Deb and I have known each other for a long time and as a natural consequence of spending many hours together, jokes have developed and insinuated themselves into our lexicon as friends and business partners. For example, I have an abiding need to throw my body into every Chesterfield sofa I encounter and every few hours, without fail, I can be relied upon to announce, "I'm hungry," and we've got to remedy that real quick or I become almost inconsolable. Also, sometimes, we show up for an art opening or similar event wearing basically the same outfit.
Recently, we were on a job site in Silver Lake and I was trying to convince a client obsessed with green paint for his home (which was already a flat, rather dark sage green and had been for nearly a decade) that a version of white was an absolutely infallible option. I actually uttered the words "a yummy white" in the midst of my persuasive speech and in my peripheral vision, felt Deb throw me a look like, "what the hell are you talking about?" Because, 9 times out of 10, as Deb is fully aware, I'm pushing for a white wall. But now I'm using the word "yummy" to make it more tantalizing. A groan and eye roll is totally justified.
Yes, I love a white wall. I really, really do. I adore an accent wall in a bright, bold, surprising color. I admire dark, deep colors in small spaces. And I understand and honor the theory of paint color affecting your mood. But I really love white. Maybe it's because of all the art I think looks incredible against white, but it's my go-to paint color, no matter the space. My argument is that no white is exactly the same, as white, in the visual spectrum, actually reflects light and is a presence of all colors (it's science).
Some of our favorite whites pulled together as evidence - no white is exactly like any other.
Here are five CANNOT GO WRONG WHITES::
DECORATOR'S WHITE, CC-20 (BENJAMIN MOORE) ::
A clean, soft white that isn't too cool and isn't too warm, but always feels fresh and brings radiance to a room.
Designer Barbara Hill used flat Benjamin Moore’s Decorators White throughout this 1920s abode in Atlanta, Georgia. DWELL magazine; photo by Gregory Miller.
GREAT WHITE (FARROW AND BALL) ::
One of those mercurial whites, becoming pale yellow or pink or even lilac in hue, depending upon the time of day, the slant of light, or the furnishings in the space.
Farrow + Ball's "Great White" (from F+B site)
SWISS COFFEE (BENJAMIN MOORE) ::
This white is warm and creamy, elegant and peaceful. It's just plain ol' excellent. And not just because Veronica Mars digs it.
Kristin Bell, her dogs, and Benjamin Moore's "Swiss Coffee" on the walls, "Simply White" on the cabinets.
MASCARPONE (BENJAMIN MOORE) ::
True to its delicious namesake (you see why I started calling white paint colors "yummy"?), this is a velvety, smooth, ever-so-slightly golden white. We've used it in bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms, and bathrooms and it's equally awesome in each.
BM Mascarpone offset by a pop of orange in the home of a digital designer, using the high chroma colors of BM's 2016 Trends Palette .Image source: Copperline
PURE WHITE (SHERWIN WILLIAMS) ::
Bright and crisp, timeless white. Let's put it this way: it's part of the Pottery Barn 2016 Spring/Summer color collection. It works just as well on furniture as it does on walls and cabinets.
Pure White cabinets make for a happy and cheerful kitchen no?
Image source: Decorpad
Now, I KNOW you want to know if my "yummy white" speech was convincing for the aforementioned client slightly obsessed with sage green. Stay tuned. We'll share that news in future posts!
xx - Rebecca
