It’s the most, wonderful time…of the year. No, not Christmas – it’s COTY-TIME! That’s right; Autumn is when my fave brands, Benjamin Moore, Behr, and Sherwin Williams, spill the beans on their TOP color choices for the upcoming year.

And Benjamin Moore has hit it OUT of the park with this year’s choice. I’m so friggin’ pumped to share Benjamin Moore’s Color of the Year for 2024 with you, which is (insert drum roll)…

Why am I SO EXCITED?

Number one, I’ve put Bailey’s in my coffee as this is a BIG DAY in my colorful little world! Number two, Blue Nova is wicked pretty, and I’m so pumped they chose it. Given last year’s lackluster choice (which I didn’t even review, as nobody was going to use it), Blue Nova has my heart beating a thousand miles a minute (again, could be the Bailey’s and coffee).

When I consider my own colors of the year for 2024, as with previous years, they must satisfy a few important points…

• they don’t need to suit EVERYONE, but they need to have potential
• these colors should be useable on more than one surface
• they should get people EXCITED to paint! 

And whether Blue Nova is a color YOU love remains to be seen. But if you ask me, Blue Nova satisfies all three of the above and much more.

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS BLUE NOVA?

Blue Nova is a rich, striking shade of…PURPLE. That’s right, it’s a purple, but a shade with a more classic appeal. However, it’s one that’s pretty balanced with blue, making it a purple-blue. It’s not dark enough to be a navy or royal blue (thanks to its LRV) but has enough vavavoom to add interest to almost any paintable surface (which we’ll talk about shortly). 

However, just because a color says it’s a certain thing, doesn’t mean it LOOKS that way to you. If you ask me, Blue Nova is a shade of blue with a TON of purple in it, but I see the blue before the purple. How does it look to you?

And because blue is NEVER just blue, Blue Nova has undertones that must be considered before slapping it on any walls, cabinets, or doors. Blue Nova is a blue-purple blend. Does the purple take over? No, but it’s no wilting violet; it shows up to the party with tassels on. 

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S BLUE NOVA’S LRV?

Blue Nova is an alluring mid-tone shade of purple-blue paint color, which we know because of its LRV of 16.98. Some colors in this range can fall flat and dull if you have a dark room. Thanks to the degree of color (chroma) in Blue Nova, it shows up like a vision in a dark room, bringing energy and personality. 

I love Blue Nova so much that I have it on the accent wall in my guest bedroom at the lake house (darkened by 25%). The little bit of side wall you can see is Benjamin Moore White Dove…

This room is reasonably dark, as it’s on the bottom floor, underneath the upper deck – yet it still comes to LIFE with Blue Nova! 

If you have a well-lit space, Blue Nova will hold its depth quite well. Of course, ANY color will look lighter and brighter with light on it, but with this darker LRV, Blue Nova doesn’t fade away. 

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best Paint NUMBER for Your Home – 62

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING BLUE NOVA WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK paint samples are AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

Your peel & stick samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH BLUE NOVA?

Thanks to its depth and chroma, Blue Nova is super flexible with various shades of white. Here are a few of my faves…

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove

Before being the guest bedroom (shown earlier), our downstairs room lived life as a temporary bunk bed room…

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

6 Questions to Ask Before You Paint Your Cabinets White

IS BLUE NOVA A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

I’m not going to say no, but when it comes to choosing your home’s best exterior color, it depends on your roof, stonework, brick, and surroundings. Many of these hard finishes don’t love a color like Blue Nova. However, Blue Nova could be STUNNING if you have only a roof to consider and crisp white trim. 

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS BLUE NOVA A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

If you want reassurance that Blue Nova is a wicked color for your kitchen island – Heck yes! As an island paint color, Blue Nova makes just the right impact.

Where I might hesitate is in an ENTIRE kitchen. Don’t get me wrong; this badass beauty is stunning. It’s just…a lot. Sometimes, you can say MORE with less, and Blue Nova is one of those colors.

As for built-in cabinets, Blue Nova could look awesome. Again, built-ins are a more contained surface compared to an entire kitchen. The same goes for bathroom vanities. 

Now, I don’t always have the images I need, but I wanted to show you how Blue Nova looks on kitchen cabinets. So, I whipped up a computerized rendering for you to check out. (I also offer this service in my ONLINE PAINT COLOR CABINET CONSULTS!)

Again, this is a LOT of color, and you do you, boo, but I prefer a more modest approach on an island, built-ins, or bathroom vanity.

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

Here’s Benjamin Moore’s gorgeous image for it on built-ins in a home office – MAD LOVE…

WHERE CAN YOU USE A COLOR LIKE BLUE NOVA?

This is what I love about Blue Nova – it’s not a one-trick pony; it has a great depth of color for a wide variety of surfaces, including…

• kitchen island
• kitchen cabinets (full kitchen)
• bathroom vanity
• interior of the front door (or a main secondary door)
• exterior of the front door 
• accent wall in a luxurious matte finish (I love Aura paint)
• entire room
• exterior
• painted furniture (satin or pearl finish)

I don’t see Blue Nova gaining as much traction in a large living room or open-concept space. Being a more powerful color, it’s better on a smaller scale. However, not small AND dark like some hallways. 

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO BLUE NOVA?

Of course, nothing compares, but colors with similar intentions include…

• Benjamin Moore Blue Heron, which is a bit less blue/more gray
• Benjamin Moore Yin Yang, which is like a lighter version of Blue Nova
• Sherwin Williams Luxe Blue, which is a bit darker and can look sliiiightly more blue-violet
• Sherwin Williams Denim, which is a bit darker and bluer than Blue Nova (and darn pretty, too)

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH BLUE NOVA?

Blue Nova has a reasonable range of color pairings. For the average home, a color palette including Blue Nova will have colors similar in chroma and mood and lighter, more gentle shades. However, it’s not as suited to earth tones, so any attempt at neutral should have some good life to it…

NEUTRAL & CALM SHADES THAT GO WITH BLUE NOVA

• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Misty Blue, a light version of Blue Nova
• Benjamin Moore Mayonnaise, a white-cream blend
• Benjamin Moore Windham Cream, a fusion of cream and yellow
• Benjamin Moore Bunny Gray, a slightly fresh gray with a blue hue (blue-violet)

MORE COLORFUL SHADES THAT GO WITH BLUE NOVA IN A PALETTE

• Benjamin Moore Willow Grove, a green that meets head-to-head with Blue Nova
• Benjamin Moore Forest Valley Green is a softer approach to a more colorful shade of green (green-blue)
• Crimson for a splash of muted red-orange
• Benjamin Moore Stunning is a darker shade of Blue Nova
• Sweet Vibrations, a fun shade of chartreuse

READ MORE

The Best MEDIUM Blue Paint Colors

The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore October Mist: Color of the Year 2022

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best Warm Gray Paint Colors 

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post BLUE NOVA COLOR REVIEW: Benjamin Moore’s 2024 Color of the Year appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Every fall, it’s exciting to see the launch of each brand’s COTY. We’ve heard from Behr (Cracked Pepper), and Sherwin Williams HGTV Home (Persimmon), and I was SUPER anxious to see what Sherwin Williams chose as their go-to shade.

Would it be better than last year’s wet hot dog, Redend Point? Would it BEAT the ever-awesome 2022 color, Evergreen Fog (which my clients are still pining over – get it?)

Yes…and no.

Sherwin Williams Upward is a gorgeous color, don’t get me wrong. It’s 100x better than Redend Point’s appeal and general useability in the average home. Will it be as popular as Evergreen Fog? Heck no (no color has beaten it yet).

But this doesn’t mean it doesn’t deserve its time in the spotlight, so let’s check it out…

WHAT COLOR IS UPWARD? GRAY OR BLUE?

Upward is a beautiful shade of blue. It is more calming than baby blue (and too gray to be in that world), without being as overbearing as Caribbean blue. With a tranquil approach, Upward is Sherwin William’s LIGHT approach to denim.

IS UPWARD A WARM OR COOL COLOR?

When it comes to the visual temperature of a color like this, it’s all about perception. PERSONALLY, it looks like a cold shade of blue. To others, via its undertones, Upwards is a warm shade of blue (which it ‘technically) is.

However, no matter how you see it, Upward will look like a cool blue paint color if you have a north-facing room. Upward is awesome for warm, south-facing rooms and those with western afternoon sunshine.

Why?

These exposures are WARM as a yellow-tinged light enters the room (going more orange, and eventually red as the afternoon western sun progresses). A cool paint color like Upward is a great way to add visual balance to a room with a warm exposure.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S UPWARD’S LRV?

Upward has an LRV of 57. This is slightly lower than the average light depth LRV (read about it here), putting Upward a bit closer to the light-medium depths.

This means Upwards isn’t a ‘cheerful’ shade of blue; it’s a grounding, calming color with a bit more meat on its bones.

If you have a dark room, the degree of COLOR in Upward is great, as it can help combat a lower, flatter light. If your room is overly bright, Upward’s slightly lower LRV will help it not wash out too much (whereas lighter colors with less color can lose much of their beauty).

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room

NEED HELP? 

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting services – let me make it easy for you! 

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES UPWARD HAVE?

Not all blues are created equal! Upward is a blue with a violet undertone and a decent, but not overbearing gray. The gray is what gives Upward a slightly calmer, less cheerful approach.

How to Choose the Best Shade of Blue for You

As for the violet, it’s tricky, as interior finishes often cater to blue-green over blue-violet – it’s not as easy to accommodate in the average home. This isn’t to say it won’t work in YOURS, but make sure its undertones suit your surroundings.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING UPWARD WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK paint samples are AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

Your peel & stick samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF UPWARD

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH UPWARD?

Upward is so fun to partner up with varying shades of white for trims and cabinets. In particular, I suggest…

• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

The 9 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams DESIGNER COLLECTION

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS UPWARD A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

In general, no. While there will be the odd exception, being a lighter blue-violet shade, Upward won’t partner up well with most stones, bricks, and asphalt roofs.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS UPWARD A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

While Upward could be beautiful on kitchen cabinets or an island, most interior finishes cater toward a more GRAY gray-blue or a blue with a green undertone. If you have marble finishes, SOME marbles could suit Upward. Upward could also work if you have white quartz countertops, white subway tile backsplash, and wood floors, as it wouldn’t need to coordinate with any major undertones.

A darker blue with a wink o’ green is a more popular choice on kitchen cabinets

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO UPWARD?

If you want to compare similar colors within Sherwin Williams or find the CLOSEST match in Benjamin Moore, check out…

• Sherwin Williams Sleepy Blue (which is blue-green vs. Upward’s blue-violet)
• Sherwin Williams Icy (less gray, more colorful than Upward)
• Sherwin Williams Lakeside (similar, but smokier/grayer)
• Benjamin More Manor Blue (similar, but grayer than Upward)
• Benjamin Moore Sunrise (similar, but less gray/more colorful)

As for a lighter shade of Upward, you’ll find that with Sherwin Williams Icicle. If you want a darker version, check out Sherwin Williams Windy Blue.

As for a more popular approach (not to say this is what YOU want), a color like Benjamin Moore Woodlawn Blue suits more homes and finishes…

WHERE DOES A BLUE LIKE UPWARD LOOK BEST?

Being a lighter color with a bit more COLOR than not, Upward will have limited uses. Upward is best on a single-room basis. It’s too colorful for multiple joined rooms or a ‘whole home‘ approach. It’s not flexible enough for the average cabinet, island, or vanity, and I don’t expect to see it on ANY front doors or exteriors.

However, if you’re looking for a stunning blue for your powder room, guest bedroom, or office, Upward could hit the spot!

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH UPWARD?

Because of Upward’s degree of color (chroma), it’s a bit fussy when it comes to neutrals. Upward likes neutral partners, such as grays, that are a bit cleaner vs. those that are muddy or earth-toned.

For example…

• When choosing a gray to go with Upward, it will prefer the cleaner look of Sherwin Williams Site White over Big Chill or Repose Gray.
• If you want to partner Upward with a shade of beige or tan, focus on beiges like Sherwin Williams Moderate White. Upward won’t like more modern, dusky, or muted beige paint colors.
• Upward loves cream paint colors that have a bit more color to them. Sherwin Williams Crisp Linen and other slightly cleaner shades of cream are beautiful with it.
• Upward generally won’t love grays with green undertones (green-yellow or noticeable green-blue).
• Naturally, Upward looks fab with darker shades of blue – especially those that cater to blue-violet.

READ MORE

The 13 Best Blue & Green Blend Paint Colors

The 10 Best Blue-Gray Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS UPWARD 6239: Color Review (2024 Color of the Year) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

With trends leaning away from white-on-white palettes, I’m getting many more requests for off-white paint colors. And while I haven’t done a ton of work with this bad boy, he has the potential to be a GREAT shade for your walls, cabinets, trims, or even exterior!

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. Some Pinterest images have been over-edited or aren’t even the color they’re said to be – this won’t happen here. I also don’t take photos from other Designer’s sites. 

IS ORIGAMI WHITE A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

While Sherwin Williams states that Origami White is a ‘delicate white with cool violet undertones’ – it’s not. It’s not white, and its undertones aren’t cold. Origami White is a WARM off-white paint color.

IS ORIGAMI WHITE A GRAY PAINT COLOR?

Origami White has a bit of gray in it, calming it down, but it’s not a traditional gray paint color – it’s not cool enough for that. At best, Origami White is a considerably WARM shade of gray. And while scientifically, it’s in the yellow family, you’ll be hard-pressed to see much yellow in this bad boy.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S ORIGAMI WHITE’S LRV?

LRV is one of the most IMPORTANT details about a paint color; I’m so glad you asked! Origami White has an LRV of 76, which means it’s an off-white paint color. The white range starts closer to 81/82, which means that Origami White isn’t even TRYING to be white.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

LET ME PICK YOUR PAINT COLORS FOR YOU!

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting services – let me make it easy for you! 

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES ORIGAMI WHITE HAVE?

Origami White is a tricky one. With a reasonably low chroma, Origami White has little to no noticeable undertones – no obvious violet, pink, green, blue, orange, or yellow – wahoo! However, this means it will be very susceptible to picking up/reflecting colors from its environment, so be careful what you partner it with!

Because of this and its passive warmth, Origami White offers a smooth take on warm neutral. Not creamy-yellow, not cold gray, yet not committed to the violet of taupe or green of greige. It’s more that it’s a gentle approach to warmth with MINIMAL commitment to undertone.

When sampling colors, putting some white paper next to them is SUPER important, especially with off-whites. If you don’t, an off-white like Origami White can ‘look white’ just because it’s one of the lighter colors in the area…

Take a good look at the above photo and get a good feel for Origami White.

NOW, consider how different your PERCEPTION of Origami White might be with some white next to it…

The best way to get a read on a color ninja-like Origami White is to compare it to other colors. These colors don’t need to be SUPER similar; they just need a comparable LRV, for example…

• Origami White vs Sherwin Williams White Heron: White Heron and its interesting cream-taupe blend, shows how much grayer and NOT creamy Origami White is in comparison. Not to say Origami White can’t pick up a wink, but it’s far less inclined than other shades.
• Sherwin Williams Pure White vs. Origami White: Even though Pure White is a soft white (not a bright one), it shows how much depth Origami White is and how subtle its warmth is. A comparison like this shows the off-white LRV of Origami White and the type of contrast you might like to see between the wall and the trim.
• Sherwin Williams Eider White vs. Origami White. Ooof, whoever said that Origami White has cool violet undertones should compare it with Eider White. Even then, Eider White has a WARM gray-violet hue to it, showing how subtle, warm, and muted Origami White is in comparison.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING ORIGAMI WHITE WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK paint samples are more affordable, easier, and environmentally friendly than traditional paint pots.

Your peel & stick samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE of ORIGAMI WHITE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH ORIGAMI WHITE?

Being a super gentle, neutral, off-white paint color, it’s pretty fussy about its white partners. Origami White prefers muted whites without too much cream in them and whites that AREN’T cold. This includes…

• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

The 9 Best White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams DESIGNER COLLECTION

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS ORIGAMI WHITE A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

With its high LRV, Origami White is hit-and-miss. If you want to SEE some color/depth on your home, it won’t give you much. You’ll definitely want to partner it with a super white trim to get as much contrast as possible. The more contrast you have between your siding and your white trim, the more you’ll see the depth/color of Origami White.

On the other hand, if you’re going for a subtle, muted look, you might paint your trim and siding the same color, giving a more simple, monotone look.

Long story short, YES, Origami White can be a great exterior color, as it works with a wide range of asphalt roofs, stone, and brick.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS ORIGAMI WHITE A GOOD OFF-WHITE COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

Origami White could be a gorgeous off-white for cabinets if you want a SUPER muted look. HOWEVER, I personally lean into either white cabinets or colors with just a BIT more depth to them, like Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray and Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.

Here’s Origami White on painted kitchen cabinets with Iron Ore on the island…

This next kitchen is a great blend of cabinet colors, with Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace on the main cabinets, and Agreeable Gray on the island, board and batten, and painted trim…

Why?

