Hi Katrina, it depends on what you want! If you want to see the warmth of your walls, then yes, as Chantilly can help show that wink of yellow in Simply White.

Ooooo, I would be careful. Simply White is a brighter and CLEANER white than Pure White. This could make Pure White look a bit dingy in comparison and Simply White look more YELLOW in comparison.

Hi Alicia, I would definitely stick with warmer whites, along the lines of BM Simply White for a brighter look and BM White Dove or Cloud White for a softer look 🙂

Hi Kerri, you should read the blog post that I JUST PUT OUT as I talk about Baltic Brown right in it! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/how-to-update-your-older-granite-countertops/

I’m thinking of painting my oak kitchen cabinets BM Simply white, I have a Baltic brown granite countertop , terracotta floor tile and stainless steel appliances. Or would Chantilly Lace look better ? Thank you!

Hi Margaret! Ooo, I’m not as well-versed in F&B colours, but ‘generally speaking’ yellow and pink don’t love each other. I mean, there can be exceptions if it’s gone about in a gentle way, but it makes me darned nervous. I would say that if it’s less ‘yellow’ than Simply White – then that is a good thing, although the word Vanilla doesn’t leave me feeling hopeful on that…Looking at them both online, I DO like that they both seem that bit more muted and soft…

Hi Diane, I’m SO glad you asked – YES! I wouldn’t switch up whites as you’ll find the undertones can react in weird ways. You’ll get a wee shift just from the change in sheens from ceiling (flat), walls (matte or eggshell), trim (satin) and cabinets (satin). 🙂

Hi Kris! I would lean more into White Dove over Simply White just because the BOTH have warmth (yellow) in them, but White Dove is grounded with a neutral base. It can depend a lot on your countertop/backsplash/lighting as well, but of the 2, I’d hit White Dove AND I’d ask them to add 4-6 drops of white to each gallon, which just cleans it up a stitch AND improves coverage (and btw, you can paint oak cabinets any colour, but DARK colours can highlight the grain a bit more).

That’s a great idea Emily! This way you’ll see a wee subtle shift in the sheens – totally a good idea!

Hi Mari-Ann! Due to the number of emails I get every day, I have to pick ‘n choose which questions to answer, focusing first on the ones that have mass appeal! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look with my E-design. Otherwise, I’m just guessing as to the lighting in the room, exposure, flooring and all of the other things that matter when choosing a colour! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I hope to hear from you!

~Kylie

Thank you so much for your fabulous blog! OMG, I have learned so much and laughed a long the way. After 30 years we are finally redoing our kitchen and have decided to go with Simply White for our cabinet color, we live in Mukilteo WA and I didn’t want any grey undertones or a stark cold white since it is cold and grey here most of the year. I’m looking at Cambrian Black granite for our countertops, love the black/white contrast. Do you think the Simply White is a good choice with this granite?

Thank you so much!!
Mari

Well, there is a difference in sheen, which could account for that difference. Walls are usually flat/matte/eggshell, whereas cabinets are often a satin or semi-gloss. Sheen can lighten/brighten AND enhance a colour, so it sounds to me like the undertones might have come up a bit more. The only other reason is if you had it matched into another brand…they match MIGHT not be bang-on?

Hi Annie, White Dove could be pretty! I do have several articles on the Best White Paint Colours for both SW and BM. If those don’t help, I have an affordable and fun E-design service that I created for questions like yours! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie

My entire house is painted in “Agreeable Gray” and I’ve been wanting to paint our Master Bedroom and Guest Room in a soft white color- would you recommend Simply White or White Dove for this? I’ve been scared to do it b/c I didn’t want to accidentally choose a white that was too stark or coo and/or wouldn’t compliment the Agreeable Gray…

Thanks so much!!
Annie

Hi Bridgette! Chantilly Lace is a popular one! It is a fresh white that is often see as the most ‘white looking white’, even though it can have a slightly cool cast to it. The difference is that Simply White has a slightly WARM cast to it. I actually just wrote a blog post that you might find helpful re: whites… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/4-steps-pick-the-right-white-for-your-trim-cabinets-or-walls/

Finally figured out the colors for our new build: BM’s Shoreline, Pale Oak, Silver Mist, and SW Sea Salt.
Would the ceilings in Simply White work well? My only concern is the hallway area which can be a bit dark.
(Shoreline).

