Best White Paints - And When To Use Them

[@Creyole]

I’m so glad she told us the color of her house. I love that color behind her and I love her soothing voice!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

thank you so much, you are too kind!

[@jeaninewalsh5120]

I agree! I especially like the color as well behind her. I painted Simply White and I'm not sure if I love it or not. I like it on one section of my kitchen and not so much on the other. I was thinking of switching to Chantilly Lace since I have purple/lavender tones in my house. And now I'm thinking of using Swiss Coffee somewhere in my house. Thank you for sharing this video.

[@katp1113]

Best advice on white paint I’ve heard! Thank you for the clarity and for not offering an overwhelming number of options.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

So glad you found it helpful! I wanted to narrow the options down because I know how overwhelming it can be to try to decide between very similar ones.

[@user-xx7bn1we3o]

Thank you for minimizing the color choices. There are so many whites and choosing the right color can be overwhelming. This is a helpful video.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

So glad you found the video helpful. I know how overwhelming it can be to try to decide between very similar whites so I'm really happy you liked this narrowing down of the options too.

[@JennyLouRN]

Yes, @Creyole, her voice is so soothing. @Kellyhopter - I have been pleasantly surprised at the content of your videos. Your decorating judgment is enhanced by your professional, soothing demeanor.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

thank you very much for such lovely feedback. So glad to hear you've enjoyed the videos.

[@helene420]

I'm so glad you said Swiss Coffee is what you use in your own house. I know nothing about paint colors but have to paint the bedroom I'm moving into which is peach 😳 I was leaning towards Swiss Coffee only because I know it's popular and I want something light but warm. I think I'll go with it, thank you!

[@adrianastandard9695]

I love your calm demeanor and the value and clarity of your information. I appreciate that your experience is enabling you to make it a less complex issue for us (or just me; I am totally inadequate when it comes to decor and afraid of making costly mistakes) when choosing paint.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thanks so much for this wonderful feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video (and my sincere apologies for such a delayed response!)

[@luv2cre84]

I just found your channel and I am SO grateful I did! I’m on my third video and I just wanted to *thank* you for choosing to only share a limited amount of colors. I always struggle with making that final decision, and the seemingly endless options of paint colors to choose from are exhaustingly overwhelming!😓 So thank you!!🙏🏼 Happy new subscriber!🥰

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thanks so much for this wonderful feedback, I’m so glad you enjoyed the video. I know how overwhelming it can be when we face too many choices and I’m so glad you found it helpful that I narrowed them down (and my sincere apologies for such a delayed response!)

[@bfranklin1052]

I'm working on a new project and came back to this video to refresh my thinking with your perspective on this topic. Loved it! Thanks Ines.

[@unapologeticallyreal]

Benjamin Moore Oxford White is my go to for pure crisp white. Always buy their best line of paints-the extra cost is absolutely worth the quality of finish!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

That's another great one, for sure! And yes to quality paint!

[@charitygolden2190]

This was so incredibly helpful. Thank you! Torn between Chantilly Lace and Simply White so ordering samples. Excited to dive into your channel; continued abundance to you!

[@thekirksiffs5285]

This is very helpful. A few days ago I got several half-pint jars of paint to try out on my walls. I got Chantilly Lace, Simply White, Swiss Coffee, Alabaster, and White Opulence. I feel more confident in my choice of Chantilly Lace after hearing your video today. Drywall is bing textured today, and painters come tomorrow to prep!

[@1redarmy1]

Thank you, really helpful. My balcony flat is indeed Southfacing and gets very bright and sunny, I think im going to go with your second choice, the B Moore Chatilly lace sounds like what Im looking for.

[@JenniferHayslip]

Wonderful and informative video! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@sophiekarnak3936]

I'm a huge fan of Simply White, I think it's the most perfect white that goes with everything and I painted all my ceilings and trim with it. It looks like a dramatic bright white paired with Kendall Charcoal in the family room yet still manages to look soft and pretty paired with SW Sea Salt in the primary bedroom and bath. I messed up in the entry and hallways, though, which I painted BM China White because I wanted a little contrast between the walls and trim, and I think the combination is just too wishy-washy - different enough to look unmatched but not enough contrast to look good. I plan to repaint the walls in Simply White, but it's a 2-story entry so a major pain to repaint it, but it's really bugging me! I just binge-watched all your videos and am looking forward to the next!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

I couldn’t agree more on Simply White!! Such a perfect color, isn’t it. And yes, it’s best to keep the walls and the trim the same - I’m sure you’ll love it once it’s done although yes, it can be a pain to repaint… good luck!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

(And I’m terribly sorry for the delayed reply!!)

