A white wall is timeless. Depending on the room, it can read as classic or contemporary; depending on the tint, it can read as warm or cool; and ultimately it is the perfect backdrop in just about any space. No longer relegated to rental spaces or just molding, white paint is taking center stage in 2016. Benjamin Moore dubbed Simply White (OC-117) its Color of the Year and Sherwin-Williams followed shortly thereafter, naming Alabaster (SW 7008) its Color of the Year. Perhaps it’s a nod to simplicity and to streamlining in the new year.
Here, our 10 favorite designers share their foolproof white paint colors for every space:
Martyn Lawrence Bullard
Benjamin Moore White Opulence (OC-69)
“It has a beautiful, warm glow to it that works perfectly over plastered walls, especially in a period home like Ellen Pompeo's Hollywood Hills sitting room. The way the light catches this particular paint hue makes a really special backdrop to display sculptural furniture and art against, whilst retaining a cozy living environment.”
Reagan Hayes
Benjamin Moore China White (PM-20)
"This is one of my favorite off-white colors to use. It has the slightest touch of gray in it to give the color some depth and keep it from being too stark."
Carrier and Company
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC 17)
“This is our go-to white because it reads crisp and clear and has a warm, creamy feel. If a white is too pure, it will contrast too sharply with other colors, or feel icy if used to coat a room.”
Jon Maroto of Flair
Benjamin Moore Distant Grey (2124-70)
"It is not too cool or too warm and works beautifully in a house that gets a full range of light all year. It is the perfect backdrop for strong colors or neutrals."
Birgit Klein
Farrow and Ball Cornforth White
“It’s such a versatile white that works in any room, in any light. It has a warm undertone that makes it more interesting than a basic bright white.”
Betsy Burnham
Benjamin Moore White Dove (OC-17)
“We’ve fallen in love with white walls over the past couple of years, and this is our go-to. It’s a very livable white—clean with a hint of cream—so it never seems shocking or primer-like. This can be a problem with bright whites, we’ve found—rooms can end up looking unfinished.”
Pappas Miron
Farrow and Ball Pointing
“Pointing is our go-to white for updated traditional interiors. It is warm and rich—a true classic creamy white that offsets both classic and modern furnishings.”
Lilly Bunn
Farrow and Ball Pointing
“My favorite wall color—especially for a big room—is white. Particularly this shade from Farrow and Ball. Nothing is more versatile and it brings so much light into a room.”
Tilton Fenwick
Farrow and Ball Pointing
“This is our favorite white—not too white and not too creamy—which is a hard balance to strike. It glows in the sunlight and provides a clean backdrop for showcasing artwork.”
Ben Pentreath
Farrow and Ball Strong White
“I don’t often use a pure white, but recently I’ve been using this white in many of the interiors of an early Georgian house we’ve been working on. It’s a beautiful, serene, soft color, without too much warmth or creaminess—a perfect chalky white.”