New designs always call for new paint. I often start with a white paint. I love how white immediately freshens up a space. It’s an instant update. When I start with a white foundation, I can have fun adding pops of colors with rugs, art and textiles. I’ve been getting several questions about what color paint I have used in some of my most recent designs. For today’s Q+A, I’m sharing some of my favorite whites from my projects and a white paint guide for you to use as a resource.
Q: I hear you refer to “white white” paint. What does that mean?
/ Gold Chandelier / Table / Wishbone Chairs /
A: In this dining room of the Cido Project, Nicole Davis and I started by painting the walls a fresh “white white.” This means a white paint with no pigment. We used a semi gloss finish on the walls in the dining room and eggshell throughout the rest of the house
/ Drum Pendant / Chairs and table Restoration Hardware /
Sometimes a space calls for a warmer white. This cozy kitchen nook looks light and bright with Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.
Q: Which color did you paint this living room?
A: This space is Dunn Edwards, Foggy Day in eggshell. I loved how it looked soft and pretty, creating a beautiful palette for the rest of the design.
I hope I have answered some of your questions about which paint I love to work with and this paint guide will be helpful to you as you are making upcoming decisions. Have a wonderful Monday!
Xxo
Becki
We are redoing our kitchen right now, and I am going to paint our cabinets white. Do you recommend an eggshell finish or a semi glass for the cabinets?
Thanks!
Jessica
I usually do semi gloss or satin depending on how shiny you want them!
Ok, thank you!
What white paint do you use in kitchen to match white appliances? Appliance white paint isn’t always correct.
I would just try and match your appliances. I haven’t had to match white appliances, so I’m not exactly sure.
Resubmitting so I am notified of any follow-up comments 🙂 Thanks!
I am in the process of painting my hallway white (eggshell). I have 4 doors and the a/c door in the hallway. Do I try to match the white on the walls?
Yes I would match all, you could do the doors a semi gloss, but same color.
thanks for the tip! i’ve always loved pure white by sw but i wonder if that’s pretty similar to ben moore simply white. i’ll have to check! xx
Do you typically paint the trim in the room the same color white? I’m struggling with a spanish bungalow interior currently has an off white paint with wood trim that needs to either be restrained or painted over. Worried keeping it wood is too heavy and dated but if I paint white is it best to paint the same color as walls? thanks
Yes I would paint them the same color as the walls. Thanks!
i’m painting my bedroom this weekend & i’m going to paint one wall with blue & other with white, what you think this would be a good combo .
Sounds great!
Thanks admin.
Do you have a suggestion for a white paint color that I could use to paint an old 1850’s farmhouse with lots of interior wood (like bead board at varying widths). I want to paint the entire interior basically the same color throughout. Would you do ceiling, trim & walls all the same color white with different finishes or would you vary the white?
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Painting our new house and the ceilings are already white. Do you leave those and pick a different white for the walls or should you repaint the walls and ceiling together?
We often paint the ceiling and walls the same color for an all over cohesive fresh look.
Our home has Sherman Williams Creamy baseboards and want to paint the walls a different color as they are dark tan in color. I love fresh white of chantilly lace or swiss coffee but both are too white compared to my baseboards. Trying to avoid repainting baseboard and wondering if you have a suggested paint color for the walls. Or maybe I just have to repaint it all. Thanks
Hi. We often paint the baseboards and walls the same color for a fresh seamless look. Paint does wonders:)
Have you ever used alabaster white? I am choosing between that and Chantilly Lace. Our house is from the 50s and has a farmhouse vibe. Our cabinets are going to be a softer white so not sure what kind of white to make the walls. If contrast is better or match?
A little contrast is always nice. We recommend putting a small paint sample on the wall next to your cabinets to to compare.