Master Class - Ultimate Guide to White Paint

It’s just white paint, how hard could it be? As a leading Los Angeles interior design firm we are often asked to select paints for projects whether they be in Malibu or Palm Springs and depending on where that project is will totally change our choice. In fact white is one of the hardest colors to specify for a room, a little change one way or the other and it goes grey, or blue or even a weird pink color, and to make it more complicated, it will change from room to room and in many cases wall to wall as it is the ultimate reflector of whatever else is in the space.

So before we get to my choices of the 5 ultimate white paint colors here are a few tips to help you make the right choice for your design project be it a remodel or brand new construction.

• Make large samples, we will often have our painter produce 2’-0” x 2’-0” boards with the paint sample, that way I can carry it from wall to wall, and see it in various parts of the room.
• Try a minimum of 3 different whites, choosing from a paint fan deck is notoriously difficult even for the top interior designers, so give yourself some good choices that will help your decor ideas come to fruition.
• Lastly, you may want to experiment a bit with finish. Traditionally I use an eggshell or satin finish on walls, but if your walls are a little imperfect then a totally flat paint will disguise some of those imperfections, and with advances in paint technology flat paints are much more practical than they used to be. Gloss paints on a ceiling too are a great way to add some sparkle to a room, so experiment a bit and see what works for you.

Here are 5 of the Ultimate White Colors, I limited my choices to Benjamin Moore as they are going to be a high quality paint that is accessible to most people.

White Dove OC-17

White Dove is a great design choice for most people. The crisp clean color has just a touch of grey that makes it perfect for trim and cabinet designs, but i think that its a great room color, especially for spaces with a greyed out wood floor color.

Super White OC-152

Super White is the purest of the white colors on this list. It is sharp, bright and has some slightly warm undertones. This is the most popular white on the Benjamin Moore selections and if you want that crisp white look no further.

Decorators White I-04

Another white with just a touch of grey tones, this one is a hint softer than Chantilly Lace and combines well with cool color schemes where you want something that feels totally neutral, but still has a little depth to it. Great for walls and ceilings.

Chantilly Lace OC-65

While it is not the brightest white on the list I would say this is the most pure white. It has no cool or warm undertones and as such works with most color schemes. This is a go to color for that sharp, all white box feel or else a great paint color for cabinets too.

Navajo White OC-95

This is the white with the most creamy feel of any on the list. Do not confuse it with the Sherwin Williams color of the same name. This paint has some yellow and orange tones that give it it’s tremendous warmth. A great paint for using in places where there is a ton of natural light.