Hi Jean! Calm is actually an off-white with a reasonable viole tundertone, which can make it tricky! Sometimes the best thing to do is the same color on the walls/trims, I would GREATLY HESITATE to go outside of that. I suppose you could look at BM Chantilly lace for the walls, but it coudl enhance the violet in Calm :).

Jeff, thank you so much for this! I’m SO not scientifically-minded, yet SUPER passionate about paint – THANK YOU!

I just bought my first home and stumbled across your blog while researching white paint options. I’ve been doing a deep dive in to your posts and it’s been so helpful. I would love know what the paint colors are from the thumbnail image on this post.

Also do you have any posts about coordinating paints colors with exotic hardwood floors?

Thank you,
Jennifer

Hey Shawna, I can’t answer ALL of your questions, but Chantilly ‘can’ be a bit ‘white white’ and Simply White can come up a touch yellow – both have their place, but when I’m looking at a WHOLE HOME white, it’s often SW Pure White that comes up as it often suits more interior hard finishes (ie. countertop).

As for the exterior, whites tend to look that BIT whiter, depending on how MUCH light you get, but generally – they’re pretty white. A lot of my clients are shifting to a slightly softer look, like BM White Dove (even Pure White is a bit soft too, creating a nice look). It really all depends on the AMOUNT of light you get as even an off-white could look QUITE BRIGHT!

Also….i am planning on painting the exterior of my house white as i love the beach cottage looks there too but i am wondering if the LRV matters on the exterior like it does the interior? Can you tell me if this rule still applies.
I was looking at either Pure White or Snowbound (this will be going over a taupe color house) but after reading your post i am not sure if the LRV matters for outdoors also so it’s not blinding vs beautiful. I have a South facing home and would love a little help before i make a HUGE expensive mistake. Help please! Thank you so much 😊

JENNY, this is such an awesome comment – THANK YOU! Yes, I know LRV is kind of MIND-boggling, but it’s like once you get it, you never look at paint colours the same AGAIN! And I’m glad you think I’m funny, I tell my husband and kids that I’m funny all the time and they’re like ‘ermmm, no’.

Ooooo, say no, that’s a GREAT idea!

Off the top, BM Collingwood, SW Big Chill, SW On the Rocks, SW Agreeable Gray – just a few to get you started!

Hi Kate, that’s Benjamin Moore MEtropolis 🙂

Well, you will notice a shift between the two! For a LOWER light area, I would lean towards Balboa because it is that bit lighter and softer :).

Oh Greer, I LOVE YOU – no one has ever asked that before! I’m actually writing a course right now and talk about this exact topic in it. The short story is that there IS no definitive line and is VERY OPEN to perception, which is why it’s SO HARD! For example, a lot of people look at a colour like BM Puritan Gray and see it as ‘gray with undertones’, but I’ve had clients find it not gray enough and see too much blue-green. For me, it’s about what’s the OVERTONE or MASS COLOUR – the one you automatically see first when you look at the walls. Again, open to perception, but if you just SEE BLUE, then it’s probably too colourful for you. However, if it could easily pass as gray, then you might be closer to the ‘gray with undertones range’.
Does that help AT ALL???? Any thoughts you have just holler as it just makes me think harder!

Hi Lorri! Yes, you should get the SAME LRV – same colour same LRV, but you might notice a slight shift in sheen as this can shift in a brand between their different levels of paint. This shift in sheen can make a colour look slightly lighter/darker :).

Interesting! I’ve never heard of them, but would be totally turned off using a company that wouldn’t disclose something as straightforward as LRV! Seems strange to me… 🙂

Anyways, have you considered reviewing colors from these companies? They are eco friendly, but are a little pricey.

Thanks!!

Hi Gillian, I’m so glad you found the info helpful, come back anytime!

Wait, I just realized that I do have a blog post on it! I have over 250 articles, so it’s easy for me to forget 😉 Here’s the link! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/a-contemporary-and-comfortable-new-home-in-nanaimo/

Hi Karen, thank you for your patience! In the last photo with my ad on it, that is Revere Pewter, but I will note that Revere Pewter rarely looks like that (gray-blue). In the one above it, which might be the one you’re referring to (before the images with the colour names on them, but no actual room photos), that is SW Repose Gray – the one with the beautiful accent chair and tile fireplace. You can see more of that room here…well hot damn, I just realized that while I’ve posted independent photos of this home, I didn’t do a blog post, wow! I’m going to do that…I’m also going to send you an email in the meantime with some photos, so you don’t have to wait!
~Kylie

I was feeling homesick after our move with not much natural light in our living room. The room was painted in tan and dark brown colors. I was looking for a paint that would brighten up my space and add a little color The SW BIG CHILL was everything and more. Can’t thank you enough for this post and shedding light on the matter 🙂

Hi Julie, I do try to give as much complimentary info on my blog as I can, and if that doesn’t work it might be time for me to check out your home via my E-design, this way I can look at your exposure/flooring/decor, etc…, otherwise I’m just guessing! It’s affordable and fun!~ https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie

Oooo Mary, that’s what I like to hear – thank you!

Hi Nancy! I believe that was Benjamin Moore Mountain Air CC 636

Hi Ashleigh – yup, if they do the colour match perfectly the LRV will be the same! For walls, I’m a fan of eggshell for the durability. there are some ‘okay’ mattes out there, but generally they aren’t as durable/washable 😉

Wow, what a lovely note to get – thank you! I’m so glad you found the info helpful, and now going forward you have some knowledge in your back pocket! And I know, magazines are so deceiving. Everything is so tweaked and edited to PERFECTION that it’s hard to apply to those of us in the real world!
~Kylie

Wahoo, that’s what I like to hear! Once you KNOW better you DO better! And there is always SOOOOO much to learn with paint colours 🙂

~Kylie

I’ve touched on it with clients, but no one’s jumped on it yet. In some rooms, my clients find it too cold blueish toned whereas in other rooms it gets some green mixed in there. There are just SO many beautiful grays that I find a lot of my clients want grays with less undertones than Silver Chain… 🙂 I love it though!