If you have white trim nearby, the white of your trim could have your Origami White cabinets looking a bit dingy in comparison, as they don’t really COMMIT to any kind of real depth/color.

The Best OFF-WHITE & LIGHT Depth Cabinet Colors

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO ORIGAMI WHITE?

• Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White vs. Origami White: Aesthetic White is a touch darker and more beige compared to Origami White
• Sherwin Williams Origami White vs. Snowbound: You’re really comparing apples to oranges. Snowbound is a soft WHITE with gray-violet-pink undertones, whereas Origami White is off-white, so it has more depth and a warmer foundation.
• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray vs. Origami White: These two colors are very comparable. Classic Gray is slightly lighter than Origami White, but both are off-white. Classic Gray also pops a bit more undertone compared to Origami White.

Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White on the bedroom walls

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH ORIGAMI WHITE?

Origami White is a super muted, warm, off-white paint color with a few great color palette partners…

• light and medium tones of green-gray (with blue undertones), such as Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray
• light-medium and darker shades of greige with slightly more noticeable green undertones, like Sherwin Williams Jogging Path
• some muted light taupe and greige paint colors
• it doesn’t LOVE beige or cream paint colors

READ MORE

The 6 Best Off-White Paint Colors

The Best Off-White & Light Depth Paint Colors for CABINETS

Kylie Ms COLORS OF THE YEAR for 2024

A Cathedral-Style Kitchen Update

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Sherwin Williams ORIGAMI WHITE 7636: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to the gray paint colors, Sherwin Williams has ALL the bases covered – light, dark, warm, cool, and WAY more than 50 shades of it to boot.

However, MORE doesn’t necessarily make your job easier. It’s like going to the liquor store and seeing wines from EVERY FRIGGIN COUNTRY – how’s a girl to CHOOSE? Just give me the most POPULAR one and a straw, and I’ll be a happy lil Ginger. I’m just joking; I’ll take a funnel instead #savetheturtles.

So, to make YOUR life easier, I’m here to break down Sherwin William’s best gray paint colors based on my Online Paint Colour Consulting services – THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN!

And BTW, with home design and paint colour trends shifting WARMER, you might be surprised to see a blog post dedicated to gray – don’t be. While paint colour matters a lot for RESALE, when it comes to loving your home, it’s about choosing colors you LOVE to live in. And if these colors happen to be gray – REGARDLESS OF TRENDS, you need to fill your lil gray boots!

THE BEST LIGHT, WARM GRAY PAINT COLOURS

Because it’s the most popular depth in the gray world, we’re starting at the LIGHT end of things…

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS REPOSE GRAY 7015

Repose Gray has an LRV of 58, so it’s a bit darker than my magical LRV number of 62, giving it a bit more visual weight than the average light-depth gray paint colour. And while it does have a VERY subtle violet undertone, it can also pick up a wink of green or EVEN blue.

While Repose Gray might be popular with all y’all, PERSONALLY, it’s not my fave.

Why?

Well, I find it a bit unpredictable with its undertones and a touch too heavy – but it’s not ALL about me (not all of the time, anyway), and obviously, MANY disagree!

Be sure to check out its FULL colour review to learn more (but finish this blog post first, there’s more to come!).

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

YOUTUBE COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS COLONNADE GRAY 7641

Close on the heels of Revere Pewter is Colonnade Gray, and that’s because they are QUITE similar to each other, both in LRV and undertones.

Colonnade Gray has an LRV of 53, so it has a touch more depth than Revere Pewter. Another difference, although it’s a subtle one, is that Colonnade Gray is a BIT grayer and flashes a touch less green.

Depending on your exposure and interior finishes, this more passive approach to a green undertone makes it slightly more likely to grab a wink of violet or blue.

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray

YOUTUBE COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS CITY LOFT 7631

With its extra wink of warmth, City Loft is sitting on the edge of warm gray and taupe. And being a slight taupe means City Loft has a gentle violet (sliiightly violet-pink) undertone.

This soft shade is a gentler approach to gray than the previous options. With an LRV 70, City Loft hovers between the off-white and light-depth paint worlds.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams City Loft

4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY 7029

I just HAD to sneak this one in – I couldn’t help myself! Agreeable Gray is REALLY more of a greige-taupe. However, it’s a greige that leans PRETTY HARD into gray, especially if you have north-facing light. And HOT DAMN, is it ever popular!

How to Update Wood Trims

Agreeable Gray has undertones that are more flexible than a 10-year-old gymnast, making it a BIT unpredictable (somewhat like myself and Repose Gray), but THESE undertones tend to be FAR more passive, making it an awesome option in my books.

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

YOUTUBE COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

5. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALPACA 7022

Alpaca isn’t one I use as often in my Online Color Consulting. This warm gray works for some spaces, but its increased violet undertones can be a bit much if you’re sensitive to these undertones. However, some finishes, including countertops and tiles, demand this extra hit of violet, so check it out carefully.

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Alpaca

6. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GOSSAMER VEIL 9165

Gossamer Veil is a muted, foggy shade of warm gray. With its subtle warmth, could Gossamer Veil pass as a greige? In some rooms, yes.

As for undertones, Gossamer Veil has a warm, earthy green undertone. However, while it WILL show up to the party, it’s more like a whisper than a full-color commitment.

This next photo shows three of the colors listed in this blog post, including Colonnade Gray…

Keep in mind that how a color looks in DIRECT natural light like this differs from how it looks in indirect light…

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil

7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS DRIFT OF MIST 9166

Drift of Mist is like the lighter version of Gossamer Veil. With a similar earthy, warm green undertone, Drift of Mist is a warm gray that COULD pass as a greige in some lights but tends to stay as a subtle warm gray. These two differ because Drift of Mist is lighter, with an LRV of 69, whereas Gossamer Veil’s LRV is 62 (right on my magic number!).

NEED HELP? Check out my ONLINE PAINT COLOR CONSULTING

8. SHERWIN WILLIAMS DORIAN GRAY7017

With its LRV of 39, Dorian Gray sits on the HIGH side of the medium range. So, while it’s not as light as the previous options, it’s still a contender for well-lit rooms.

But, just like Repose Gray, Dorian Gray can shift its undertones. Sample it CAREFULLY to make sure it does what you want it to.

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray

9. SHERWIN WILLIAMS MINDFUL GRAY 7016

When I’m looking for a soft, moody, warm gray, the FIRST color that comes to mind is Mindful Gray. With an LRV of 48, Mindful Gray is in the light-medium depths, so it has a bit more visual weight than its lighter version, Repose Gray. However, it’s JUST as sneaky with its unpredictable undertones of green and violet, so sample carefully!

Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray FULL Paint Color Review

10. SHERWIN WILLIAMS EGRET WHITE 7570

Egret White is one of my FAVORITE hybrid colors, hovering between the warm gray and the taupe worlds (catering a bit more to taupe). With some of the most SUBTLE undertones, Egret White is becoming more popular as trends shift warmer.

Sherwin Williams Egret White Paint Color Review

But we’re not done yet! As a bonus, I’m including FOUR of Sherwin’s best DARK, warm shades of gray…

THE MOST POPULAR MEDIUM & DARK, WARM GRAY PAINT COLORS

Once we hit the darker end of warm gray, we start running low on options.

Why?

Well, as these colors get darker, many of them pick up an extra hit of violet, green, or brown, taking them away from their original purpose – warm gray.

However, I do have a few hues that could work for you!

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS DOVETAIL 7018

Not ALL popular gray paint colors are light and soft! In fact, grays with more depth are SUPER popular regarding kitchen cabinets, front doors, exteriors, and feature walls, which is where Dovetail comes into play.

Dovetail is a SOLID medium-depth warm gray with VERY minimal undertones. While it can slightly nod at green or violet, even that’s an overstatement. You’ll also find that Dovetail’s LRV of 26 makes it hold up better in super bright rooms as well as on exteriors.

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Wiliams Dovetail

YOUTUBE COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Dovetail 

SAMPLIZE peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location.
• They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling.

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS GAUNTLET GRAY 7019

When it comes to dark, warm gray paint colors, it’s hard to beat Gauntlet Gray. While others go a bit too warm and dabble in the greige-green range (Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze, which is TOTALLY badass, but anyways), and others flash green (Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray) – Gauntlet Gray hits it RIGHT on the mommy-daddy button.

FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray

YOUTUBE COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACIER 9170

Being a lighter version of Dovetail, Acier has similar tendencies. HOWEVER, whereas Dovetail holds its undertones closer to its chest, Acier is a warm gray that’s slightly likelier to flash a wink of green at you.

Sherwin Williams Acier trim

4. SHERWIN WILLIAMS MINK 6004

Mink is a BEAUTIFUL rich shade of warm gray – so rich that it could ALMOST pass as a taupe. This is because Mink has an extra bit of brown and an earthy violet undertone.

5 Steps to Picking Your Home’s Best Exterior Paint Color

And there are WAAAAY more grays out there – especially once we hit the COOL end of the gray world – but I have a WHOLE different blog post for those bad boys! In the meantime, check out these helpful articles…

READ MORE

The 12 Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best WARM GRAY Paint Colors

The Best DARK Gray Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

The Best DARK Greige & Taupe Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore

5 Ideas to Update Your 1990s Home

4 Ideas to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Virtual Paint Colour Consulting packages!

Chat soon,

The post The Top 10 Warm Gray Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When choosing the best white paint color for your walls, cabinets, trims, or exterior, COMPARISON is the most important part of your color-picking journey!

Why?

Comparing similar colors helps you see…

• shifts in UNDERTONE
• changes in TEMPERATURE
• differences in DEPTH (did you know there are 5 types of white!)
• which white best suits your home’s finishes, including countertop, tile, existing colors, etc…

Comparing whites is where I lean into my obsession with Samplize Peel & Stick. Sampling paint colors with wee paper squares from the paint store is like sampling wine from a thimble. It barely wets your whistle, and you often purchase an expensive bottle of wine that you don’t even like (but will drink anyway). The same can happen with paint – you buy that expensive gallon and paint your little heart out, only to see it’s the wrong color.

COMPARE, COMPARE, COMPARE!

Sherwin Williams Pure White in a south-facing room

Undoubtedly, you’ve come across Sherwin Williams Pure White in your sampling adventures as it’s one of the best. However, you won’t know it’s the best shade for your project until you COMPARE it to the other top whites. In fact, you might even end up changing your mind and finding a better option!

But before we start, when finding your best white, you must understand the basics of LRV (I am a bossy lil thang). Here’s the meat n’ potatoes of it… (if you want gravy & butter, that’s HERE).

EVERY paint color has an LRV number on a scale of 0-100. 0 is black, and 100 is white. This number tells you how light or dark a paint color is. This matters a LOT with white, seeing as there are 5 types to choose between.

Never choose a white paint color without knowing and understanding its LRV – says me.

The LRV of white paint colors that are useable in your home ranges from approx. 81-94. Intrigued? You should be; it will rock your paint-pickin’ world – read about it HERE.

Sherwin Williams Pure White walls, trims, doors, & ceilings

This is an INFO-HEAVY blog post, giving you the deets you need with less muss n’ fuss. If you’re just here for the pretty pictures (I feel you), check out each color’s FULL COLOR REVIEW (links throughout). 

1. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE vs. BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE

Pure White and White Dove are two of the TOP whites I recommend in my Online Paint Color Consulting.

Why?

Many homes suit SOFT whites over bright whites. From there, it’s a matter of how much warmth is needed. Some homes need a SUBTLE warmth, which is what you find in Pure White and White Dove.

HOW ARE PURE WHITE & WHITE DOVE SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

• Which is whiter? Pure White has an LRV of 84. White Dove’s LRV is 83.16. Pure White is WHITER and brighter than White Dove (only by a wee wink), making them both SOFT whites.
• Which white is WARMER? White Dove is WARMER than Pure White, giving it a slightly creamier look, although it’s still not the warmest white by any stretch of the imagination.
• White Dove is best for north-facing rooms as its warmth can add balance. Pure White can look good, but don’t expect it to add much balance or coziness.
• Pure White is more popular for south-facing rooms than White Dove. South-facing rooms have warm light, and some people find White Dove leans a bit TOO warm in this light.
• Tuscan-style homes (travertine, beige finishes, etc…) can look good with the subtle warmth of White Dove, whereas Pure White isn’t always warm enough.
• They’re both EQUALLY as flexible, but there are situations where one is a better choice. For example, Pure White is often a better choice with today’s popular white quartz countertops, whereas White Dove is sometimes a BIT too warm. On the other hand, White Dove is often better suited to softer, muted earth tones than Pure White.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of White Dove

Benjamin Moore Ballet White walls, White Dove trim, and wainscoting

KYLIE M’S FAVE

My FAVE white has to be Pinot Gris. Oh, wait, different topic (we all have our vices – mine include wine, white paint, and white sneakers). I can’t even decide between these two as it depends on the use. I mean, that applies to ANY white, but I interchange these two so often. PERSONALLY, my fave is Benjamin Moore White Dove. For my average client? Proooobably Pure White.

PHOTOS & INFO: Full Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove

2. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE vs. ALABASTER

Pure White and Alabaster are rarely in contention for the same project. While they’re both soft whites, Alabaster has a much more noticeable warmth than Pure White’s passive approach.

Please remember, your computer screen can skew how these colors look; they look DIFFERENT in real life! 

HOW ARE PURE WHITE & ALABASTER SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

• Which is the whitest? Pure White and Alabaster are both SOFT WHITES; however, with its LRV of 82, Alabaster is softer (darker) and borders on the off-white range. Pure White is definitely a white, not an off-white, because of its LRV of 84.
• Which is the warmest? Alabaster is WARMER than Pure White with its creamy backdrop.
• Alabaster is a popular shade of white for many of the older-style granite countertops, whereas Pure White CAN be a bit too white for some. Pure White is more often used for today’s trendy white quartz countertops.
• In south-facing rooms or those with western afternoon sun, Alabaster can look even warmer/creamier. And while Pure White will also pick up some warmth, it’s not as strong as Alabaster. Pure White is usually better for southern spaces (read about exposures HERE).
• As for northern light, Alabaster is one of the best whites as its softer, creamier approach adds some warmth to a space that can otherwise be a titbit nippy!
• If you have a Tuscan-style home (travertine tile and beige tones), Alabaster is often a good shade to try. Pure White isn’t always warm enough.
• Alabaster is LESS likely to suit finishes such as marble and many of today’s popular white quartz countertops.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Alabaster

Sherwin Williams Alabaster walls

KYLIE M’S FAVE

Between Pure White and Alabaster, it has to be Pure White. Sure, Alabaster has its place, but Pure White has WAY more flexibility for the average home due to its decreased warmth. DON’T SHOOT THE MESSENGER; if Alabaster is your white and it’s working, that’s all that matters!

PHOTOS & INFO: Full Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Alabaster

3. PURE WHITE vs. EXTRA WHITE

While Extra White is a bit brighter/whiter than Pure White, they both have very (very) subtle approaches to warmth (especially Extra White). Of the two, Pure White has a more noticeable warmth without being creamy.

IN WHAT WAYS ARE PURE WHITE & EXTRA WHITE SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

• Which is whiter? Extra White’s LRV is 86, making it WHITER than Pure White’s 84.
• Which is warmer? Pure White is WARMER than Extra White, although neither is exceptionally warm (Extra White is only fractionally so).
• Extra White and Pure White often compete for the same spot regarding cabinets and trims. Pure White wins for walls and exteriors.
• Of the two, Extra White is MORE likely to act like a ‘true white’ but is less likely to suit warm interior finishes.
• In north-facing light, Extra White can look a bit ICY COLD (Elsa is a HUGE fan). Pure White won’t add much warmth, but it’s definitely a softer, less stark approach.
• Pure White is more likely to suit today’s popular white quartz countertops than Extra White.
• If you have south-facing light or a room with warm afternoon western sunshine, Extra White and Pure White are both nice choices. Both will look warmer/more yellow in south-facing or afternoon western sunshine. Both will fall flat in the morning western light.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Extra White

Sherwin Williams Extra White

KYLIE M’S FAVE WHITE

It’s not even a competition. Pure White – almost every time. I like its passive warmth and its flexibility. Sure, Extra White is flexible, too, but NOTHING like my Pure White.

PHOTOS & INFO: Full Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Extra White

4. PURE WHITE vs. CHEVIOT

Being the new kid on the block, there isn’t much info on Cheviot. And while I covered it in a mass-color review, it deserves a spot in the limelight (without the green undertone – get it?).

I love comparing Pure White and Cheviot, as previously, Sherwin Williams didn’t have a GREAT color in this particular LRV. That’s right; Cheviot comes in lighter and brighter than Pure White.

SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PURE WHITE & CHEVIOT

• Which is the whitest white? While Simply White (coming next) and Cheviot are VERY comparable, Pure White and Cheviot vary in their LRVs,  84 and 89 (respectively). This makes Cheviot a BRIGHTER white.
• Which one is warmer? Cheviot is WARMER than Pure White, although, with its increased brightness, this isn’t always as noticeable as it would be in a softer white like Alabaster.
• Cheviot has a slightly more noticeable yellow undertone, but its approach is still VERY muted.
• If Pure White isn’t warm enough and Alabaster is too dark/creamy, Cheviot can be a nice shift into a brighter but still warm white.
• While Pure White is likely the better choice with today’s popular white quartz or marble-look countertops, Cheviot could suit a few.
• Cheviot could be pretty with a Tuscan-style home with warm-toned finishes. Pure White might not be warm enough.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Cheviot

KYLIE M’S FAVE SHADE

Oooo, this is a hard one (that’s what she said). Cheviot could be a big deal if it were available in Sherwin William’s more affordable lines AND if they had easy-to-get paint chips in the store. Right now, the only way to see this color is to get a gallon (yes, a FULL GALLON) or a Peel & Stick sample from Samplize.

The Top 9 White Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Emerald Edition

5. PURE WHITE vs. SIMPLY WHITE

Pure White & Simply White are both popular shades but tend to suit slightly different projects. While both are WARM whites, Simply White has a noticeable yellow undertone and a higher LRV, meaning it’s whiter/brighter.

HOW ARE PURE WHITE & SIMPLY WHITE SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

• Which is the whitest? While Simply White and Cheviot are quite comparable, Simply White and Pure White are different types of white. Simply White’s LRV is 89.52, to Pure White’s 84, making Simply White a BRIGHTER white.
• Which is the warmest of the two? Simply White is WARMER than Pure White, as it has a more noticeable yellow undertone compared to the passive nature of Pure White.
• These two colors often compete to be on trim work and cabinets.
• Pure White is slightly more flexible than Simply White due to its decreased warmth.
• Simply White is a popular shade for Tuscan-style homes with warm-toned finishes (but it can sometimes be a stitch yellow). Often, Pure White isn’t quite warm enough (but it never hurts to try).

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Simply White

Sherwin Williams White Duck walls, Simply White fireplace surround & trim

KYLIE M’S FAVE WHITE

I love Simply White; it’s a classic. However, Pure White is often a safer and softer bet with its decreased yellow undertone and slightly softer approach. It really just comes down to what best suits your finishes.

PHOTOS & INFO: Benjamin Moore Simply White FULL Paint Color Review

NEED HELP? Check out my ONLINE COLOR CONSULTING PACKAGES – let me make it easy for you! 

6. PURE WHITE vs. CLOUD WHITE

If you compare Pure White and Cloud White, there should be a clear winner. Cloud White is a warmer, creamier white than Pure White. And while Pure White is warm, it’s fractional in comparison. Where they’re the MOST similar is in depth, which you’ll learn about next!

SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THESE TWO SHADES

• Which is whiter? Pure White has an LRV of 84, and Cloud White’s LRV is 85.05, making them VERY similar in depth! This means both whites are SOFT whites.
• Which is warmer? Cloud White has a much more noticeable creamy warmth than Pure White, which can seem a bit dingy in comparison. (This doesn’t make it bad, though; it’s just less yellow!)
• Pure White is a FAR superior choice with most white quartz countertops. Cloud White is popular with some of the older-style granite and laminate countertops.
• Cloud White is best for north-facing rooms, where the light is cooler/grayer. Cloud White will look warmer and creamier in south or west-facing rooms, so make sure you love a yellow undertone (personally, it goes too creamy yellow for me). Pure White doesn’t have much warmth in north-facing rooms, but it depends on what you like (I personally like to see more warmth, i.e., White Dove). On the other hand, Pure White offers a nice balance to south-facing or western light without going as creamy as Cloud White.

North, East, South, West, Which Paint Colors is The Best?

• Cloud White is often the best white for a Tuscan-style home with warm-toned finishes (but it can sometimes be a stitch yellow). Pure White is often not warm enough.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Cloud White

Benjamin Moore Cloud White walls & trim

KYLIE M’S FAVE WHITE

Cloud White has been kickin’ it longer than Messi (for you soccer fans). However, I can’t say it’s been quite as successful, as it’s often a bit too yellow for the average interior finish. This is why, of these two popular shades, Pure White is ma boo.

PHOTOS & INFO: Benjamin Moore Cloud White Paint Color Review

7. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE vs. SNOWBOUND

Pure White and Snowbound are similar in depth, with only a point difference. Where they differ is in undertones and intentions.

HOW ARE PURE WHITE & SNOWBOUND SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

When comparing Pure White and Snowbound, you’re comparing apples to oranges. Sure, they have a similar shape, but BOY, do they taste different!

• Which is whiter? Pure White’s LRV of 84 is darn close to Snowbound’s slightly lower LRV of 83. This makes Pure White BRIGHTER than Snowbound.
• Which is warmer? Pure White is warmer, with a passive undertone; Snowbound has a warm gray and violet touch. However, in some lights, I’ve seen it flash violet-pink and even a wink creamy (check it out in its Color Review).
• I often recommend Pure White as a whole home color (cabinets/walls/trims/ceilings/doors). I NEVER recommend Snowbound for this due to its unpredictable, but most often, violet (#violent) undertones. Snowbound can be GREAT for a single room but isn’t great for a whole home.
• Snowbound is finicky about its color partners, whereas Pure White is VERY flexible.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Snowbound

Sherwin Williams Snowbound walls

KYLIE’S FAVE SHADE

It’s not even a question – Pure White trumps Snowbound 99% of the time.

Snowbound isn’t predictable or versatile enough to be relied on for a ‘whole home’ application, even if it’s just all the trim work. Pure White is flexible and accommodates a wide range of colors.

PHOTOS & INFO: Full Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Snowbound

8. PURE WHITE vs. DECORATORS WHITE

Decorators White and Snowbound have a LOT in common. Pure White and Decorator’s White? Not so much, but comparing the two with Peel & Stick helps you see some important differences. Remember, comparing colors helps you see the undertones/temperature/depth in each color – things that are hard to see when you only look at one or two colors.

DIFFERENCES & SIMILARITIES BETWEEN PURE WHITE & DECORATORS WHITE

• Which is whiter? Pure White has an LRV of 84, and Decorators White’s LRV is 82.68, making it DARKER than Pure White (but it’s still a white).
• Which is warmer? Pure White is a subtle WARM white; Decorators White is a subtle COOL white.
• Compared to Pure White’s warmth, you’ll see a flash of violet and gray in Decorator’s White (cooler than Snowbound’s violet undertone).
• Decorator’s White isn’t a great choice for trim as it will limit your wall color options. Pure White is a wicked choice as it’s flexible.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Decorators White

Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White on the walls – stock white trim

KYLIE’S FAVE

Again, Pure White for the win. Decorator’s White has its place, but it’s usually on a single-use basis (i.e., the walls in one room). Its undertones don’t leave Decorator’s White a lot of room to accommodate other colors.

PHOTOS & INFO ON DECORATOR’S WHITE: Full Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore’s Decorator’s White

9. PURE WHITE vs. CHANTILLY LACE

Pure White and Chantilly Lace often compete for the same spot on cabinets, walls, trims, and exteriors. Unfortunately, Chantilly Lace gets a bad rap for not getting as good coverage (although I have a tip to help). There are also a few other features that set these two shades apart.

Again, these color images can look different on your particular computer screen. They often look DIFFERENT in real life! 

HOW ARE PURE WHITE & CHANTILLY LACE SIMILAR & DIFFERENT?

• Which is whiter? Chantilly Lace has an LRV of 90.04, making it considerably WHITER than Pure White at 84. This makes Chantilly Lace a bright white and Pure White a soft white.
• Which is warmer? Pure White is WARMER than Chantilly Lace, but don’t get yer knickers in a knot as it’s one of the LEAST warm of the warm whites.
• Chantilly Lace and Pure White can look great with today’s popular quartz countertops and many marble or marble-look countertops. Neither is popular with granite countertops unless it’s black granite or one with cool colors.
• Chantilly Lace and Pure White are great ‘whole home’ white paint colors, often used for walls, trims, ceilings, doors, and exteriors.
• Neither color is used in Tuscan-style homes (with a lot of beige).
• Chantilly Lace will look WHITER and less warm than Pure White. However, it’s not quite as stark as High Reflective White. I would say that both whites are EQUALLY as flexible and I don’t have a clear fave between the two – it all comes down to the surrounding finishes and their specific needs.
• If your room has northern light, both colors have equal opportunity. HOWEVER, neither will offer a tangible warmth. If you’re looking for a bit more softness and warmth, you will need a warmer shade of white.
• South-facing light and western afternoon sunshine can be roasty-toasty! And while Pure White is a warm white, it has a PASSIVE warmth and doesn’t lean too warm in these exposures (this IS open to perception). Almost any white will pick up yellow in these warm exposures, but the COOLER your white is, the more balance it will add. As for Chantilly Lace, it can be gorgeous in these lights, again, picking up a warm hue without looking overly creamy.
• If you want more balance in a room with a warm exposure, you might consider a cooler white paint colour (make sure you love it at night too).
• Pure White is more likely to suit a white countertop than Chantilly Lace (but there are ALWAYS exceptions).

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE of Chantilly Lace

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace cabinets

KYLIE’S FAVE SHADE OF WHITE

Now THIS is a tough one. I’ve used both colors a lot, but more so Pure White. It really depends on the home with this one, but my heart miiiiight just be with Chantilly Lace, and NOT just because she has a pretty face.

PHOTOS & INFO: Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace Paint Color Review

10. PURE WHITE vs. HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE

I have such mad love for both these colors; however, like Chantilly Lace, High Reflective White also has a bad rap, but for a different reason – IT’S SO DANG HARD TO GET!

However, if you love it as much as I do, and read this blog post, things should turn out well.

As for how Pure White and High Reflective White compare, let’s take a peek…

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of High Reflective White

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White walls & trims

SIMILARITIES & DIFFERENCES BETWEEN HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE & PURE WHITE

• Which is whiter? High Reflective’s LRV of 93 makes it one of the WHITEST whites on the market. It’s a true white compared to the soft white of Pure White’s 84.
• Which is warmer? While Pure White is WARMER than High Reflective White, don’t forget that Pure White’s warmth is still suuuuuper passive.
• Pure White is often a better choice with a white quartz countertop, although it depends on which one it is. Both colors are contenders with a wide range of marble finishes.
• High Reflective White has NO warmth but isn’t icy cold. Pure White has a passive warmth.
• If you have northern light, Pure White will add a touch more softness and warmth (but you might still want an even WARMER white)
• Both colors are interesting options in a space with southern light or afternoon western sun. However, HRW will be a bit cleaner in flat morning western light.
• Pure White is more likely to suit white quartz countertops. However, BOTH whites have been known to humor varying types of marble finishes.

WHICH WHITE IS THE WARMEST WHITE?

Of the above shades, Simply White, Cheviot, and Cloud White are the WARMEST white paint colors

Benjamin Moore Cloud White on all white surfaces

WHICH WHITE IS THE COOLEST?

Comparing the top 10 white paint colors shows us Benjamin Moore Decorators White is the coolest. However, you could also throw in Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White, which didn’t make the top 10 list.

Decorator’s White is at the bottom

WHICH WHITE IS THE MOST POPULAR?

Benjamin Moore White Dove leads the list for cabinets, walls, trims, and exteriors, followed closely by Sherwin Williams Alabaster and Pure White.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster

WHICH WHITE IS THE BRIGHTEST & WHITEST?

High Reflective White is the whitest of the above shades of white, followed by Cheviot and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White and Chantilly Lace. However, if you’re looking for more, there are a few other super white whites that we didn’t look at today.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

READ MORE

Benjamin Moore White Dove vs. Swiss Coffee, Pure White, Alabaster, Greek Villa & More

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee vs. The TOP 5 Shades of White

The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

Full Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Pure White

The TOP 5 Almost Fool-Proof White Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

GET AN ONLINE PAINT COLOR CONSULTATION WITH KYLIE M, COLOR EXPERT! 

Chat soon,

The post PURE WHITE vs. THE 10 BEST SHADES OF WHITE (Alabaster, Extra White, & More) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Thinking of painting your exterior, cabinets, or walls and not sure which neutral is best? Looking for a shade with a bit more meat on its bones? Let’s see if Graystone is the color you’ve been searching for…

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS GRAYSTONE – GREIGE OR GRAY?

Graystone is a WARM paint color. While it might look gray, Graystone straddles the line between warm gray and GREIGE. This means that Graystone can shift how it looks based on the EXPOSURE of your room.

If you have a north-facing room, Graystone will surely lean into gray but should never look cold or icy. If you have southern or afternoon western sun, Graystone can pick up a bit more of its greige warmth without leaning ANYWHERE near the beige end of things.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF GRAYSTONE?

Graystone has an LRV of 30. With this LRV, Graystone is a solid MEDIUM depth warm gray/greige paint color.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

If you have a dark room, Graystone could look a bit drab and flat – you NEED adequate and quality interior light for it to look its best. On the other hand, in a super bright room, Graystone’s lower LRV helps it hold up to intense light, not washing out as much as lighter colors will.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room

WHAT ARE GRAYSTONE’S UNDERTONES?

Graystone has a subtle GREEN undertone which ebbs and flows depending on its surrounding finishes, the sheen of the paint, the interior lighting situation, and the room’s exposure.

In the above photo, notice how the strong hit of natural light takes quite a bit of the muddiness out of Graystone, lightens it up, and looks LESS GREEN than in some other spaces.

Here’s Graystone on the OTHER side of the same room…

Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart door, White Dove trim

SAMPLING GRAYSTONE WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF GRAYSTONE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES BEST WITH GRAYSTONE WALLS?

Graystone is reasonably flexible, thanks to its warmth and depth. So, while these are my fave shades of white with it, there are many more that will work!

• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Benjamin Moore Cloud White

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colours

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colours

IS GRAYSTONE A GOOD EXTERIOR COLOR FOR SIDING OR TRIM?

Whether it’s for siding, stucco, shutters, or trims, Graystone can be amazeballs. But as with any paint color, it’s VITAL that you make sure it’s the right color/undertone for your stonework, brick, roof, and any other exterior features.

Graystone shutters

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS GRAYSTONE A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS OR AN ISLAND?

With greige being a popular cabinet color, Graystone has the POTENTIAL to be a great choice. However, even if you fall madly in love with it, it HAS to suit its surrounding finishes, including the countertop, backsplash, and flooring. Sometimes, Graystone has a WINK too warm green undertone for many of the popular quartz and granite countertops.

The Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

WHAT PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO GRAYSTONE?

Comparison is one of the BEST WAYS to choose a paint color. There will always be variations between colors and brands (in depths and undertones). Comparing with Samplize can help you land on the right shade for you and your home.

• Sherwin Williams Pavestone
• Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray
• Benjamin Moore Metropolis
• Sherwin Williams Dovetail

Graystone on walls

Remember, if you’re thinking of color matching between brands, you won’t get an exact match (no matter what they tell you). Read THIS first.

WHAT COLORS LOOK GOOD WITH GRAYSTONE?

Being a greige paint colour, Graystone will be sensitive to colors that are cooler and LIGHTER than it. Instead, here are some of my fave considerations…

• lighter greige paint colors with a subtle green undertone
• some soft and subtle off-white paint colors (warm, not cool)
• some stormy gray-blue blends (with depth)
• VERY muted beige and tan paint colors
• darker shades of greige

READ MORE

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Pavestone

The Best DARKER Taupe & Greige Paint Colors – Benjamin Moore

The Best DARKER Taupe & Greige Paint Colors – Sherwin Williams

The Best Paint Colors for Cabinets, Vanities & Islands

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post BENJAMIN MOORE GRAYSTONE: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to the best shades of white, you’re choosing between five types and HUNDREDS of options. Where do you even START?

Right here.

I’ve spent countless hours reviewing the TOP shades of white for you. And today, we’re checking out one of the new shades from Sherwin William’s Emerald Designer Collection – White Snow.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. Because this is a NEWER COLOR, I don’t have great examples of it. HOWEVER, I do have some great comparisons and images for you to check out. 

IS WHITE SNOW A WARM OR COOL SHADE OF WHITE?

While it looks pretty darn white at first glance, White Snow is a warm white.

How do I know this?

I’m not just good looks, you know (wink wink). When I’m learning about a paint color, the FIRST thing I do is compare it to other, similar colors (which we’ll do more of shortly). Sure, I could look up the scientific base of this color and nerd out on you, but I keep things pretty meat n’ potatoes around here.

Being a warm white, if you have a south-facing room or a room with warm afternoon western sunshine, White Snow can pick up a bit of this warmth and look WARMER. However, in north-facing light, White Snow isn’t REALLY warm enough to add balance – you need a warmer shade of white if you want a softer look in a northern room.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a soft, warm white – great for a north-facing space

Can I Paint My North-Facing Room White?