[@user-yx4wm4xe8z]

Thank you so very much for sharing with your wisdom, so love this video! ❤😊

[@stum7396]

Lovely and super helpful video thank you! 🙏

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

I'm so glad you found it helpful. Thank you for watching!

[@Eveyjim10]

Hello 👋! My go to white paint from BM is White Dove. I love the warmth it gives to my space. I paired it with Decorator white on my ceilings. I truly love the slight contrast.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

yes, White Dove is another great choice! I haven't tried that pairing but sounds very intriguing!

[@thistledowntreasures7990]

Love your style, and the direct, calm way that you present the information. I have been wondering about samplize, good to know it is actually paint and reputable company.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thank you very much, so glad you enjoyed the video.

[@maryannhartzell2958]

Thank you for such wonderful information💫

[@elizabethmaday5263]

Love your videos. This info is exactly what i need.

[@JackSmith-qi7dr]

Wonderful video. Thank you for this effort. p.s. love your side table!

[@justatitle]

Really helpful! Thank you. I never realized using Chantilly Lace is a south facing room would cast more of a yellow hue. “I always thought a south facing room would cast a blue hue since the sun’s hottest spectrum is blue.” If you have a blue light, or rays and yellowish undertone paint, the undertone would naturally want to lean green. But since Chantilly Lace leans more neutral or less color it would make since why it would work in a south facing room. So thank you.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@rochellelorito7955]

I like the Swiss Coffee very much.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

so glad we agree!

[@Francine-ph7xy]

Love so many things you do but the cabinets are too shiny? I’m kind of surprised you like shiny like that? But we are all different that’s what makes the world go round! Love your new music and as always Kinsley touching your face ❤❤

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thanks so much for your kind words. Curious which cabinets appear shiny in the video? Our cabinets are typically a soft satin finish - just enough sheen to allow for easy cleaning but definitely not shiny in real life 😊

[@plhwl.2461]

Love your opinion, very helpful for me and thank you so much 🙏

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thanks so much for watching, so glad you enjoyed it.

[@Encourageable]

I would humbly say, from trial and error, you can’t take someone’s online advice for paint selection. Her suggestions may be a good starting point - pick one and buy the smallest quantity sample you can and put it on your wall in a place that gets sun and shade (like under cabinets and extending out on to a wall) - this way you can see it in different lights. Paint swatches are simply too small - I used them the last time I painted and I thought I made a good selection but I was disappointed with the way it looked on a full wall. I spent a lot (too much) time listening to video recommendations and after trying a few of the most popular I ended up with a less commonly spoken of paint called Sherwin Williams Shoji White. I wanted a natural chalk white, or pure white sand, color and that’s what Shoji White looks like in my house.

[@earthdweller222]

Excellent video! My furnishings are warm colors, browns, wood, But I have a floor to to 8’ ceiling large rock fireplace that is the main focus of the room which is natural stone in colours of Taupe/browns/greys with grey mortar. I’ve painted my kitchen, Benjamin Moore, Dovewing and it looks amazing (everything including trim). I’m considering doing Dovewing in the living room area. But because of the fireplace I’m wondering if I need to go cooler like simply white. There are so many factors it’s really hard to decide.

[@terribuhrow9260]

Great information

[@user-mk7df1xo8o]

Thank you!

