There are thousands of articles about white paint colors. The truth is that to pick the right white paint color within Benjamin Moore whites all you have to do is compare them to Chantilly Lace paint in the following way:
- Compare Chantilly Lace paint – Benjamin Moore true white, to a white paint you are considering to use. Does it look darker, lighter, brighter, colder? Do you see the difference?
- Look at the colors of your home’s surfaces, such as flooring, tile, carpet, countertops to determine if these colors are warm, cool or neutral. Warm white goes with warm colors of your finishes, cold white goes with cold colors of your finishes.
- Decide on your decorative style, i.e., traditional, modern, transitional or anything in between. Traditional style interiors use more contrast with moldings, modern interiors use much less contrast with moldings.
True White
Chantilly Lace 2121-70
So, what makes Chantilly Lace paint true white?
Because Chantilly Lace paint has no tint it is the starting point when you compare it to any other Benjamin Moore whites.
Other white paints will have variations from very subtle to obvious. They will look warmer, colder, darker, lighter, cleaner, more muted, and everything in between.
How to compare Chantilly Lace paint to other Benjamin Moore whites
I place two paint chips side by side and look at them at different light and different times of the day.
When you place two white paint color chips side by side you will notice a slight difference. For example, White Dove paint color will look warmer compared to Chantilly Lace. Yet by itself, it will appear white and crisp.
How to use Chantilly Lace paint
Chantilly Lace paint is pretty much universal. You can use it for traditional moldings and doors, modern style walls if you want them to appear bright in a house with high ceilings and many windows. It will work great with Carrara marble. It is hard to go wrong with this paint color. However, it won’t make a dark room look brighter. No bright white ever will.
Cool (Blue) Whites
What if your surfaces, such as flooring, tile, granite, countertop, furniture fabric, etc, have a lot of cool colors, such as gray and blue?
If your surfaces and materials have cool colors in them choose white paint that is cooler, or more bluish compared to Chantilly Lace paint, such as White Diamond.
White Diamond 2121-60
Benjamin Moore White Diamond paint is colder, that is, it has a more blue tint compared to Chantilly Lace paint but in a room, it looks cool white without any yellowish tones.
Off- Whites
If your surfaces and furnishings have a combination of cool and warm colors or you just don’t want stark white walls you might want to consider off white paint colors.
Following are popular off white paint colors:
White Dove OC-17
White Dove is a soft white neutral without being yellowish. It is an off white with a slightly creamy tint ( designers call it undertone). It is white with a touch of cream. It will work with beige and brown. It looks clean and crisp but yet warm enough in modern style interiors, even though it is just slightly warmer than true white colors. In traditional rooms, it still looks crisp and clean without being stark or cold. But if you are using Carrera marble for the countertop, White Dove is not your best choice. Use Chantilly Lace instead.
Simply White 2143-70
Simply White is the most versatile that looks fresh with either warm colors or cool colors. It is less creamy and warm than White Dove. It will work if you want a paint color that is not stark white but still a white that works with warmer tones of your surfaces. It’s a safe white that works with most colors as it is a color of choice by designers and architects. However, it might look too bright with very dark colors.
Cloud White OC-130
Cloud White is a classic white color. It is more creamy with yellowish undertones compared to Simply White. However, it looks warm and soft but yet fresh and inviting. It doesn’t appear as a sharp contrast with other wall colors. It works well with Benjamin Moore Historical Colors.
Creamy Whites
Ivory White 925
Use Ivory White if you want your room to look warm white without being peachy or yellow.
Mascarpone AF-20
Mascarpone is a perfect creamy white that is pretty and warm. Not too stark and not too creamy/yellowish. This paint has a pastel base and needs more coats, especially on the cabinets.
This is all for today to make your life picking white colors easier. But please come back, okay? I will write more on the subject.
Of course, as usual, if you want to chat just post your comments here below!
Hi
My painter did a sample of chantilly lace on my walls and it looks dead. Which white is still very white but warmer and more alive for walls? And what should I use for doors and trim?
Thanks
Shirley
You can try Cloud White BM 967 it is warmer or Sherwin Williams Dover White. If it is not warm enough, try BM Ivory White, it has a creamy undertone that is not yellow.
I am painting a bedroom that has a black iron bed and white furniture as well as white textured spread. Would you suggest Chantilly Lace or White Dove
It depends on the lighting in the room. Chantilly Lace is pure white, and White Dove is a bit warmer.
Hi Marina,
I’m having my home’s interior painted and having difficulty choosing the right color. My floors are somewhat beige with a pink cast. I’m looking at Ben Moore light greiges but I’m stuck. Please recommend some options.