WHAT’S WHITE SNOW’S LRV?

The LRV is one of white’s most IMPORTANT features as it lets you know HOW WHITE it is. White Snow has an LRV of 90, making it a bright white (there are five types of white).

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting services – let me make it easy for you! 

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES WHITE SNOW HAVE?

While White Snow is a warm white, it’s BAAARELY warm. So, while a nugget of yellow is hiding in there, it’s not a color that shows up at the party. White Snow’s SUPER subtle approach becomes more obvious when you compare it to a similar white with more warmth, like Benjamin Moore’s Simply White.

Benjamin Moore Collingwood walls

These two shades are VERY comparable, but you’ll see a more noticeable yellow in Simply White (its subtle, but stronger than White Snow). White Snow doesn’t have noticeable undertones/colors; it has a more passive softness.

Again, if you have strong southern light or afternoon western sun, your walls can pick up some of this yellow-based warmth and further warm up White Snow, but this is hard to avoid with almost ANY bright or soft white color.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING WHITE SNOW WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK paint samples are AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

Your peel & stick samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH WHITE SNOW?

If you’re using White Snow on your walls, trims, cabinets, or ALL of the above, they should all be the same white. Mixing and matching whites can create a hot mess of clashing undertones. There’s RARELY a reason to layer whites unless you’re a glutton for punishment or want to expose the undertones in one white or the other.

White Walls, Trims, Cabinets: Do They All Need to Match?

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

IS WHITE SNOW A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

While Sherwin William’s has exterior paint in the regular Emerald line, they don’t in the Designers Collection, which is the only product you can get White Snow made in. In other words, you can’t paint your exterior White Snow.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster is another gorgeous shade of white! 

However, if you want to do your exterior trims or doors in White Snow, they do have an exterior product for these surfaces! White Snow is great if you don’t want a cold white color on your exterior trims or doors. While it DEFINITELY ‘looks and acts like white,’ it’s not stark or icy.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS WHITE SNOW A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

Choosing the best shade of white for your cabinets comes down to which one best suits your countertop and backsplash. More often than not, these surfaces cater towards a slightly softer white. HOWEVER, there are times when a brighter shade of white is needed, in which case, White Snow could be a great fit.

The trick is to compare 4-5 shades of white. Notice the shift between brightness and temperature. See which one flows best with your interior finishes (btw, the backsplash matters MORE than the countertop when coordinating).

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO WHITE SNOW?

Now, THIS is where we get to have some FUN!

I love comparing colors; comparison is the KEY to finding your home’s best shade! Let’s see what we’ve got here…

WHITE SNOW vs. PURE WHITE

Pure White is among my top whites, as it works with so many colors. And while it’s SIMILAR to White Snow in that it’s a ‘white,’ a few key features set them apart…

• WHICH WHITE IS BRIGHTER & WHITER? White Snow is the whitest of the two thanks to its higher LRV of 90, whereas Pure White sits at 84 (making it a soft white).
• WHITE WHITE IS WARMER? Now, this is a tough one that you could refer to science for. Why? Well, they’re hard to compare as they’re different TYPES of white. Overall, White Snow comes across as cleaner than Pure White, which can make it look a bit warmer, but it’s also BRIGHTER, which can enhance this effect.
• WHICH ONE IS BEST WITH WHITE QUARTZ COUNTERTOPS? The average white quartz will likely suit Pure White over White Snow. Even though quartz can LOOK white, the base color is usually a soft white that’s better suited to a soft white paint color.
• CAN EITHER WORK IN A TUSCAN-STYLE HOME? Heck no, you’ll need a warmer white for that.

Pure White cabinets with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray walls

FULL Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Pure White

Because Pure White is SO popular, it has its own special breakdown (yes, I do play favorites – I do it with my husbands, too). The rest of these comparisons are a bit more simple.

WHITE SNOW vs. EXTRA WHITE

Extra White has an LRV of 93, making it WHITER than White Snow. Even though there are only three LRV points between them, this is a pretty big difference in the wild world of whites. As for warmth, Extra White can look COLD compared to White Snow.

Both Extra White and White Snow can work with the right white quartz; just note whether your countertop looks dingy, gray, or yellow compared to your chosen cabinet color. As for the other end of the spectrum, Tuscan-style homes with finishes like travertine don’t suit whites like these and prefer warmer shades.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Extra White

WHITE SNOW vs. ALABASTER

Just as with Pure White, we’re looking at two different types of white when comparing White Snow and Alabaster. Alabaster is a soft white…a very, VERY soft white. With an LRV of 82, this is as dark as white gets before it becomes off-white. Long story short, White Snow is whiter than Alabaster.

As for temperature, Alabaster has a soft, almost creamy warmth to it, whereas White Snow is a cleaner, MUCH more subtle approach to warmth (so subtle it’s hard to tell).

REALLY, if you’re choosing between White Snow and Alabaster, wondering how they’re similar, you should be comparing/choosing between different shades of white.

Why?

It would be rare that these two whites are fighting for the same project as they suit different types of finishes.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Alabaster

WHITE SNOW vs. SIMPLY WHITE

Ahhhh, now we’re comparing apples to apples. White Snow and Simply White are similar as they have comparable LRVs (White Snow 90 / Simply White 89.52). This means they’re both BRIGHT whites.

Simply White trim and cabinets

The big difference is that Simply White is warmer than White Snow, with a more noticeable yellow undertone. BUT (Kardashian-sized), just because it’s more noticeable doesn’t mean it’s overwhelming – sample both and see which sits best with your finishes and lighting.

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Simply White

WHITE SNOW vs. CHANTILLY LACE

I LOVE Chantilly Lace and it’s a great comparable to White Snow thanks to their similar LRVs (White Snow 90 / Chantilly Lace 90.04).

Where these two whites are different is in temperature. When you compare the two, Chantilly Lace will look a bit COLD compared to White Snow, which is warmer. Now, this doesn’t mean that Chantilly Lace is a cold white – it’s not; it’s just cooler-looking than White Snow.

Both whites could work with some marble tiles and countertops and ‘some’ white quartz countertops. Again, get your samples and see how they look compared to your finishes. Do your finishes look off-white/gray/cream compared to these whites? Do these whites look a bit YELLOW compared to your cool-toned finishes? SAMPLE SAMPLE SAMPLE!

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

WHITE SNOW vs. SNOWBOUND

White Snow and Snowbound are two different types of colors entirely. Sure, they’re similar as they’re both white, but that’s where the similarities STOP faster than me passing a Starbucks.

Snowbound has an LRV of 83, so it’s white…ish. The thing is, Snowbound has a TON of undertones, including violet, and pink, and it can even flash yellow – this is all wrapped up with a bit of gray. Oooof. This is why Snowbound is rarely my fave for cabinets or trims; it’s WAAAAAY too fussy. White Snow is a more traditional approach to white, making Snowbound look off-white in comparison.

Compare the Snowbound walls to the white door – this is how NOT WHITE Snowbound is! 

Do you want my personal opinion (I know you do)? While Snowbound has its place on a small scale (i.e., a single room), I would never use it on a large scale in my home (as a trim or cabinet color) as it will limit future paint color choices.

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Snowbound

WHITE SNOW vs. HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE

So far, White Snow has been one of the WHITEST whites on this page. This isn’t the case when you compare it to High Reflective White. High Reflective White has an LRV of 93, making it Sherwin William’s whitest, most true white (a few more true whites are HERE). With its lack of undertones, High Reflective White is a great comparison to White Snow, as you’ll see how they’re similar in their general approach, but HRW exposes the weeee tiny wink of warmth hiding in White Snow.

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

When comparing the two, I love how High Reflective White shows HOW NEUTRAL and subtle White Snow really is. Sure, it has fractional warmth, but if you put a standard warm white with High Reflective White, the yellow undertone pops more (i.e., Simply White).

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH WHITE SNOW?

If you have White Snow on your trim or cabinets, it suits MANY wall colors – there are few that it can’t handle. The question is, how much CONTRAST do you want? If you want a slightly softer contrast with your walls, you might explore Sherwin Williams Pure White or Benjamin Moore White Dove instead. Check out Extra White or High Reflective White if you want the MOST contrast.

As for particulars, White Snow trims or cabinets suits wall that are…

• any shade of gray, light or dark – any undertone
• greige and taupe can be great
• blues, greens, and violets can be gorgeous
• any MANY more shades, tints, tones, and hues!

HOWEVER, where you want to be careful is with shades of cream-yellow. White Snow isn’t as friendly with stronger creams and shades of yellow – these prefer a stronger yellow-based white.

The 5 Best White Paint Colors for Cabinets (and trim)

HOW DO I GET A SAMPLE OF WHITE SNOW?

Rather than offering you an assortment of ways to sample White Snow, here are the ways you can’t…

• Sherwin William’s doesn’t carry paper chip samples of White Snow in-store
• You can’t get White Snow mixed in a sample pot – it needs to be made in the Emerald Designer paint.
• Unfortunately, Emerald Designer paint isn’t available in quartz for easy sampling either.

This means that aside from Samplize, the ONLY way to see White Snow in action is to purchase a full gallon. At $125 CDN, I don’t see that happening very often, making this a tough color to make popular!

READ MORE

Sherwin Williams 9 Best White Paint Colours: EMERALD DESIGNER’S EDITION

The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

Is White Still Trendy on Cabinets, Walls, & Exteriors?

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Sherwin Williams WHITE SNOW 9541: Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

With gray falling out of style, we’re shifting to the WARMER end of things, including colors like Sherwin Williams City Loft. But will it be the next IT color? We’ll see!

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use my own photos or those from my Online Color Consulting clients. 

IS CITY LOFT GRAY, GREIGE, BEIGE, OR TAUPE?

City Loft DEFINITELY isn’t beige – it’s not warm enough. It’s also not greige as it doesn’t have a green undertone. HOWEVER, City Loft is a bit of a hybrid as it sits in between the warm gray and taupe worlds – catering more to taupe than gray.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S CITY LOFT’S LRV?

With its LRV of 70, City Loft offers a nice subtle balance between light and off-white depths. With this LRV, City Loft can wash out in an overly well-lit room – you’ll need a color with a lower LRV to prevent this (or blinds). HOWEVER, notice how it shifts as the day progresses, as overall, it’s a great option for the average room.

As for exposures, City Loft does well in a north-facing room as it offers a bit of warmth to offset the cool gray-blue northern light. On the other hand, it’s not SO warm that it makes a south or west-facing afternoon look like an easy-bake oven.

Notice how the ceiling is painted the same color as the walls for a seamless look.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Best Paint NUMBER for Your Home – 62

The Best LIGHT Paint Colors for a DARK room

DOES CITY LOFT HAVE UNDERTONES?

YOU BET YOUR BOOTY, JUDY! Undertones are hard to avoid, especially in the warm gray and taupe worlds.

City Loft has feather-light earthy undertones of violet and pink (a blend). However, they’re gentle enough that the average person isn’t too bothered, and they happen to suit a wide range of interior finishes. If you’re sensitive to these undertones, you might find them a bit much, but compare City Loft to other shades to see where it sits (we’ll chat about similar colors shortly). 

This next photo shows City Loft with maple cabinets (with a pink undertone). Notice how well City Loft coordinates, considering this is as strong/warm as I’ve ever seen it look…

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING CITY LOFT WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE peel-and-stick paint samples are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location.

• They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling.

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF CITY LOFT!

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH CITY LOFT?

City Loft’s best white partner is Sherwin Williams Pure White. Pure White is a soft white (NOT a pure white) and contrasts gently with City Loft. However, there are a few more that work just as well…

• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS CITY LOFT A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

City Loft has undertones to suit various facades, including stone, brick, and asphalt roofs. HOWEVER, its higher LRV can look washed out with even half-decent natural light. Be sure to partner it with a clean white trim color to increase the contrast. On the other hand, if you have black windows or prefer a more seamless look, painting the siding and trim the same color can look wicked pretty.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS CITY LOFT A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

City Loft is often in the running, as off-white cabinet colors are popular. However, while its undertones can suit a range of finishes, watch that they don’t appear too colorful.

The Best Off-White & Light Depth Cabinet Colors

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO CITY LOFT?

While no colors will be exactly the same, a few shades have similar intentions, including…

• Sherwin Williams Egret White
• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
• Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

City Loft with Benjamin Moore Charcoal Slate accent wall on fireplace

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH CITY LOFT?

Thanks to its slightly higher LRV and subtle warmth, City Loft has a wide range of color partners.

• warm grays and taupes with similar undertones (that are darker than City Loft)
• blue-green blends (must be a bit darker than City Loft)
• darker blue-gray blends
• shades of gray with blue-green undertones
• muted shades of green, like Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog
• darker navy hues like Sherwin Williams Cyberspace

Sherwin Williams 10 Best WARM Gray Paint Colors

COMPARING TOP WARM GRAY SHADES

CITY LOFT VS. AGREEABLE GRAY

City Loft and Agreeable Gray are similar in that they can pass as a warm gray or taupe. HOWEVER, that’s where the similarities stop. Agreeable Gray is darker than City Loft, with an LRV of 60. Agreeable Gray has more flexible undertones and can grab a vague violet or green, whereas City Loft isn’t likely to grab green.

Agreeable Gray could be your shade if you want a color with a bit more depth and flexible undertones. However, this flexibility comes with a bit of unpredictability, so sample carefully!

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray painted island, trim, and board and batten

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

CITY LOFT VS. DRIFT OF MIST

City Loft and Drift of Mist are similar; both are soft, warm grays bordering on the off-white range (higher LRVs). However, the big difference is that while City Loft caters to a violet-pink undertone, Drift of Mist is more likely to grab a vague green.

You might find that a color like City Loft is more likely to suit a range of interior finishes. Drift of Mist, with its vague green, can sit a bit off with the average finish, unless it happens to have similar undertones – SAMPLE & COMPARE!

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Drift of Mist

CITY LOFT VS. AESTHETIC WHITE

City Loft and Aesthetic White are warm, earth-toned paint colors. However, whereas City Loft caters to the warm gray and taupe end, Aesthetic White has a beige backdrop, giving it a slightly more noticeable warmth. Aesthetic White is also a true off-white as it’s lighter than City Loft by three LRV points.

With color trends leaning warmer, Aesthetic White could definitely be the next ‘IT COLOR.’ However, of the two, City Loft could be a BIT more likely to suit the average home’s finishes.

Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White Paint Color Review

READ MORE

The Best Light Greige & Taupe Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore Classic Gray Paint Color Review

6 Budget-Friendly Home Update Ideas

Laminate Countertops & Why They Rock

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS CITY LOFT 7631: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

..it’s the shade to be seen! Okay, okay, I’m done. But for real, Pewter Green is all of those things and then some. Read along to find out more about this bad boy and see if it could be the color for you.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

IS PEWTER GREEN A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

While Pewter Green LOOKS like a standard (but muted) shade of green, it leans cool because of its undertones (which I’ll touch on momentarily). Because Pewter Green is a cool shade of green, it will only look that BIT cooler in north-facing light.

However, it can be stunning in a room with southern light or western afternoon sunshine because its cooler approach can add some balance. THIS BEING SAID, even though it will lean cool in northern light, the degree of COLOR (chroma) still makes it darn pretty.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S PEWTER GREENS LRV?

Pewter Green’s LRV is 12! That makes it a medium-dark depth but flirts closer to the DARK side rather than the medium. With this low of an LRV, it will reflect SOME light, but not a whole lot. Luckily, its degree or color makes it appear in almost any room, even with reasonably low light.

• In a BRIGHT room, Pewter Green will appear lighter, and you may notice the green color and undertones more. Why? Because the paint has more light to reflect!
• In a DARK room, Pewter Green will be a bit duller and won’t reflect much light (because there isn’t much light to reflect, ya know?) It will show up at the party as being green, it just won’t have its tassels on.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Best Paint NUMBER for Your Home – 62

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES PEWTER GREEN HAVE?

Pewter Green has a beautiful gray undertone. I’d say it leans more towards a true muted green, with subtle gray influences. And being a cool green, there is a bit of blue in there, but it’s not the kind of blue you’ll ever see.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING PEWTER GREEN WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location.

• They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling.

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF PEWTER GREEN!

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLORS GO WITH PEWTER GREEN?

Pewter Green is super accommodating regarding its best white for trims or cabinets. My two faves would have to be:

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Pure White

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS PEWTER GREEN A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Ain’t nothin’ cuter than Pewter… Green on an exterior. I tried. Anyway, it can absolutely be a bomb color. However, you want to make sure you aren’t encompassed by TOO much landscaping, making your home camouflaged into the surroundings. In the home below, Pewter Green was added as an accent on the gables.

Rare Gray siding – Casa Blanca trim – PEWTER GREEN gables

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS PEWTER GREEN A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

It most definitely could be. I’d probably lean more into JUST lower cabinets and having lighter uppers OR just an island. But the depth of Pewter Green could be gorgeous if the undertones in the countertop and backsplash fit the bill.

