Never Have Too Much White!

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Home Improvement

 

Judith Sutton ABR CRS IDS PMN ASP IAHSP SRES GREEN

Judy@JudithSutton.com   908 803-0472

EXPECT MORE

 

Simple, clean, and classic. Whether it’s a traditional farmhouse, a modern white condo, or a lovely living space somewhere in between, white paint is always in style.

A modern dining area with Paper White OC-55 walls and ceilings painted with Distant Gray OC-68.

Here are a few of our most versatile, tried-and-true white paints, including Simply White OC-117, a former Benjamin Moore Color of the Year demonstrated in some of these photos.  They show how the color white can be used and the many variations of the shade.

A white kitchen with island painted in Gentle Cream OC-96 and walls painted in Timid White OC-39.

Recognizing Undertones in White Paint

Paint colors are often created by using two or more colors. If there is a higher percentage of one color over the other, that creates an undertone.

Warm white paint colors have undertones of redorange, and yellow, resulting in a soft glow and welcoming vibe—- Cooler whites have hints of greenblue, and violet, contributing to a space that looks crisp, clean, and fresh.

A white painted entryway in Capri Coast OC-87 features vaulted ceilings and a chandelier.


When looking for the right white paint, layer a range of white color chips from your local Benjamin Moore store on top of one another. Observe the difference between brightness levels and undertones. View the chips against your home furnishings to find which white is most complementary.

 

A Lesson in Decorating with Shades of White

Invited Guest Contributor:  Benjamin Moore Paints

 

Our Brightest, Cleanest White Paint Colors

Question: What is Benjamin Moore’s ‘most pure’ white paint?

We’ve narrowed it down to two hues: Chantilly Lace OC-65 and Super White OC-152. These whites have little to no visible undertone, making them two of our ‘whitest white’ paint colors.

 Bathroom painted in Chantilly Lace OC-65 featuring a wooden bathtub and striped rug.

We love these two hues for a few reasons:

  • Adaptable: Color combinations with either of these colors are effortless.
  • Super Bright: If you are looking for a crisp, refreshing white, these should definitely be on your list.
  • High Light Reflectance Value (LRV): In color parlance, this means they reflect a lot of light.

TRIM and SHEEN

For trim, homeowners love Decorator's White OC-149 for its clean, bright look. Others opt for White Dove OC-17, which offers less contrast and a slightly more muted approach to white. If you opt for the classic white-painted trim, I recommend painting all the trim in your home the same color white for continuity. 
For finishes, consider semi-gloss for trim and doors, matte or eggshell for walls, and flat for ceilings.

Sheen helps differentiate any paint color, including white. Use a high gloss sheen to turn up the drama and highlight architectural details. The higher the sheen, the greater the shine and durability. On the other end of the sheen spectrum, a matte finish offers an understated, elegant finish when paired with rich surfaces like marble. countertops.  

In the middle, an eggshell sheen-a homeowner's favorite- offers a soft hint of gloss and easy-to-clean practicality.

 
 

Canopy bed in front of a white gallery wall painted with White Wisp OC-54.

 

At Home with White Paint

Layering white and off-white paint colors creates a richly elegant look. Texture, as seen in the throws and pillows of this White Wisp OC-54-painted bedroom, is especially important in an all-white room. Window treatments provide another creative opportunity for white-on-white design.

Color flow—the colors that connect one room to the next throughout your home–is made easier with white hallways, trim, and doors. Just make sure the whites you choose for these surfaces “work” with other paint colors used in different rooms. Brushing on paint samples and living with them—even when it comes to hallways, trim, and doors—is always the best test.

A white living room with a gallery wall, fireplace and walls painted in Winter Snow OC-63.

Living Rooms: White Paint Always Works

A living room painted in layers of white is always an elegant choice. Here Winter Snow OC-63 is the perfect backdrop for a gallery wall and a striking white-painted brick fireplace painted with ADVANCE® Interior paint in a Satin finish.

If white walls or floors hold great appeal for you, but you also crave color on pillows, throws, rugs, and other furnishings, white works. Keep in mind that when it comes to home accessories:

  • Red, yellow and neutral colors harmonize with warmer white paint colors.
  • Green, blue, and cool gray colors sync with cooler white paint colors.

A white living room with a gallery wall, fireplace and walls painted in Winter Snow OC-63.

The Great Outdoors

Traditional home with red door in Caliente AF-290, wrap-around porch and siding in White Diamond OC-61.

 

Classic White Exteriors

A white or off-white exterior is a longstanding homeowner favorite. White-painted homes effortlessly stand out from surrounding landscapes, as seen here in White Diamond OC-61.

Exterior siding in white paint creates a blank canvas for complementing brick, stone, and slate. Other hues we love for all-white homes include Swiss Coffee OC-45Cloud Cover OC-25, and Distant Gray OC-68. Conversely, white-painted exterior trim against deeper hued siding—think windows, columns, railings dormers, and rooflines—highlights architectural details and adds clean, crisp lines to any home exterior.

And there you have it!  Calming, fresh, always in style- great backdrops for any artwork, fixture, or furniture design, white wins as a star in every category!  Have a seat in serenity!

Sunlit sitting area with Maritime White OC-5-painted wall and wood-framed armchair with cream-colored cushion and pillow.

 

Judy@JudithSutton.com  

 

908 803-0472
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