All of our trimwork is to be stained wood, medium color in tone. I do love this white!

Hi Courtney! Simply White could work well OR the softer look of White Dove, as long as your lighting is ‘half-decent’. As for textured walls, generally darker colours are better for camouflaging damage/texture, but that would kill the vibe you’re going for, so YOU’ll want to focus on SHEEN! The more sheen there is the more flaws you will see in the wall, so I’d recommend a high quality matte finish. 🙂

Hi Kylie, Thank you! And thanks for the speedy reply too! I will check out SW Creamy! Maybe you can clear up a bit about Simply White for me… Would a North Facing kitchen like I’ve described, be considered a low light/low energy room (?) where Simply White can fall flat? It is because of the kitchen’s distance from the windows? Is that what the graying out refers to, falling flat? If so, why is Simply White considered a good choice for a North Room? And since all light colors will fall flat in northern exposures, would stained kitchen cabinets be a better choice? Thanks again.! And wishing you a “Happy New Year”! Sheryl

Hi Sheryl! You know, it will gray out a bit in the day via your northern exposure, but that same grayish will be thrown onto any lighter colour. I can’t say that Cloud White or Alabaster will be THAT much better. You’d almost have to add some considerable warmth, like SW Creamy. It still gets grayed out, but perhaps not as much. I have Simply White and Creamy in north facing spaces in my own home and while Simply White is a bit brighter looking, Creamy holds its warmth just a bit better….

Hi Kylie!

Hope you had a fantastic holiday! I wanted to give you an update since I ended up going with Simply White based on this post. Using two coats on BM primer did make a big difference, it looks great after two coats of paint. Gorgeous color, my place looks 1000000000x brighter and happier (and that’s before I’ve got my art up!)!! Of course, now my white trim stands out and needs to be painted, but whatever — I’m just happy the pinky beige of sadness is gone. Thanks for your awesome advice, I’ll definitely be checking in for e-consulting for some of the other rooms in my home!

Hi Charlotte! If there’s ONE thing I know about white paint, it’s that it doesn’t cover well…at all. I did Simply White in my daughters room over a lighter blue/gray colour and 6 coats later I was losing my mind. My BEST advice is this…
#1 – ask them to add 4 ounces of white to the gallon. This white won’t affect the ‘colour’ but will give your paint more of a backbone so that it covers better
#2 – do a coat of primer

If I’d done that I’m SURE I would’ve saved myself a lot of grief – you live you learn!
~Kylie

Hi Kylie! I’m thinking of painting my NW-facing loft in Simply White….its current gross yellowy-beige makes me want to curl in a ball and cry! In terms of darkness (tho not prettiness), the current color is somewhere along the same lines as Benjamin Moore Shaker Beige . Do you think the Benjamin Moore High Hiding Primer in white would cut out the beige so I could get away with just 2 coats of paint? I know it’s impossible to give a concrete answer, this is just my first time painting with “good” paint (aka not the cheapest thing at Canadian Tire) and I’m not sure if that’s a good primer to use — do you have any thoughts on it? Thanks!!

Oh heck ya, I hear ya on that one! And don’t feel bad about your 3 coats, I had to do 6 in my daughters room – I was about to LOSE MY MIND (and even then, it’s questionable coverage)! The paint store (after the fact) said that adding 4 ounces of white to the can and doing 2 coats of quality primer prior to painting would have helped a lot. In general, whites can be tricky with regard to coverage. I had it colour matched into SW paint in the Opulence line. Next time I’m going to try it in BM Regal and see if I have better luck.
~Kylie