My top places for Pewter Green because of its depth would be:

• CABINETS
• KITCHEN ISLANDS
• FEATURE OR ACCENT WALLS
• EXTERIORS
• FRONT DOORS

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO PEWTER GREEN?

Comparison is the KEY to choosing the best paint color for your home. Don’t be afraid to explore other colors to see how undertones, temperatures, and LRVs shift…

• Sherwin Williams Cast Iron
• Benjamin Moore Rainy Afternoon
• Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue (stronger)
• Sherwin Williams Night Owl

Sherwin Williams Night Owl

The 15 Best Medium to Dark GREEN Paint Colors

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH PEWTER GREEN?

• WARM NEUTRALS: Colors like Sherwin Williams Alabaster or Repose Gray can work well alongside Pewter Green. These neutral shades can provide a subtle backdrop allowing Pewter Green to take center stage when partnered.
• EARTH TONES: Pewter Green can look amazeballs with warm, earthy colors like beiges and greiges. Colors similar to Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige (beige, obvi) and Worldly Gray (light greige).
• STORMY BLUES: Soft stormy blue shades like Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray and Gray Timberwolf can complement Pewter Green beautifully. The combination of green and blue undertones can work well together when done right.

READ MORE

The 15 Best Medium to Dark GREEN Paint Colors

WHITE DOVE vs. CLOUD WHITE WHITE, SWISS COFFEE & 10 OTHER POPULAR COLORS

WHITE PAINT COLORS: Walls, Cabinets & Trim – Do They Need to Match?

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to Choosing White Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Sherwin Williams Pewter Green 6208: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

You shouldn’t believe EVERYTHING you read (unless you’re reading my blog) because while this color might be CALLED Extra White – it’s anything but…

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so I ONLY use photos from my Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need, but I have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

WHAT ARE EXTRA WHITE’S UNDERTONES? IS IT WARM OR COOL?

Extra White is complicated as its undertones change depending on the type of paint you’re using. That’s right, even though Extra White’s roots suggest a very (very) vague green-yellow undertone, you might be surprised to see a) NO green whatsoever, and b) a wink of blue sometimes!

EXTRA WHITE ON WALLS

If you choose Extra White for your walls, thanks to the type of paint you’ll be using (wall paint), it will read as a cool shade of white. There’s a wink of blue in there, but you’ll hardly know it.

EXTRA WHITE ON CABINETS & TRIMS

If you paint your cabinets and trims Extra White, it will look like a slightly WARM white. This is because the base/foundation it’s mixed into (trim or cabinet paint) has yellow, whereas the wall paint base doesn’t.

Does this make it really hard to paint your walls, cabinets, and trims the same white – namely, Extra White? YOU BET IT DOES – don’t kill the messenger!

But regardless of whether you’re painting your walls, trims, or cabinets, it’s SURPRISING how darn white Extra white can look.

Why is it surprising? 

As you’ll learn in the LRV section (coming up next), Extra White is not in the ‘bright and true white’ range – and it sure as heck ain’t ‘extra’ white.

HOW WHITE IS SHERWIN WILLIAMS EXTRA WHITE?

Extra White has an LRV of almost 86. This higher LRV means that while it’s in the white range, it has some depth compared to WHITER and BRIGHTER whites – making it more of a soft shade of white (technically). This might not be noticeable until you partner it with a WHITER white with an LRV of, say, 92+; then, it will look softer – maybe not off-white, but darn close. Grab a sample of Extra White and High Reflective White (LRV 93) and note the differences.

Look how great Extra White looks as a backdrop to a white toilet. Whereas some shades of white can look quite creamy-yellow compared to bath fixtures, Extra White settles in quite nicely…

If you’ve never heard about LRV, you’ll LOVE learning about this great color-picking tool – read it HERE.

USING PEEL & STICK TO SAMPLE EXTRA WHITE

 SAMPLIZE offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY; depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF EXTRA WHITE HERE

WHAT COLOR SHOULD MY TRIM BE IF I HAVE EXTRA WHITE WALLS?

Another version of this question would be…

If I want WHITE walls and have Extra White trim, which white should I use?

Normally, I’d suggest painting your walls and trims/cabinets the same color. However, with the variation in Extra White, you could have a whole mess of undertones on your hands, unless your paint technician is a tint-magician.

This is why I’m more likely to partner Extra White with High Reflective White. High Reflective White is pretty darn white, meaning Extra White doesn’t have dominant undertones to wrestle with.

WHITE PAINT COLORS – Walls, Cabinets & Trims, do they need to match?

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS EXTRA WHITE A GOOD EXTERIOR COLOR FOR TRIM OR SIDING?

If you want a white that really just reads WHITE, Extra White could be a great fit for the trim OR the main house color!

In this next photo from one of my Color Consulting clients, Extra White is in its GLORY with cool siding (James Hardie Night Gray)

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

You can expect Extra White to look WARM when your home gets good hits of sunshine (i.e., south-facing/western afternoon). In this case, ANY shade of white can pick up some yellow/cream hues.

Exterior Paint Colors: Does Exposure REALLY Matter?

WHAT WHITES ARE SIMILAR TO EXTRA WHITE

Extra White is really a shade unto itself. However, before you pick ANY white paint color, it’s important to compare it to others…

EXTRA WHITE VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS PURE WHITE

Extra White is a touch whiter than Pure White. As for temperature, Extra White generally comes off much cooler compared to the subtle warmth in Pure White. Extra White is also CLEANER-looking than Pure White.

Cabinets in Sherwin Williams Pure White with beige tile floor

EXTRA WHITE VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE

If you ask me, there’s no competition. High Reflective White is WHITER/brighter than Extra White (due to its higher LRV) and has virtually no undertone. This makes High Reflective White far more versatile for the average home.

Painted white surfaces in Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

EXTRA WHITE VS. BENJAMIN MOORE VS BENJAMIN MOORE SUPER WHITE

Extra White and Super White are similar as their LRVs are reasonably close – Extra White at 86, Super White at 87.36. Even so, if you compare them, Super White looks a bit brighter, a bit whiter, and has CONSIDERABLY less undertone – again, Super White wins (but of them all, High Reflective is the best for this general approach).

Cute powder room in Benjamin Moore Super White! 

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Pure White

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing White Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Simply White

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2022

The post Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

With trends leaning into the warmer end of things, it’s no surprise that I’m seeing more warm grays, taupes, greiges, and EVEN BEIGE paint colors popping up in my inbox. This is why today we’re going to spend some time with what SHOULD be one of the best warm neutrals on the market…

By the way, I love Egret White so much that I selected it as one of my TOP COLORS OF THE YEAR FOR 2024!

IS EGRET WHITE WARM OR COOL? GRAY, TAUPE OR GREIGE?

While it’s up for grabs whether Egret White is a warm gray or taupe, one thing it ISN’T is a greige. Greige paint colors favor a green undertone, which is one hue you WON’T find in Egret White. What WILL you find? Keep on reading!

Because Egret White is a taupe that caters to warm gray (so it has more gray than beige), it’s a warm paint color.

If you have a north-facing room, with a degree of gray in it, you can expect Egret White to lean a bit more into its gray side while DEFINITELY retaining some passive warmth.

If you have a south-facing room or a room with a lot of western afternoon sunshine, Egret White will lean into its warm side without going FULL beige on you.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF EGRET WHITE?

Egret White has an LRV of 70, putting it in between the light and off-white range. If you have a dark room due to insufficient interior lighting or natural light, Egret White could look dingy and won’t come to life. On the other hand, if you have a VERY BRIGHT ROOM, Egret White WILL wash out quite a bit – as will any color with a higher LRV like this. This is thanks to its LRV AND lack of obvious color.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

How to Choose the Right Kelvins for Your Paint Color

WHAT ARE EGRET WHITE’S UNDERTONES?

Egret White has subtle undertones nodding toward a warm violet, so a violet with a wink o’ pink in it. These undertones are SUPER passive but could show up to the party more if you partner them with a surface with green hues. You might also notice them if you’re sensitive to these undertones. Just keep in mind, that if we take these undertones away entirely, you’ll switch into the greige world, with green undertones.

In the right situation, you might see Egret White leaning just a weeee tiny bit into BEIGE – it’s quite the chameleon, and it’s all so subtle that it can be left up to personal perception.

SAMPLING EGRET WHITE WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY; depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF EGRET WHITE HERE! 

WHICH WHITE GOES WITH EGRET WHITE FOR TRIM & CABINETS?

While you’ll want to consider a LOT more than Egret White when choosing a cabinet color (like countertop and backsplash), knowing the type of white it suits is a great place to start.

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS EGRET WHITE A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Egret White suits some roofs, and a reasonably wide range of stonework and brickwork, more so than some other neutrals in this range. Note that Egret White often looks WARMER than expected on an exterior, but regardless, it’s becoming a popular choice on exteriors thanks to its flexibility!

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS EGRET WHITE A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

Egret White COULD be popular for kitchen cabinets, especially with homeowners loving off-white and light-depth cabinet colors (the current trend). However, because of its particular depth, Egret White is tricky to partner up with wall colors if you want to see ANY type of contrast. You need white walls or a paint color with an LRV approximately 15-20 points lower (or paint your walls Egret White as well).

WHAT PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO EGRET WHITE?

There’s never a perfect match, especially not in different brands. However, Benjamin Moore has a comparable and a few more within Sherwin Williams…

• Benjamin Moore Classic Gray vs. Egret White – Classic Gray is just a touch lighter and can look a bit warmer in some spaces, although both are often in competition for the same painting project!
• Sherwin Williams Modern Gray vs. Egret White – Modern Gray is a bit warmer and darker than Egret White, although both are darn popular. Between the two, I would lean into Egret White as I trust its undertones (or lack thereof) more than Modern Gray.
• Sherwin Williams City Loft vs. Egret White -City Loft is the same depth as Egret White but shows more undertone, for this reason, Egret White is more popular and versatile.

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (i.e., getting Benjamin Moore to make a Sherwin Williams paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

Sherwin Williams Egret White

WHAT COLORS GO WITH EGRET WHITE?

Thanks to its depth and simple undertones, Egret White has quite a few coordinating colors…

• gray paint colors that are the same LRV or lower, particularly with blue or blue-green undertones
• medium and dark shades of green can be stunning with Egret White
• light depth or darker blue-gray blends
• some darker shades of warm greige and taupe
• some super muted shades of warm off-white

Not sure if Egret White is YOUR favorite shade? Need a HUE that’s right for YOU?

READ MORE

Paint Colors of the Year 2024 With Kylie M. (Including Egret White!)

Sherwin Williams Origami White: Paint Color Review

Paint Color Review Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White

Paint Color Review Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

Is Gray Still Trendy on Cabinets, Trims & Walls?

LET ME PICK YOUR COLORS FOR YOU!

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Sherwin Williams Egret White SW 7570: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Gray is not the favorite child when it comes to paint color trends. However, maybe your home really SUITS gray, or you LOVE it, and you don’t care about trends! Either way, we’re looking at Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles, which just might make its way into your home – inside OR outside!

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients. 

IS KNITTING NEEDLES WARM OR COOL?

Knitting Needles is a SLIGHTLY warm gray – slightly being an overstatement. This vague warmth gives Knitting Needles more of a STORMY look compared to some of the other popular gray paint colors, which can be more obviously warm or cool.

The 2 Types of Gray Paint Colours 

With this flexibility, if you have south-facing light or a home with afternoon western exposure, you can expect Knitting Needles to look warmer than expected, without losing its ‘grayness’ – which some grays can.

On the other hand, with northern light, Knitting Needles picks up just a bit more of its gray base and a bit more undertone along the way (which we’ll talk about shortly).

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Colour is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF KNITTING NEEDLES?

With its LRV of 53, Knitting Needles is in the light-medium range, giving it a bit more depth than some of the more popular lighter versions. However, it doesn’t have so much depth that it visually weighs a room down – UNLESS that room lacks natural light.

The awesome thing about this LRV is that if you have an overly bright room, Knitting Needles won’t wash out as much as a lighter colour will. If you have a dark room, you will DEFINITELY need to supplement it with the right amount of interior lighting.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Best LIGHT Paint Colours for a DARK room

The Best DARK Paint Colours for a DARK room

WHAT ARE KNITTING NEEDLES UNDERTONES?

Knitting Needles is a gray paint colour with a VIOLET undertone. Is it an overpowering hue? No, but if you’re nervous about this undertone or it doesn’t suit your home, it could be a bad fit.

Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF KNITTING NEEDLES

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR FOR KNITTING NEEDLES?

With its slightly lower LRV, Knitting Needles is slightly more flexible than some of its lighter cousins. Here are a few of my fave whites…

• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
• Sherwin Williams Pure White

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colours

6 Questions to Ask Before You Paint Your Cabinets White

IS KNITTING NEEDLES GOOD ON A HOME’S EXTERIOR?

ABSOLUTELY! Knitting Needles is a popular paint colour for a home’s exterior as it suits a WIDE range of roof colors, stonework, and brickwork.

As shown in this next photo, expect it to lean CONSIDERABLY warmer in afternoon western sunshine…

However, once the sun shifts, it falls back into place as a subtle stormy shade of gray…

Knitting Needle’s LRV also helps it hold its depth a bit better than a lighter gray, although ANY colour will look lighter and brighter on an exterior.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Colour

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colours?

IS KNITTING NEEDLES A GOOD KITCHEN CABINET COLOR?

Nope. This isn’t to say it won’t work for you and your cabinets, but the violet undertone often comes up a BIT too much on cabinets. You must pay close attention to your countertop, backsplash, and wall colour to ensure they support this hue.

How to Choose the Best White Paint Colour for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colours for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO KNITTING NEEDLES?

Comparison is the KEY to choosing the best paint colour for your home. And while there are SIMILAR colors, expect to see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths, but you could check out…

• Sherwin Williams Light French Gray
• Sherwin Williams Repose Gray
• Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers

Sherwin Williams Light French Gray

Because they’re SO similar, let’s take a closer look at…

KNITTING NEEDLES vs. LIGHT FRENCH GRAY

I’m often asked what the difference is between these two shades of gray. Knitting Needles and Light French Gray have LRVs of 53, so they’re the same depth (light-medium). They both have a violet undertone. However, the main difference is that the undertone in Knitting Needles is more noticeable than LFG’s. This can make Light French Gray look more neutral than Knitting Needles.

Sherwin Williams Light French Gray with Pure White walls & trim

While this might seem good, some finishes need a subtle violet undertone. With Light French Gray’s lower commitment, it might not satisfy the needs of many interior and exterior finishes, meaning that Knitting Needles could be the better choice.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH KNITTING NEEDLES & OTHER WARM GRAYS?

• lighter or darker grays with similar undertone profiles
• light-medium or darker depth blue-gray blends
• many blue-green blends
• light-medium or darker depth grays with green undertones
• wide range of white paint colors, including some warm whites

Not sure if Knitting Needles is the best shade of gray for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Sherwin Williams 10 Best WARM GRAY Paint Colors! 

How Can I Make My Gray Room Look Warmer & More Inviting?

The 2 MAIN Types of Gray Paint Colours for Walls, Cabinets & Exteriors

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colours

Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Collingwood

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Colour Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS KNITTING NEEDLES: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Pure White, Extra White, Simply White, Alabaster – SO MANY WHITES TO CHOOSE FROM! But which one is BEST? Well, if you’ve been looking for a soft, warm white paint color, you’ve come to the right place, as today we’re getting up close and personal with Sherwin Williams Alabaster…

WHAT TYPE OF PAINT COLOR IS ALABASTER? IS IT WARM OR COOL?

Alabaster is a soft, WARM white with MORE undertone than some of the simpler, cleaner whites (i.e., SW High Reflective White). This warmth comes across as soft and creamy vs. abrasive and yellow, meaning it’s not even close to the three whites I would never paint my trim or cabinets.

If you have north-facing light, you’ll find that the warmth of Alabaster can be a nice balance to the cold light coming in your windows. If you have south-facing or afternoon western light, the warmth of Alabaster will increase slightly.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF ALABASTER? IS IT WHITE, OFF-WHITE, OR CREAM?

Alabaster has an LRV of 82. This number puts Alabaster in the white range, but it DEFINITELY isn’t one of the fresher, brighter ones, and EVEN starts winking at the off-white range.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save you paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

Alabaster with a gorgeous Evergreen Fog shiplap accent wall! 

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES ALABASTER HAVE? WILL IT LOOK YELLOW?

Many people turn to Alabaster expecting a slightly warm white, but it’s a BIT more than that. Alabaster has a wink more warmth than its more passive cousin, Benjamin Moore White Dove, without being AS yellow (or as fresh/white) as Benjamin Moore Simply White.

If you have white appliances, Alabaster will look more yellow-cream in comparison (you do you, but it’s not a look many love). However, choose the right white subway tile, and Alabaster is the perfect soft partner, as shown in this next bathroom…

This warmth can be a great choice if you have a north-facing room, but it will ONLY get warmer looking if you have intense southern or afternoon western light. Because of this, sample it carefully in your space before you start slappin’ paint on the walls.

