I can preach all day about the virtues of painting your walls white. I rarely spec another colour and have, more than once, talked a client out of using strong colour or around the dreaded ‘statement wall’. Do people still do that? I feel like it desperately needs to fall to the waist-side like balloon curtains and flip jeans.
All of this said, colour is deeply personal so if you want to make poor personal decisions, have at it. But here is my take:
One Statement
I live by the ‘one statement’ per room philosophy. I don’t like the distraction of a busy room and strong colour can become just that. A white wall is a blank canvas, leaving room for furniture and artwork, selected objets, drapery and all of the other necessary must-haves that finish a space, show its purpose and make it functional.
Architects – Be Heard!
White most effectively showcases your architecture and highlights detail. Again, it isn’t a distraction. Details like windows and light fixtures, trim work and molding become features against a light wall. Too dark a wall rinses it all out.
Open Up
White gives everything more volume – it does. It creates space, raises ceilings and broadens walls. And where there is little light, it brightens things up. Magic.
Never Say Never
You CAN get away with colour if it is the only thing in the room that is bold, there is tons of natural light, decent celings (not less than 9 feet) and it is a clutter-free, uncomplicated space. For example, our dining room used to be painted a midnight blue and it worked because the only thing in there was a dining table and some desperate housewife lighting (think clean glitz). But when I added my table and dining bench and Lindsay Adelman stunner over the table, it became a distraction. So guess what? Walls went white and now what I want to pop, pops.
But for God’s sake, do not paint adjoining or adjacent rooms drastically different colours. It will bring on migraines.
Favorite Whites
It may sound like splitting hairs but different whites exist – cool with blue or grey undertones, sometimes violet and warm with gold or earthy hits. Here are some of my favorites:
Benjamin Moore Chalk White 2126-70: Definitely with a hint of grey – I love this white. It’s my jam.
Benjamin Moore Cloud White CC-40: Good ‘ol CC-40. On the warm side, most professional painters will tell you this is the most specified colour for trim and walls. Hands down.
Farrow & Ball All White No. 2005: No one does colour like Farrow & Ball. Its collection is carefully curated so instead of having thousands of shades and tones to choose from, they select one or two making the selection process easy as Sunday morning. I love this white with its modern grey undertone.
Farrow & Ball Home No. 239: Still cool but more blue. This is a wonderful white.