[@teresadecker6966]

Very lovely consult! Wish you were nearby bc I am still struggling ! Just not a lot of natural light in my house. And the windows I do have are small. I'm also concerned about using a more saturated white /off white in the north facing rooms. Especially in the IN cold gray winter months. I actually was thinking the wall behind you in your lovely home was Simply White. So I was considering more than the Chantilly Lace I have been leaning towards, in comparison. My hardwood floors are a dark 'cocoa' brown. And I want them to 'pop'. Wondering if Simoly White wood make them look 'off' or vise versa? Oh, and my cabinetry is a light ivory or cream? My concern is would CL be too 'off' making either the cabinets or walls dingy. Or vice versa? My goal is for my home to feel fresh, and cozy, cheerful year-round. Yet, also warm vs chilly vibe in wintertime. As I said, I am struggling! Appreciate suggestions from you or people in this thread who have a better eye for color and style than I have!

[@cdsmith1990]

Hi Kelly - I'm leaning towards Swiss Coffee for my small cottage living room - when you say that you'd use the same colour for trim (just with a different sheen), would that include the doors too?

[@williammendez2230]

Hours of research and this is the best video! South facing kitchen lots of windows open concept to the north den that has a cement gray Roman clay finish. My cabinets are a very light linen with white quartz and all white oak white wash flooring. I was thinking either swiss coffee on all walls and trim. Ceiling simply white. What color would I paint the doors in this scenario? Also would the yellow undertones be ok in this scenario?

[@tonyr7000]

Great video Kelly! Do you only recommend BM paints? Would it be possible to do a similar video for SW, FB, and Behr?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thanks very much, Tony! We use primarily BM at our firm, esp. for whites - since they are so hard to get right, we tend to use colors that are our proven winners.

[@michelebalthazor7655]

What all over (like hallways, main spaces ) wall colors would you suggest to go with Simply White painted cabinets and trim?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

That will depend on the mood you're trying to create. If you're looking for white walls, I would do them in Simply White as well - there's no reason to mix whites and run the risk of competing undertones. And don't worry about things feeling flat - the walls are a different finish and plane so it works really well. If you're looking for a darker color, I would try to choose one that has yellow vs red undertones so that it compliments Simply White and doesn't clash.

[@KarenDiaz-Romero]

Lovely Kelly, so the walls and trim behind you is Swiss coffee?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

It is! In the video is reads a touch lighter that it is in real life.

[@Robin87091]

I would very much like to know what sheen you recommend for a Simply White living area and assuming the same color trim, which sheen for the trim? I've struggled with this detail each time I start a paint project. Thank you!

[@debraochsner7429]

Yes what is the color behind you Kelly in the room you are speaking from? Also, what is the best white for kitchen cabinets that receives North facing light? Thank you Kelly! My kitchen cabinets are being painted Tuesday. I have to give a color to the painter tomorrow. I am stuck on Pure White, Chantilly Lace and Simple White. My wall paint is agreeable grey. Thank you!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

In a north facing room, with Agreeable Grey on the walls, my preference would be Simply White. The yellow undertones shouldn't be too pronounced, whereas Pure White or Chantilly Lace may skew too cold and you may get some pink or sometimes bluish undertones. Hope this helps! And the color behind me is actually Swiss Coffee - in the video is reads a touch lighter that it is in real life.

[@willowlumsden7474]

Thank you so much

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

thanks so much for watching!

[@Stayhydrated736]

Would love to know your thoughts on Greek Villa

[@teresatuite7081]

Hello what a very informative video, so would it be ok to paint wall in swiss coffee and trim in Chantilly lace 🇨🇮

[@prajaktashivarkar7019]

I was wondering if I can use simply white in house with lots of natural light. East facing windows, high ceiling. I have cabinets painted in snowfall white with white quartz. What do you think? So much confused between chantilly lace and simply white

[@jeaninewalsh5120]

Helllo, I painted my kitchen simply white and I keep going back and forth Now I'm thinking I want to paint it Chantilly lace. My cabinets are natural maple color. Could you please tell me which color you would go with and is south-facing room with natural maple cabinets?

[@Springtime-k7p]

Great video! Thank you. What do you think of BM Linen White? Do you think it has warm undertones? Or cool? Best use?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Thank you, so glad you enjoyed it. I haven’t used Linen White so I don’t have direct experience but I would get a sample and compare it against something like Simply White to see what undertones pop for you.