Check out this next kitchen, with Alabaster trim and Sherwin Williams Creamy walls…

Now, check it out with Alabaster on the cabinets…

THANK YOU to my Online Paint Consulting clients for sending their AFTER photos in – you make my colorful lil’ world go round! 

Before, this living room was dull looking with tan/greige walls…

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

And after, it’s light, bright, and welcoming with Alabaster!

My client is the LOVELY Jenna Christian

EXPLORE ALABASTER WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES

I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. It’s more affordable and EASIER than janky ole sample pots. Plus, your samples get delivered to your door in 1 DAY!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF ALABASTER! 

WHAT WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR GOES WITH ALABASTER WALLS?

If you’re painting your trim and cabinets a white paint color and have fallen for Alabaster, I would do them the SAME white; otherwise, a different white could have Alabaster looking more yellow, just in comparison. Depending on the white, Alabaster could even look dingy or COOLER than your trim!

In this next photo, Alabaster looks good with the white trim (similar to Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace). However, because the trim is WHITER, it makes Alabaster look that bit warmer ‘in comparison’…

If you want white walls and are using Alabaster on the cabinets, I HIGHLY recommend using Alabaster on the walls as well and just letting the change in SHEEN do the work for you.

However, if you’re doing white walls and trim, it depends on what you plan on doing…

• ALABASTER WALLS: Alabaster trim, although you can check out a brighter but still warm white for the trim if you want a layered look. This works because the trim will be the LIGHTER of the two.
• ALABASTER TRIM: I would do Alabaster walls as there isn’t another white that will partner well with Alabaster for this layout.

Why?

Alabaster is as dark as white gets before it’s not white anymore. This means that if you put a DIFFERENT white on the walls, it will inevitably be lighter than Alabaster, meaning your trim is darker than your walls – and this rarely…rarely looks good.

White Walls, Trims, & Cabinets: DO THEY NEED TO MATCH?

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS ALABASTER A POPULAR WHITE COLOR FOR EXTERIORS?

HECK YES! I mean, I’m not going to tell you it’s the BEST white, as there’s a LOT that goes into picking the best paint color, but it’s definitely worth checking out if you want a white exterior.

I mean, need I say more?

Alabaster also looks great on exterior trim. Just keep in mind that if you have white windows, it could look more creamy/yellow in comparison…

WHAT PAINT COLORS ARE THE SAME AS OR SIMILAR TO ALABASTER?

You won’t find a perfect match between brands, but there are some equally as beautiful warm whites. These whites have similar warm INTENTIONS and include popular shades like…

• Benjamin Moore Cloud White
• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee
• Sherwin Williams Greek Villa

WHY IS SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER SO POPULAR?

Alabaster is one of the best white paint colors because of its softness. Its popularity comes from the WIDE RANGE of projects it can be used on, including walls, exteriors, cabinets, trims, ceilings, and furniture – it’s a great go-to shade of white!

And while it’s warm, the yellow in Alabaster isn’t so obvious that it’s off-putting (for most people), leaving it one of the top whites. However, some whites give Alabaster a run for its money, such as Sherwin Williams Pure White, Benjamin Moore White Dove, and Benjamin Moore Simply White.

Not sure if Alabaster is right for you? Want a bit warmer, whiter, cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove

Sherwin Williams White Snow DESIGNER COLLECTION

Sherwin Williams 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors

The 8 Best White Paint Colors from Benjamin Moore

Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors

The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2021, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2023

The post Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

If you’ve been looking for a dark gray paint color with a little more LOVE in it, you’ve come to the right place, as today we’re diving deep into Grizzle Gray.

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS GRIZZLE GRAY – GRAY OR GREEN?

Grizzle Gray is a considerably DARK gray paint color. At this depth, paint colors are often called ‘charcoal.’

As for temperature, Grizzle Gray is a COOL paint color, but unlike traditional shades of dark gray, Grizzle Gray has considerably noticeable undertones (which we’ll get into shortly).

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT ARE GRIZZLE GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

Grizzle Gray has a strong green undertone. However, it’s a COOL green, so a green-blue, which takes Grizzle Gray away from the more olive-toned (greige) and warmer gray-green blends.

This next photo shows the depth of Grizzle Gray on a kitchen island with minimal natural light flashing on it…

Now take a look at the OTHER side of the island, which gets a DIRECT hit of natural light. This is the POWER of paint color; when you give it light, it comes to LIFE!

WILL GRIZZLE GRAY LOOK BLUE?

As shown in the above photo, Grizzle Gray can look a bit green-blue, but you’d be hard-pressed to call it blue – long story short, no. Grizzle Gray is a green-gray at heart; it just happens to be a COOL one with a bit of blue in it.

WHAT’S GRIZZLE GRAY’S LRV?

Grizzle Gray has an LRV of 13, so there’s no messin’ around with this bad boy! This grizzly ole fella has some serious meat on his bones, sitting in the medium-dark range (learn more HERE).

Because Grizzle Gray is a GRAY with green in it and has a relatively low LRV, if you have a dark room, you might miss out on the real beauty of this color – make sure you hit it with some interior lighting. This being said, if you want a moody look, the subtlety of Grizzle Gray could hit the spot as a ‘gray with slight benefits.’

As shown in the previous photo, Grizzle Gray does best in a room with average or above-average lighting.

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK Room

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

SAMPLIZE GRIZZLE GRAY WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE peel-and-stick paint samples are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY (location dependant, of course).

• They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling.

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF GRIZZLE GRAY

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH GRIZZLE GRAY?

Grizzle Gray is pretty flexible and can humor warm whites and true whites. If I start with my paint palette from scratch, I’ll probably choose Sherwin Williams Pure White, for its overall ‘white’, but slightly soft look.

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS GRIZZLE GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Grizzle Gray can be an AWESOME exterior paint color for the siding, gables, or front door! Make sure your roof, stone, and other exterior features visually support the green undertone, as not EVERY finish can.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

IS GRIZZLE GRAY A POPULAR COLOR?

Grizzle Gray isn’t SUPER popular, but that’s only because it’s stuck between more legit grays (which are going out of style) and more legit shades of dark green, which are SUPER trendy right now.

With a color like Grizzle Gray, I would worry LESS about whether it’s trendy and more about how it looks with my finishes.

Grizzle Gray is also a GORGEOUS accent wall color, as shown in this next image…

To the left of the fireplace – Grizzle Gray on the top, Porpoise on the bottom

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO GRIZZLE GRAY?

Sherwin Williams has Night Owl, which is a bit more green than Grizzle Gray and is quite gorgeous. As for Benjamin Moore, while some have similar intentions, they have different approaches, such as…

• Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray (less green)
• Benjamin Moore Kitty Gray (more blue-green)

Benjamin Moore Kitty Gray accent wall with Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray main walls

Remember, you won’t find an exact match for ANY color between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths.

The Best DARK GRAY Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

WHAT COLORS LOOK GOOD WITH GRIZZLE GRAY?

Grizzle Gray is EASY to get along with, such as some…

• light warm gray paint colors with green or violet undertones like Repose Gray and Gossamer Veil

• greige paint colors, lighter and a bit darker, too

• various taupes in the lighter range, like Egret White and Modern Gray

• tan paint colors, as well as slightly warmer beige tones

Grizzle Gray with Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White walls (Benjamin Moore Simply White trim)

READ MORE

The 16 Best DARK GREEN Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Roycroft Pewter

Sherwin Williams Pewter Green: Paint Color Review

The Best Paint Colors for a Bathroom Vanity

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dovetail

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

The post Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray SW 7068: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Light French Gray. It kind of makes you think it’ll be a LIGHT french gray, right? THINK AGAIN! While it certainly is gray… it ain’t that light. However, Light French Gray’s depth makes it an awesome choice for everything from walls and cabinets to exteriors and accent walls.

So, without further adieu (get it, ‘french’ gray?), let’s check this gorgeous gray out.

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY WARM OR COOL?

Light French Gray is a lovely stormy gray paint color. While it is a touch warm, it’s subtle, meaning it can work with a wide range of interior finishes, including some that don’t cater to overly warm shades of gray.

With Pure White on the upper walls

If you have north-facing light, you’ll find the stormy gray look of Light French Gray ENHANCED by the gray-blue light coming in the windows. On the other hand, if your room is south-facing or has warm afternoon western sunshine, Light French Gray can offer a nice balance to those warm grays while looking only slightly warm.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S LIGHT FRENCH GRAY’S LRV?

Light French Gray has an LRV of 53, making it a light-medium depth paint color. A color this depth will hold itself a bit better in a super bright room, whereas colors with high LRVs can wash out. However, this LRV can make it a bit heavy if you have a dark room, whereas colors in the white, off-white, and light range (higher LRV) can bounce more light around.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE LIGHT FRENCH GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

Light French Gray favors a vague purple undertone. This purple can lean slightly purple-blue in cool light and soften in warmer light without going purple-pink.

With Sherwin Williams Pure White trim and walls

SAMPLING LIGHT FRENCH GRAY WITH PEEL & STICK

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF LIGHT FRENCH GRAY! 

WHAT WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR GOES WITH LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

• Sherwin Williams Pure White for a softer look
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White for a cleaner look

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

It certainly could be! If you have intense sun on the front of your home, the LRV of Light French Gray will stand up much better than a color with a high LRV (which can wash out). Just make sure your exterior features (stone/brick/roof/etc…) suit the undertones of Light French Gray, which can show up a BIT MORE to the party on some exposures.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

IS LIGHT FRENCH GRAY A POPULAR SHADE OF GRAY?

Light French Gray isn’t SUPER popular right now, but this is because trends are leaning warmer. However, as it relates to exteriors, gray is still on point as it suits a WIDE range of finishes.

And all of this being said, if your home suits gray, and you LOVE it, have at ‘er!

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

GOOD QUESTION! Every color has its own particular nuances and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths.

Colors with similar intentions include…

• Benjamin Moore Perspective CSP-5
• Benjamin Moore Smoke Embers – definitely worth comparing

You can also check out Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles, which is slightly different from Light French Gray as its undertones are more noticeable (slightly).

Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles

WHAT COLORS GO WITH LIGHT FRENCH GRAY?

Light French Gray is a BIT finicky, but you can explore some colors like…

• Slightly cool, lighter gray paint colors with similar undertones
• Blue-green-gray blends
• Gray-blue paint colors
• Light French Gray doesn’t love many greige or taupe paint colors

Not sure if Light French Gray is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

Sherwin Williams On the Rocks Paint Color Review

Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles: Paint Color Review

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Silverplate

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN JUNE 2020, AWESOMELY UPDATED IN 2023

The post Sherwin Williams Light French Gray 0055: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Regarding the most popular DARK gray, greige, and taupe paint colors, Benjamin Moore is the top dog in the gray end of things and holds its own with greige. HOWEVER, in the taupe world, BOTH Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore are lacking. Why? Let’s have a little chat…

WHAT UNDERTONES DO GREIGE & TAUPE HAVE?

When it comes to greige and taupe, there will always be undertones. Like taxes, death, and empty wine bottles, they’re impossible to avoid (and make me cry).

WHAT IS GREIGE?

Is greige more beige, brown, or gray? Good question. Greige is snuggled in tight between gray and beige. Some greiges cater to gray, making them look a bit cooler, whereas others lean into the warmth of beige, making them look warmer. Long story short, it depends on WHICH greige you choose. As for undertones, greige favors a green undertone and more rarely flashes into violet.

In this next photo, Benjamin Moore Graystone is a greige that caters MUCH more to gray than beige…

In the light range, it’s a bit easier to find greiges that have a MINIMAL undertone. But once you hit the darker end of things, they tend to grab a bit more GREEN, meaning few greiges make the cut as they often read more ‘green’ than ‘neutral.’

WHAT IS TAUPE?

Is taupe more beige, brown, or gray? It depends on which color you choose. Just like greige, taupe is in between gray and beige and can lean warmer or cool depending on the blend.  But unlike greige, which leans into green, taupe prefers a VIOLET undertone (sometimes violet-pink) and more rarely flashes into green.

Even in the light range, taupe doesn’t make a secret of its undertones for those sensitive to violet and pink. However, as taupe darkens, you’ll see it pick up more VIOLET and BROWN.

1. BENJAMIN MOORE KINGSPORT GRAY HC-86

TAUPE – NEGLIGIBLE UNDERTONES

I’ve got MAD love for Kingsport Gray. Why? Well, as far as Benjamin Moore goes, it has the LEAST undertone; you could almost call it a NEUTRAL taupe! However, with its lack of commitment comes the chance that it could flex slightly into green. Could you call Kingsport Gray ‘greige’? Well, it depends on the exposure and the surrounding finishes – it’s a bit of a ninja!

Why?

You ask a lot of questions – I like that about you. The LESS committed a colour is to a particular undertone, the more likely it is to shift into another based on exposure, surroundings, light bulbs, etc…

You might be wondering about the DARKER look of Fairview Taupe. Fairview Taupe is often compared to Kingsport, as it sits right above it in the fan deck. While it might have taupe in its name, Fairview Taupe leans pretty hard into beige, to the point where it loses the whole gray-beige blend, and with its increased depth, looks BROWN. This is what we talked about earlier, how taupes often pick up a LOT more brown and/or violet as they darken.

FULL Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Kingsport Gray

2. BENJAMIN MOORE DRAGON’S BREATH 1547

GREIGE – GREEN UNDERTONE

No, we’re not talking about my morning breath; we’re talking about Dragon’s Breath (same-same, really). Dragon’s Breath is a WICKED dark greige with a gorgeous green undertone. If you’ve been doing your research looking at Sherwin William’s greiges as well, this might sound AWFULLY familiar – and it should. Dragon’s Breath is the kissin’ cousin to Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze. However, Dragon’s Breath is a bit warmer and a weeee bit greener.

Dragon’s Breath has an LRV of 7, making it a SUPER dark, wicked pretty choice for exteriors, front doors, cabinets, and even feature walls.

But regardless, in my Online Paint Color Consulting, I RARELY refer to Dragon’s Breath unless a client specifies Benjamin Moore paint only.

Why?

Urbane Bronze is that BIT more subtle in its approach while still getting the point across (unlike me, who is NEVER subtle when I have a point to make).

Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze

Urbane Bronze vs. 6 TOP GREIGE Paint Colors

3. BENJAMIN MOORE STARDUST 2108-40

TAUPE – SUBTLE VIOLET UNDERTONE

Stardust is a beautiful taupe with just a WINK of a warm violet undertone. With an LRV of 23, Stardust has a subtle rich warmth without diving into the brown end.

And while Sherwin Williams is usually my go-to for darker taupes, Stardust is more neutral-looking than most of my fave Sherwin William taupe paint colors. This being said, some might call it taupe, and others might call it a BROWN with gray in it.

Do you love purple when it’s MORE than an undertone?

Check out this blog post: The 9 Best Benjamin Moore Purple Paint Colours

4. BENJAMIN MOORE ROCKPORT GRAY HC-105

GREIGE – GREEN UNDERTONE

Rockport Gray is a WICKED popular greige. Not only does its LRV of 35 make it flexible for walls, cabinets, and exteriors, but its green undertone is also subtle enough that some people don’t even know it’s there!

5 Steps to Picking Your Best Exterior Paint Colour

WANT TO SAVE MONEY SAMPLING PAINT COLORS?

Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location
• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
• If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

5. BENJAMIN MOORE TAOS TAUPE 2111-40

TAUPE/WARM-GRAY – VIOLET UNDERTONE

While Taos Taupe is DEFINITELY a taupe due to its violet undertone, with its reduced warmth, it could easily be mistaken for a warm gray. However, compare it to an ACTUAL warm gray like Benjamin Moore Metropolis, and you’ll see the difference.

Taos Taupe is along similar lines to Stardust with an LRV of 24, making it a great depth for a WIDE variety of surfaces without washing out or looking overly heavy.

Because I’m dedicated to showing you REAL HOMES and only refer to my Online Colour Consulting client’s photos, I don’t have any great examples of this beautiful colour (some photos just come through too low-quality to use). Thank you to those who’ve sent their photos in! 

6. BENJAMIN MOORE GARGOYLE 1546

GREIGE – GREEN UNDERTONE

Gargoyle is picking up where Dragon’s Breath left off but with a slightly SOFTER approach. With an LRV of 17, Gargoyle still has some SERIOUS meat on its bones without the more striking depth of Dragon’s Breath.

Taupe & Greige: What’s the Big Difference?

7. BENJAMIN MOORE WAYNESBORO TAUPE 1544 / ASHLEY GRAY HC 87

TAUPE – MINIMAL UNDERTONE

Two names, same colour. In fact, there’s a THIRD name for this colour – Shenandoah Taupe. Thank you, Benjamin Moore, for confusing your customers.

