While many are saying white is out, the truth is, it will always have a place.
Designers that have been in the game for a long time watch trends but we know not to jump on any particular bandwagon. For us, it’s our job to manage how to use paint, wood, antiques, new furniture, pattern, color, scale, and value to make a home beautiful and the reflection of our clients. So everything makes it in to the mix at one point or another.
In an ode to white, I thought I’d share some of my favorites that I use over and over again.
I don’t pick them randomly. I’ll pull them from a non-negotiable white that already exists in the color scheme. This could be the white of the window panes or stone countertops. And yes! Whites are very, very different.
Why am I telling you this?
You may see a photo and think “Aha! I love that white. I’ll use it.”
That’s not a good idea.
White is affected by everything around it, so context is everything. The second problem is that screens read differently for everyone, so you could be seeing something that isn’t “true”. Be aware of these caveats before picking a white.
You need to pick your own white (or hire a designer to do it for you) on location. As a professional in the trade, I have large paint cards that help immensely in the process of picking paint colors.
Now let’s get to the good part!
I used SW “Rhinestone” in my own home. This is a very cool white, which makes it read blue or gray depending on the circumstances. I picked it from the quartz countertop (you can see the backsplash behind my faucet under my window).
BM “Simply White” is a warm white, which means it is has a slight yellow undertone. I think it’s neutral enough to use on many jobs, but I wouldn’t paint an exterior with it because the sun would make it look cream.
And while I don’t have photos to share, here’s a list of a few other whites that are always in the running:
Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace” (Neutral. Ok for exteriors).
Benjamin Moore “Oxford White” (Neutral but creamier than Chantilly Lace).
Sherwin Williams “Incredible White” (cool white, although not as cool as Rhinestone).
Do you have interior design questions?
Send them via my contact page or drop them below, and I’ll try to answer them on the blog.
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