Thanks
HI Marina! I love the bright white of Chantilly Lace and using it for the paint application on my millwork, trims, and doors which are mainly semi-gloss. I’m afraid if I use Chantilly Lace in a matte finish on the walls, then the whole house may look too stark or too bright white. I want the overall feel to be calming with a nice subtle contrast, and would look with with black windows. Which other BM whites would pair well with Chantilly Lace trims?
Nisha,
Sorry for the delay. Any color works with Chantilly Lace. Just any!
I currently have SW Alabaster (Emerald flat finish) on my walls and within few weeks will be undergoing reno of kitchen cabinets, trim, interior doors and need to find a BM paint as my custom cabinet guy prefers a specific type of BM Satin paint for durability. I like the creamy warm look of alabaster especially in the day as beach condo gets lots of natural light. I’m looking for a slightly whiter but still warm BM paint for cabinets (and will use same on trim, doors/casings) that will go well with SW Alabaster. I want slightly lighter/whiter cream so there is some slight contrast between walls and cabinet, trim, etc. Ceiling are SW Extra White currently and could be changed if necessary although I find the SW Extra White Ceiling Paint takes on/reflects much of what is going on in the walls. Some BM paints I”m considering based on large sample swatches i have obtained are: Steam, Simply White, Snowfall White, Cloud White and White Dove (both latter seem a tad too close to SW Alabaster for contract), and lastly Chantilly Lace. Is Chantilly Lace too white? Is there another BM white similar to Chantilly Lace but a tad warmer/creamy?
Kim,
It all depends on the lighting in your space. All of the colors that you listed will look more or less white and create not much contrast. You might consider SW Natural linen or BM Dolce de Lece.
We just painted our house walls Chantilly Lace and love it. However I feel using the semi gloss Chantilly lace in the doors didn’t work so well. Any recommendations on what other shade of white would go well there?
Hi Marina!
Your post may have saved my sanity! I find picking trim stressful, and this is a truly helpful guide!
Thanks so much!
Nancy
Thank you much!
Our “new” home is over 300 yrs old. For the south facing master bath, we’re using Batchelor Blue (BM 1629) coupled with a deft-like tile. For the sunroom (wall of windows also south facing—a newer addition) we’re using Smoke (BM 2122-40). Would Chantilly Lace work as a trim? Or do you have suggestions? Both rooms have warm elements as well.
Thank you!
Chantilly Lace paint color works with everything.
My kitchen and bathroom cabinets are all Chantily Lace by BM, with white based quartz countertops. What white wall paint colors? Very sunny bright roos with lots of windows and sliding glass doors
You can use ANY white paint with Chantilly Lace. It depends on what else is in terms of fabrics, art work etc. For example, to compliment blue tone fabric on the chairs you can use a white paint with blue undertone, but if you have warmer fabric you can use White Dove that is warmer.
I have Chantilily lace cabinets and trim. I am between alabaster and white dove, soft chamois or simply white for walls. What is your opinion. I have heart pine floors. Bright white quartz counters
Hi Marina. My community will be painting the exteriors of our homes beginning this Spring. I have selected Ben Moore White Dove for the stucco walls. I have been given only two colors to choose from for trim/front door/garage notably Chantilly Lace or Seapearl. I do not want the White Dove to look yellow. Which color should I choose?
Thanks in advance.
Hi Marri,
If you want true white you can’t go wrong with Chantilly Lace- its true white.
Good luck to you!
Marri,
You did not answer Marina’s question regarding the Whtie Dove looking ‘yellow’ with Chantilly Lace as trim.
Chantilly Lace is pure white, and White Dove is more creamy. Yes, I guess it can look yellowish under a certain light and depending what else is in the room. If you want to reduce yellow change light bulbs to 4000 Kelvin. That might help. If your bulbs are 2700K anything will look yellow because its very warm light. I hope it helps.
I have white dove trimthroughout my whole house. Which white would work well on the walls of my daughter’s room? We are looking for very soft and soothing. Thanks
ps- bedding is white with a blush pink euro pillows
My cupboards are chantilly lace, and countertops are Carrara granite. I get a lot of sun,My floors are oak with brown leather furniture. Any suggestions for wall and trim colour?
hello! i used chantilly lace in my office but i wished i read your article before choosing. it looks too cool against my warm finishes. it’s also north facing. I’m going to repaint over with a warmer/creamier white!
Hi! I want to use eggshell simply white on my walls. Should I be using satin chantilly lace on the trim? Or go simply white on all? I’m so confused!
What blues can I pair with Chantilly Lace? I’m looking for both deep/navy blue and light blue
If you are looking for navy try Symphony Blue by Benjamin Moore 2060-10 that will definitely go with Chantilly White to create a very crispy look. For light blue, I like November Skies 2128-50 or Soft Sky 807