TOP TO BOTTOM: Ashley Gray / Pashmina / River Reflections

But no matter WHAT you call it, this gorgeous paint colour is a taupe with the MOST PASSIVE UNDERTONE…ever. Ashley Gray has an LRV of 32, putting it smack dab in the middle of the medium depth range and making it flexible towards a wide range of surfaces, from exteriors and cabinets to entire rooms.

In the above photo, notice the shift from Ashley Gray’s passive violet undertone to River Reflection’s subtle green undertone (bottom color) – this shows taupe and greige at their best!

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING, COURSES & E-BOOKS!

8. BENJAMIN MOORE COPLEY GRAY HC-104

GREIGE – GREEN UNDERTONE

Copley Gray sits above Rockport Gray in the fan deck and comes in with a LOWER LRV of 24. However, whereas Rockport Gray nods politely to green, Copley Gray leans in a bit more and picks up a touch more richness/warmth.

And a bonus color…

BENJAMIN MOORE GRAYSTONE 1475

GREIGE – GREEN UNDERTONE

Graystone is a gorgeous choice for cabinets, walls, exteriors, or trims. While it has a green undertone, it’s subtle. And being a more muted warm color, it can read as a warm gray OR a greige.

Benjamin Moore Graystone Color Review

WHAT’S THE MOST POPULAR DARK GREIGE OR TAUPE PAINT COLOR?

With a focus on Benjamin Moore, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray is the TOP choice in the lighter range. But once you get into the DARK end of greige and taupe, there’s no CLEAR winner. However, Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray is reasonably popular AND massively flexible regarding exteriors, feature walls, cabinets, and entire rooms.

Sherwin Williams 6 Best Greige & Taupe Paint Colors

IS GREIGE STILL POPULAR?

HECK, YES! Greige is one of the top paint colors, surpassing gray in many homes. Greige is a great choice for walls, cabinets, front doors, and exteriors, making it HUGELY versatile.

IS TAUPE STILL POPULAR?

Definitely, taupe is one of the more popular neutral paint color choices. And with trends slowly shifting out of gray and into beige, taupe can be a great happy medium for those not wanting to commit to the more drastic warm-cool end of things.

READ MORE

The 12 Best Whole Home Gray & Greige Paint Colours

Sherwin Williams 6 Best Greige & Taupe Paint Colours

How to Create a Timeless Home: 4 Part Series

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn: Paint Color Review

The Best Darker Paint Colours for Cabinets & Vanities

NEED HELP?

CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOUR CONSULTING, COURSES & E-BOOKS! 

Chat soon,

The post The 8 Best DARK Taupe & Greige Paint Colours (Benjamin Moore) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Seriously, I can’t believe I haven’t done a review for this color! Not only is it one of MY favorite warm gray paint colors, but it’s also one of my READER’S faves! That’s it; two slaps with a wet noodl for me.

It can be hard to find a good neutral gray or greige in the off-white range, as they all love to flash creepy undertones of blue, purple, or green – and Classic Gray is NO exception. But, the key to picking a paint color you LOVE is to know what you’re dealing with BEFORE you slap it on the walls, which is why you have me (I’m not JUST good looks, you know…).

IS CLASSIC GRAY WARM OR COOL? GRAY, TAUPE, OR BEIGE?

Classic Gray is an off-white, warm gray with soft, muted, slightly feminine undertones. In some rooms, it leans into its warmth a bit more, but rarely looks legit beige. Between the three neutrals, Classic Gray favors warm gray, but can also pass as a shade of taupe.

WHAT’S THE LRV OF CLASSIC GRAY?

If you’re asking yourself, ‘what the heck is LRV?’ you need to read this, but here’s the gist: LRV refers to how light or dark a color is based on a scale of 0-100, and EVERY paint color has an LRV number. The closer the number is to 100, the lighter the color is. The closer it is to 0, the darker the color is. Done!

Classic Gray, darkened by 25%

Now that THAT’S out of the way, let’s return to Classic Gray. Classic Gray has an LRV of ALMOST 75, which in my crazy lil color world means it’s off-white. And while it might be CLOSE to my magic LRV number, it gives a soft, easy contrast with white trim while still lightening a room up.

However, Classic Grey could feel dingy and flat if you have a dark room. If you have a BRIGHT room, you can expect Classic Gray to wash out quite a bit, but it’s pretty darn gorgeous in a room with average light!

The Ultimate Guideline to Picking Paint Color with LRV

WHAT ARE CLASSIC GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

If you don’t like blue or green undertones, this could be right up your alley! Classic Gray has a very passive violet undertone (violet-pink).

Don’t be scared. While you might’ve focused on the one ‘v-word,’ you might’ve easily missed the other one – passive. Every gray and greige has undertones of blue, green, violet, or a mix. The key is to decide how much undertone you can live with and how sensitive you and your surroundings are to it. I don’t like a violet undertone at all, yet I find Classic Gray VERY liveable when it suits the products in a room (and I have it in our guest bedroom).

Take a look at this next photo. There’s a reason why I chose taupe/greige tiles for the vanity wall – they have the same undertone as Classic Gray, just on a darker level.

Classic Gray darkened by 25%. See more of this AMAZING before and after HERE

Now, once in a blue moon (or a pink one might be more the point), I’ve seen it pick up the TINIEST wink of pink. This has usually been in south-facing rooms, but even then, it’s vague and is more about me being anal.

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH CLASSIC GRAY?

• Benjamin Moore Oxford White or Chantilly Lace
• You can warm things up to Benjamin Moore White Dove, but that subtle warmth can play a bit more into the undertones that are hiding in Classic Gray

Shown above with Sherwin Williams Pure White cabinets

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore WHITE Paint Colors

I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Plus, samples arrive on your DOORSTEP IN 1 DAY!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF CLASSIC GRAY

CLASSIC GRAY IN A NORTH-FACING ROOM

Classic Gray holds itself pretty well in northern light. You’ll see it looking like a simple, soft, warm gray as the northern light can slightly encourage the ‘gray’ in the color, not the subtle warmth of it.

The Best Paint Colors for a North-Facing Room

Regarding the photos above and below, an E-Design client hired me because while she LOVED Classic Gray in the evening light, she found it a bit too cold in the daylight and was looking for a warmer alternative. Here is Classic Gray in the evening with only interior lighting…

It’s fascinating how Classic Gray went from a soft, slightly warm gray to a warm greige, just with the lighting – I LOVE THIS STUFF! I’m also easily amused and a huge color nerd (true and true). Needless to say, I gave her some warmer greige options to consider so she’d love her room day AND nite!

Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood

Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages

CLASSIC GRAY IN A SOUTH-FACING ROOM OR WESTERN AFTERNOON LIGHT

South-facing light is warm and can slightly enhance the soft warmth tucked in Classic Gray; the same goes for afternoon western sunshine (which can go CONSIDERABLY gold).

The Best Paint Colors for South-Facing Rooms

IS CLASSIC GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

Ermmmm, probably not. You can give it a go, but don’t be surprised if those violet-pink undertones come up a wink more. At this depth (unless you live in a shaded area), you can expect it to REALLY wash out in the sunshine.

However, if its undertones are awesome with your stone, brick, and roof, the front of your home doesn’t get absolutely PUMMELLED with sunshine, and you partner it with bright white trim, it can be pretty!

5 Steps to Picking Exterior Paint Colors

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO CLASSIC GRAY?

When it comes to getting a perfect match, you won’t find one as there will ALWAYS be undertones, depth, and temperature shifts. For a similar approach, you can check out…

• Sherwin Williams Incredible White
• Sherwin Williams Egret White
• Sherwin Williams City Loft
• Benjamin Moore Silver Satin

COMPARING CLASSIC GRAY TO OTHER POPULAR WARM GRAYS & TAUPES

When finding your best paint color, NOTHING matters more than comparison. These are just a few neutrals I regularly compare Classic Gray with regularly…

CLASSIC GRAY VS BALBOA MIST

Classic Gray and Balboa Mist are similar in that they both have soft violet (violet-pink) undertones. However, Balboa Mist is a bit darker and a bit grayer. Because of this, its violet undertone can sometimes show up at the party a bit more.

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist

CLASSIC GRAY VS PALE OAK

Classic Gray and Pale Oak are ALWAYS being compared as they’re both gentle, subtle approaches to the gray and taupe worlds. Pale Oak is warmer than Classic Gray, which means its violet-pink undertone can shift into PINK-violet much easier (where pink is the more dominant undertone). Its undertones can also show up a bit more than those in Classic Gray.

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

Stay tuned for a FULL blog post on Classic Gray’s best comparables!

IS CLASSIC GRAY A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

You must be careful with Classic Gray, as it often looks warmer than expected on cabinets (especially if alkyd or enamel are used). Also, because of its LRV/depth, it’s trickier to find a coordinating wall color. LONG STORY SHORT, it’s not a hard no; it’s a ‘be careful.’

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

WILL CLASSIC GRAY LOOK DINGY?

This is open to perception. Compared to a cool or stormy gray, yes, Classic Gray can look a bit dingy, but this is because it has a nice warmth. In the case of Classic Gray, I don’t see ‘dingy’ as a bad thing at all.

IS CLASSIC GRAY TOO BEIGE?

If you’re worried about Classic Gray looking too beige, compare it to Benjamin Moore Maritime White, which IS a beige (a muted one). Yes, Classic Gray has warm tendencies, but the only times I’d expect to see beige are a) in the later afternoon golden sunshine (which can turn almost any color more golden) and b) if you partner it with finishes that NEED a cooler approach to gray.

WHAT CABINET COLOR GOES WITH CLASSIC GRAY WALLS?

I’m a big fan of the simplicity of Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace with Classic Gray. This bright white shows off the beauty of Classic Gray. If I go darker, Benjamin Moore Metropolis is the first place I look, although it can look STUNNING with shades of gray-blue too.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH CLASSIC GRAY?

If you’re making a color palette, explore…

• slightly darker shades of warm grays-violet
• mid-toned gray-blues and gray-greens
• the classic look of WHITE!

Not sure if Classic Gray is right for you? Then check these bad boys out…

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak

The 8 Best WARM Gray Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Egret White

Color Review: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

Are Gray Paint Colors & Finishes STILL TRENDY?

Not sure which paint color is best for you and YOUR home?

Check out my fun E-DESIGN – I’d love to help! 

Chat soon,

Written in 2019, updated in 2023

The post BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY 1548: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to white paint colors, you’ll be hard-pressed to find one that’s more talked about than Benjamin Moore’s Cloud White. It’s not just the versatility of this white that keeps it top of mind, it’s the fact that it’s been kickin’ for a looooong time in the wild world of white, and there are good reasons for that, so let’s jump in…

WHAT COLOR IS CLOUD WHITE – IS IT WARM OR COOL?

Cloud White is a WARM white paint color. It’s one of the most popular whites because it sits in a great place between ones that are a bit TOO warm, with more yellow in them, and whites that are more crisp and clean. But regardless, it’s important to pick the white paint color that best suits the particular finishes in your home.

Cloud White with Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

If you have north-facing or afternoon eastern light, you may find that Cloud White is a nice soft way to balance out that cooler, flatter light. If you have south-facing light or afternoon western light, Cloud White can look a bit warmer.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF CLOUD WHITE?

Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05 (its old LRV was 87, but it’s been updated), so it’s getting up there. It’s not quite as white as Benjamin Moore Simply White, but it’s whiter than one of my FAVE go-to white paint colors, Benjamin Moore White Dove.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paint Colors with LRV

WHAT ARE CLOUD WHITE’S UNDERTONES?

The undertones of Cloud White are very soft, with a subtle focus on yellow (which is what makes it a WARM white). However, Cloud White doesn’t have a clear yellow look as a neutral base calms it down, making it popular for trims, walls, and cabinets.

Benjamin Moore Navajo White walls with Cloud White trim

Sherwin Williams Wool Skein walls with Cloud White moldings

CHECK OUT CLOUD WHITE WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE.

However, whereas I usually put white paper around my off-white and darker samples, when it comes to white paint samples, I only compare them to ‘paper-white’ for a quick second. Paper-white will ENHANCE and over-expose the look of Cloud White, bringing out its warm undertones – the same undertones that can settle back on a larger scale, when NOT compared to a cleaner white.

Judge Cloud White on its own merits, not how it compares to a clean or cool white.

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Cloud White!

A Real-Life Review of SAMPLIZE

See the full Cloud White kitchen makeover HERE

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH CLOUD WHITE WALLS?

If your walls are Cloud White, your best bet is to paint your trim and/or cabinets Cloud White too.

Why?

I love the passive warmth of Cloud White – emphasis on passive. The thing is, if you partner it with a different white on your trim or cabinets, this new white will likely showcase the warmth of Cloud White more, making it look more yellow. Cloud White is at its BEST when partnered with itself (or a non-white). I would rather let the shift in paint sheen do the magical work rather than mixing and matching whites.

This next photo is a great example…

Notice the walls (Cloud White) vs the trim and pantry door. Because the door is brighter and whiter than Cloud White, it makes Cloud White look more yellow in comparison. ‘In comparison’ is an important statement; if the door and trims were also Cloud White, it could look LESS yellow as it wouldn’t be directly compared to a brighter white.

Again, in this next photo, compare the brighter white ceiling to the Cloud White walls. And this isn’t to say it’s a BAD look, as both rooms look beautiful! It’s just an important detail if you’re worried about Cloud White being too yellow…

In this next home, because Cloud White isn’t being directly compared to a brighter, cleaner white, it looks more muted and subtle…

My blog is 99.9% powered by my Online Paint Color Consulting clients and their photos – thank you for sending them in; you make my colorful world go round! 

IS CLOUD WHITE A GOOD WHITE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

It depends. Cloud White suits many laminate countertops from the 90s and early 2000s, as well as granite countertops. MOST of the time, it’s a bit too yellow for marble and today’s most popular white quartz countertops.

In this next photo, Cloud White is on the trim and cabinets with Formica Soapstone, one of my UBER FAVE laminate countertops…

We saved a TON of money with laminate on the perimeter and quartz on the island only! See it all HERE

The 3 Best Warm White Paint Colors

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

WHAT SHERWIN WILLIAMS’ PAINT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO CLOUD WHITE?

There will never be a perfect match between brands, ESPECIALLY if you want to color match. Expect shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths. However, there are some shades of white with similar intentions, but different approaches…

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster is the most equivalent to Cloud White, although it’s not as white.
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams Greek Villa
• Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Sherwin Williams Alabaster

IS CLOUD WHITE THE MOST POPULAR SHADE OF WHITE?

While it’s not the best in MY books, it’s definitely in the top five. When it comes to whites, unless the products in a space NEED more warmth, I’m more inclined towards a more muted white, along the lines of Benjamin Moore White Dove or even Sherwin Williams Pure White.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

While these aren’t THE most popular questions, they do pop up once in a while…

WILL CLOUD WHITE LOOK YELLOW OR GREEN?

Yes, Cloud White CAN look yellow if you compare it to a clean or cool white (i.e., white appliances). And as mentioned earlier, it can look more yellow/creamy if you partner it with whiter cabinets or trim.

Another way to enhance the warmth of Cloud White (if you’re so inclined) is to partner it with a cooler color like Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. The cool blue-green hue of Sea Salt brings out the yellow in Cloud White a bit more than usual – great for a coastal look…

As for exposures, if you have south-facing light, Cloud White can lean even more into its warmth courtesy of that lovely southern sunshine (same with the afternoon western sun). However, in a north-facing room (or eastern afternoons), the warmth of Cloud White can help to balance off some of the flat, gray light.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

Regarding green undertones, Cloud White doesn’t look green, but if it does, it’s likely being reflected from the outside (grass/trees – which is what any white will do).

In this next photo, notice how Cloud White looks on the cabinet that’s DIRECTLY to the left of the window…that’s the landscaping color reflecting onto it.

CLOUD WHITE vs. WHITE DOVE

Many people want to know if Cloud White is whiter than White Dove, and the answer is YES. While there isn’t a huge difference, Cloud White has an LRV of 85.05 to White Dove’s 83.16. This difference makes Cloud White a touch brighter. As for undertones, Cloud White has a slightly more noticeable yellow undertone than White Dove, although, all things considered, both are pretty darn subtle.

In this next photo, White Dove looks softer and more muted, whereas Cloud White looks brighter.

And while White Dove does look creamier in this image, don’t be fooled; Cloud White’s yellow undertone is definitely there (we’d see it more if the trim were a brighter white).

Not sure if Cloud White is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing White Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

UPDATED IN 2023 FOR PHOTOS & CONTENT

The post Benjamin Moore CLOUD WHITE OC-130 or CC-40: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Black is ABSOLUTELY on trend, and I don’t see it going anywhere anytime soon. Whether on exteriors, cabinets, doors, or feature walls, this statement color is a great way to add contrast and personality to your home. However, trendy or not, will this beautiful black actually SUIT your home? Let’s find out.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

IS TRICORN BLACK A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

Tricorn Black is a pretty legit shade of black, which means it has no obvious warm or cool undertones. It’s a classic, timeless shade that pairs well with SO many colors and styles – it’s said that every room needs a touch of black!  It’s also worth noting that Tricorn Black can appear slightly lighter or darker depending on the lighting in your space.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S TRICORN BLACK’S LRV?

