Our Architects and Designers Share Six Go-To White Paint Colors
My #1 go-to paint color is Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, since white is used somewhere on most projects. It’s a crisp white that looks great with a lot of other whites, and I’ll use this on walls, trim, and ceilings in eggshell, semi-gloss, and flat sheens respectively.
Kate Donahue
Chantilly Lace was used throughout this Cozy Bungalow Fix-Up in Washington, DC to create a neutral backdrop that allows other features, such as the colorful tile in the kitchen and bathroom, to be the focal point.
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White pairs well with natural materials. It is softer than the equally popular White Dove which can have some pinkish undertones.
Iva Saller
Simply White was used on the ceiling and walls in the dining area of this Great Falls, Virginia full home remodel. See photos of this home’s luxurious primary bathroom in our design portfolio!
The cooler tones in Sherwin Williams’ Natural White tend to work well in a home with more of a modern setting.
Iva Saller
Four Brothers used Natural White throughout this Foxhall, Washington, DC full home remodel that has the modern aesthetic mentioned above. The white provides a great backdrop for the black accents throughout the home and creates lots of dramatic contrast.
Benjamin Moore’s Mountain Peak White is a really nice cream color that helps rooms have more of a cozy feeling.
Sondra Zabroske
Warm off-whites, like recommended shades 4, 5, and 6, are a great option if you’re worried about white walls feeling too sterile. These tones still provide the brightness of white and can create a very inviting and relaxed atmosphere.
Farrow + Ball School House white paint is a creamier off-white color that is heading towards taupe. It is a very soft color.
Iva Saller
School House White was also used in the Great Falls home remodel previously mentioned. This shade of white was used on the walls in the great room and pairs beautifully with the beams, creating the very cozy atmosphere the homeowners desired for the space.
Sherwin Williams’ Alabaster pairs well with dark trim and, keep it mind, it tends to look much brighter in person.
Iva Saller
Four Brothers used Alabaster white on the exterior of the Foxhall, Washington, DC home remodel previously mentioned. The color provides more warmth than a stark white, and still provides beautiful contrast against the dark garage doors, windows, and front door.