[@juliehiebert7264]

I picked up a sample of Simply White Satin finish for the Trim and heard that the Walls can also be painted the same colour. Would a person also use the Satin finish also. The LR faces North so there is no sun that shines through maybe a little through 3 very high windows. Would you choose this particular White and what sheen for the trim and walls would you suggest? Thank-you

[@sylviasparks5585]

if you paint your walls and trim decorwhite what white would you do your cabinets ?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

If you're thinking of white/offwhite cabinets, I would do Decorator's White as well. With whites/offwhites there's no reason to mix in a different color - you're just running the risk of introducing competing undertones etc. Don't worry that things will feel flat - the cabinets are a different finish and different plane so there will still be depth.

[@sarahskau9333]

Could you recommend a white for a small bathroom without a window? I would like to use the same color on the ceiling walls and trim. The floor is a greige LVP

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

It does depend on the undertones of the stone/tile you have. If the undertones are more yellow, something like Benjamin Moore Simply White can work nicely. If the undertones are red, BM Ballet White could work. The best way to assess is to paint/order a sample from a site like samplize.com and place it beside the floor to make sure the undertones don't clash.

[@lisadomingue6056]

love this video. I am wanting to repaint my trim, walls, and ceilings. perhaps you could give me some suggestions. I have wooden floors that unfortunately have gold in the floor. I am trying to stay away from any yellow but that will not clash with my floors. Also, what finishes are do you use for walls, cabinets, trim, and ceilings. Please keep making videos.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Hi Lisa. I would try BM Simply White - it has little yellow in it but still reads warm and inviting. Walls: eggshell, ceilings: flat, trim and cabinets: satin

[@user-ck7fq6ge5d]

Do you have to use the same white paint colors through out your house downstairs. We live in a traditional 2 story country home built around 1902. My husband has made cherry wood tall woodwork trim and doors throughout the house. We have the midnight blue Ilve stove and I would like a contrasting blue that would go well with it in the island.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Not at all, you can use different colors for different rooms. I would just make sure that you're aware of any transitions room to room - rooms that connect to one another should be the same color.

[@elleshock4571]

Hi Ines, can you please tell me which decorating styles compliment white walls? My house is classic but I do love punches of colors in a chair or flowers like red. Will this contrast start to look kiddish? I am thinking of painting my kitchen, nook and family room which is all adjoined in Swiss Coffee and the floors are dark wood. Thanks.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

White walls are extremely versatile and compliment a wide range of styles. In fact I believe white is one of the best background colors for a more colorful palette in your furnishings because it will never interfere with it, instead it will just create a beautiful understated backdrop that lets your furnishings and art shine. Here is an example - it's my bedroom that we accessorized in a lot of color for a magazine shoot kellyhopterinteriors.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BH-Aug-2018.pdf (scroll to the second page)

[@tonic2335]

Thank you so much for informing me about Hello Paint-it’s amazing!!!!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Oh I'm so glad you found it helpful!! @@tonic2335

[@joquesanz]

Benjamin Moore is not the only paint brand with nice colors.

[@sheilagurr1210]

My house Has many windows open to a golf course. I get an awful green reflection. Racking my brain for the perfect white or neutral. I have Pale Oak now but want to repaint.

[@pretty95138]

would you suggest chantilly lace for exterior of home. mine is south west facing. I hate off whites that give off yellowish hue.

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

absolutely, you can use Chantilly lace for the exterior!

[@pretty95138]

thanks...I hope its not too bright and blinding.@@kellyhopterinteriors

[@creative_nn]

🙏🏻 Благодарю!

[@Virtessafun]

Hello, which would you recommend for lightening a very shady home?

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

You would need to do some testing, for sure. I would start with Chantilly lace and Simply White and see how they read in the room. Pay special attention to the corners as that's where undertones often really pop (you can place two samples in the corner).

[@Virtessafun]

Thank you! @@kellyhopterinteriors

[@AN-iv3wv]

I disagree with the first point - simply white was awful on my new build. I had a lot of grey floors and countertops and simply white was too yellow and clashed with it.

[@Francine-ph7xy]

Sorry Kelly that comment was meant for someone else that I watched right before your video somehow it went on yours? So sorry!

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

Oh haha - no worries!

[@shirleywesley3116]

Video would be better if she showed more of the rooms while she talked. Talk from the background

[@kellyhopterinteriors]

thanks so much for your feedback!!