With an LRV of 3, Tricorn Black is pretty darn DARK. While the scale technically DOES go to 0, in our useable paint world, 3 is the lowest LRV/blackest color available. This low of an LRV means it absorbs almost ALL light that hits it. So, Tricorn is as black as it comes.

Want to learn more about what an LRV is? It could help you fully understand depth – read all about it HERE.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best Paint NUMBER for Your Home – 62

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room

DOES TRICORN BLACK HAVE UNDERTONES?

Nope! Tricorn Black’s LACK of undertones is what makes it so flexible. Whether for a feature wall, island, or front door, this black is often a quick win in the color world.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING TRICORN BLACK WITH PEEL & STICK

I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH TRICORN BLACK?

Any white can go with Tricorn black! However, the white you choose depends on the LOOK you want and what suits the finishes in your room. If your home has warmer accents, look at the following:

• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore Simply White

If a room has cooler accents, try out these lovely shades…

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams High Reflective White

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS TRICORN BLACK A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

If you’re considering painting your home black, Tricorn Black is a GREAT place to start. While many people land on the softer black approach of Sherwin William’s Iron Ore, it’s subtle green undertone can be an unwelcome surprise (or a good one!). Tricorn Black is a color for those who want a LEGIT, striking approach to black with no obvious undertones.

And don’t forget; Tricorn Black is also great for exterior trim, shutters, and front doors!

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS TRICORN BLACK A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

You betcha! However, bold dark colors are more often seen as accents, like kitchen islands.

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO TRICORN BLACK?

When choosing the best shade of black for your home, comparison is KEY. Don’t be afraid to explore other colors to see how undertones, temperatures, and LRVs shift…

• Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10
• Sherwin Williams Iron Ore
• Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

And remember to make your life EASIER by using Peel & Stick samples – and they’re eco-friendly too!

The 8 Best Black Paint Colors

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

While these questions aren’t as popular as the previous ones, there’s still a bunch of you wanting to know…

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH TRICORN BLACK?

The question should REALLY be, ‘Which paint colors DON’T go with Tricorn Black?‘

The list of paint colors that go with Tricorn Black is long, so it’s silly even to start it!

As for which colors DON’T –  I’m yet to find one, as it would depend on the SITUATION and the look you’re going for as to what color partner is best.

IS TRICORN BLACK TOO BLACK?

Wellll, if you’re looking for black, this will do the job. If you’re looking for a SOFTER black, then yes, Tricorn Black could be too dark for you. Instead, check out Sherwin Williams Iron Ore or Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron.

IS TRICORN BLACK A TRUE BLACK?

Tricorn Black is about as black as it gets, as a true black (i.e., Vantablack) isn’t available to the retail paint market.

WHAT’S THE BEST BLACK PAINT COLOR FOR FURNITURE?

I’ve painted a LOT of furniture, and hands down, Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black and Benjamin Moore Black 2132-10 are my go-to blacks.

READ MORE

The 8 Best Black Paint Colors

The 6 Best Dark Taupe & Greige Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams

Sherwin Williams Iron Ore Paint Color Review

Benjamin Moore’s 10 Best Dark Gray Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS TRICORN BLACK 6258: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

HOT DAMN…literally. I did not see this one coming! It turns out that Benjamin Moore is throwing down the gauntlet with another ‘game-changing’ colour of the year. That’s right, we’re going RED!

And not just any red. Whereas some trendy reds lean on orange, giving an earthy, rusty appearance, this red is one blazing hot, glorious shade. Let me introduce you to…

Not familiar with it? Well, if you haven’t visited Paris’ fashion shows (oh pshaw!), painted your front door, or wanted to add a little hot SPICE to the bedroom, you’ve probably skipped over this one.

But that doesn’t mean you should…

Caliente is part of the Affinity Colour Collection, which is well-known for having colors that are deeper and more involved than your ‘everyday’ paint colour. The average color is made up of, say, 3-4 tints. The Affinity colors can be made up of 7-8, making them hard to colour match and super versatile!

Caliente is a ravishing red (takes one to know one – wink wink), and unlike the reds of yesteryear, it doesn’t lean into the orange range, which means we’re avoiding the earthy-rusty effect. However, it’s not a terribly COLD red because it isn’t overly blue-toned. It really just sits nicely in a more intimate range, rather than being shocking or abrasive.

But that doesn’t mean you have to like it…

Any colour and where it looks good depends on a variety of things, such as the room, the exposure, and the products in the room. However, with the Caliente, in particular, it REALLY comes down to personal tastes.

I’ve found that people either LOVE red or hate it. Many people can handle it as an accent but would be hesitant to commit to it on a scale larger than an apple or underwear. And then there are others who wouldn’t HESITATE to paint their entire room a rip-roarin’ red or, at the very least, an accent wall! (Personally, the only red I’ll be splashing on my walls tastes an awful lot like wine, in which case I’ll be licking my walls shortly).

So, with that being said, let’s take a closer look at Caliente to see if it could work for you…

WHAT’S THE LRV OF CALIENTE?

Caliente DOES pack a punch with an LRV of 8.82! This means it’s in the darker range and will add a sultry, sexy look to your walls – but let’s keep things PG here, people.

However, whereas many colors with this low LRV can read flat or dark, thanks to Caliente’s intense color (chroma), there’s nothing drab about it.

 The Ultimate Guide to LRV and Choosing Paint Colours 

WHERE DOES CALIENTE (OR RED) WORK BEST?

There are a lot of places where Caliente will work. There are two good reasons why Caliente is a super flexible, versatile shade of red…

1. while it’s a striking shade, it’s not obnoxious like a primary red
2. it’s more fresh and striking than a more country, rustic red

A RED FRONT DOOR

SHUT THE FRONT DOOR – DO YOU WANT TO HEAT THE WHOLE NEIGHBOURHOOD – sorry, flashback to my childhood.

Really, though, I’m not a red fan, but this entryway TOTALLY does it for me. I think it’s the contrast with the white and gray and adequate natural lighting – it’s pretty striking!

Because I haven’t had clients use Caliente, and I don’t ‘borrow’ from other Designers, I don’t have images of Caliente in action. These are photos from the Benjamin Moore site.

USING RED IN ACCESSORIES & ACCENTS

This might be where I’d land if adding red to my home. And while I prefer a more rustic red, I can see how this fresh red is TOTALLY appealing in a room like this!

A RED ACCENT WALL

Accent or feature walls are a great way to add personality to a room without committing a) long term and b) large scale.

However, if you love all things red (including me), you might be RED-Y to commit to it in an entire room, in which case red can look SMASHING in…

A SMALL ROOM IN RED

Small rooms such as powder rooms are the BEST place to add personality and leave your guests with a lasting impression!

3 Ideas to Add Personality to a Small Bathroom

RED IN THE BEDROOM

Personally, I don’t need to add any more reason for Tim to get fired up for the pants-off-dance-off, so I’ll be avoiding this one for sure.

RED IN THE DINING ROOM

According to color psychology, a red like Caliente is great for the appetite!

So whatcha think – does it float ‘yer boat, or are you more comfortable with a daring shade of navy blue or a moody dark green?

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF CALIENTE HERE! 

CALIENTE (or almost any red) & HOW TO USE IT

• It can help to jazz up a cooler north-facing room or FURTHER enhance the warmth of a south-facing room
• It looks stunning with a lot of wood tones, but I might avoid overly orange-toned woods
• It will benefit from a good coat of primer before you jump into the real painting
• Consider a matte or, at the most, eggshell finish. Red can get a bit garish on walls if they’re too glossy
• On a door, satin is a beautiful, durable finish for a red like Caliente

CALIENTE vs. HERITAGE RED

No color should be chosen before comparing it to other similar shades. As for Heritage Red, it’s similar to Caliente in that they’re both reasonably powerful shades of red. However, they differ in that Heritage Red is lighter, with an LRV Of 10.26, to Caliente’s darker of 8.82. This isn’t a HUGE difference, but it’s noticeable when you compare the two colors. If I’m looking for a rockin’ red, I prefer Caliente to the slightly softer look of Heritage Red.

CALIENTE VS MILLION DOLLAR RED

Million Dollar Red is another popular shade of red thanks to its intensity – nodding towards the ‘primary red’ end. The great thing about comparing Caliente with Million Dollar Red is that MDR shows you how Caliente is powerful, but not SHOCKINGLY so. Million Dollar Red is awesome if you want a more genuine approach to red. However, Caliente is a great way to get red without getting slapped in the face with it.

Besides being a cleaner version of red, Million Dollar Red is a good shot lighter than Caliente, with its LRV of 12.58 (to Caliente’s 8.82).

READ MORE

The 9 Best Front Door Paint Colors

The 6 Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

Kylie’s Colours of the Year: Real People Real Homes

Colour Review: Behr Quiet Moments

Not sure which colour to pick for YOUR room? 

Check out my E-DESIGN packages – they’re affordable AND fun! 

Chat soon,

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2017, UPDATED IN 2023

The post Benjamin Moore Caliente AF-290: Color Review (2018 Colour of the Year) appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Sandwiched between the best warm gray paint colors, and popular cool grays is this lovely little color called Nimbus. While this color doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, I’m here to bring it out into the open where it belongs!

I only use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients to show you relatable and real homes. 

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS NIMBUS – IS IT WARM OR COOL?

While it can be hard to tell just eyeballin’ it, Nimbus is a SLIGHTLY warm gray paint color. If you have a north-facing light, it will look more like a cool shade of gray, and its undertones (coming shortly) could be a bit more exposed. However, if you have south-facing or warm afternoon western light, it will lean more into its warmth without going ANYWHERE near taupe; it’s not THAT warm.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF NIMBUS?

Nimbus has an LRV of 59.4 (let’s call it 60 for our sanity), putting it in the light depths. A light gray with this LRV will wash out a bit in intense light but won’t be so heavy that it weighs a room down. However, if you have a DARK room, it could look a bit flat (learn more HERE).

However, being only slightly warm, Nimbus isn’t a cozy gray – you need more warm, brown undertones than Nimbus offers. Benjamin Moore Collingwood is warmer than Nimbus, but really, grays like this aren’t meant to be terribly ‘cozy’- they’re just not COLD.

Sherwin Williams Big Chill / Sherwin Williams Silverplate / Benjamin Moore Nimbus

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE THE UNDERTONES IN NIMBUS? IS IT NEUTRAL?

Just because a color is a NEUTRAL, doesn’t mean it’s lacking COLOR. There IS no useable true NEUTRAL gray so that you will see undertones in Nimbus, particularly a hint of violet! However, while the undertones can be slightly noticeable if you’re overly sensitive to undertones, they aren’t remotely overwhelming. In fact, more so than green or blue undertones, violet undertones tend to suit more interior finishes, including quartz countertops that mimic the look of marble, SOME beige tiles, and a wide range of wood tones.

Remember, the less undertone a color has, the more likely it is to pick up other colors for its surrounding environment. Green landscaping outside can toss green undertones on your walls. The same goes with afternoon western sunshine, which can add a golden glow to almost any well-intentioned neutral!

Before, with its green undertone, Benjamin Moore Horizon was the wrong shade of gray for the tile in this bathroom…

After, Nimbus hits JUST the spot!

SAMPLING NIMBUS WITH PEEL & STICK

SAMPLIZE offers peel & stick paint samples that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF NIMBUS HERE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH NIMBUS?

Nimbus is only slightly fussy about white paint colors. If you already have white trim, make sure it’s not too warm/yellow/creamy, as Nimbus won’t be happy. Instead, focus on shades of white with passive warmth or are closer to the true white range.

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove – probably as warm as you should go

Benjamin Moore’s Best White Paint Colors

IS BM NIMBUS A GOOD LIGHT GRAY FOR AN EXTERIOR?

Nimbus CAN work on an exterior, but expect to see its slight purple undertones. Many exteriors SUIT this undertone, thanks to their particular brick, stone, roof, or driveway finish, so don’t let the sight of it dissuade you.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO NIMBUS?

While you will see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths, several grays are worth comparing with Nimbus, such as…

• Sherwin Williams On the Rocks vs. Nimbus. On the Rocks is a touch stormier and cooler than Nimbus. The violet undertone can be slightly more noticeable as well. As for depth, they’re similar, but On the Rocks is a bit lighter, with its LRV of 62.
• Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray vs. Nimbus. These two are very similar in looks, and depth! Agreeable Gray is a bit warmer than Nimbus. Whereas Nimbus caters to a mild violet hue, Agreeable Gray is more flexible and can pick up a wink of green or violet – of the two; Agreeable Gray tends to look more neutral. Agreeable Gray could be a great tweak if Nimbus’s undertone makes you nervous.
• Nimbus vs. Benjamin Moore Collingwood. Just as On the Rock is a bit cooler than Nimbus, Collingwood is a bit warmer, and still shares the same hint of violet. Collingwood is also a bit lighter than Nimbus (only by a wink), with its LRV of 62. You have a great spread to compare and choose from between these three. However, if you want something a bit LIGHTER…
• Nimbus vs. Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist. Balboa Mist is a popular shade of gray that’s considerably LIGHTER than Nimbus, with an LRV of 66. And while they’re both warm grays, Balboa Mist can have slightly more noticeable violet (violet-pink) undertones.

WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH NIMBUS?

Nimbus is a bit finicky – you want to be careful about which colors you throw in a palette with it…

• Subtle off-white paint colors with MINIMAL undertones, like Sherwin Williams Heron Plume and Benjamin Moore Silver Satin. Off-whites with too much color will overwhelm Nimbus. Benjamin Moore Classic Gray is also a pretty partner.
• Blue-gray blends can be beautiful with Nimbus, especially those with LRVs lower than 40, as they act like accents (accent wall/decor/etc…).
• Some light stormy gray paint colors with blue-green undertones can be BEAUTIFUL with Nimbus if you’re painting an adjoining room.
• Avoid shades of beige that are DARKER than Nimbus, as the warm-cool balance will be off (any beige should be LIGHTER than Nimbus, not darker). Even then, not many beiges or tans make the cut with Nimbus. An off-white beige like Sherwin Williams Aesthetic White could be one of your best options.
• Dark shades of gray with a violet undertone can be gorgeous, but so can those with green or blue hues – almost any dark charcoal gray will do! Use these colors as accent colors on feature walls.
• A darker greige with a noticeable green undertone, like Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze is a STUNNING accent to Nimbus. Consider it for your kitchen island, living room accent wall, the inside of your front door, or ANYWHERE YOU LIKE!

READ MORE

Benjamin Moore’s Best Gray Paint Colors

Is Gray Still Trendy on Cabinets, Walls, & Exteriors?

Full Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Benjamin Moore Nimbus 1465: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When choosing the best shade of blue for your walls, cabinets, or exterior, you’ve likely come across colors like Hale Navy, Newburyport Blue, and Cyberspace. But there’s one blue that doesn’t get NEARLY enough recognition, and that’s Van Deusen Blue. This is why we’re looking closely at this color to see if it’s what you and your home have been searching for…

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but I DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

IS VAN DEUSEN BLUE A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

Van Deusen Blue is definitely a cool blue paint color. However, while light, cool paint colors can feel a bit icy, because of Van Deusen’s lower LRV, it can look cozy in the right space!

South or west-facing rooms, in particular, could love Van Deusen’s color and depth as it will add balance to these types of spaces (ones that get warm natural light).

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S VAN DEUSEN BLUE’S LRV?

Van Deusen Blue has an LRV of 11.97. This means it’s a darkISH blue, but not one of the heavy hitters like Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, and Sherwin Williams Cyberspace.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Best Paint NUMBER for Your Home – 62

The Best LIGHT Paint Colors for a DARK room

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES VAN DEUSEN BLUE HAVE?

Van Deusen Blue’s undertones are some of the most FLEXIBLE because they don’t cater hard to green or violet. However, for it to work in your home, your finishes need to support this, as many finishes NEED a more definitive blue-violet or blue-green.

When looking for your home’s best blue, it’s about figuring out whether your home caters to a blue-violet, a blue-green or needs something that can flex either way. How do you figure this out? Look at your surrounding finishes. If your finishes contain blue, what TYPE of blue is it? If you have a lot of gray, which undertone does your gray cater to? These are just a few ways to figure out which blue is best.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING VAN DEUSEN BLUE WITH PEEL & STICK

I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLORS GO WITH VAN DEUSEN BLUE?

Because of its lower LRV and degree of color, Van Deusen Blue humors a bunch of beautiful white paint colors, such as:

• Chantilly Lace OC-65
• Simply White OC-117
• White Dove OC-17

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

3 Steps to Picking the Best White Paint Color

IS VAN DEUSEN BLUE A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Van Deusen could be gorgeous for the exterior of your home. Because it’s not a DARK navy blue, it can look a touch more coastal and offers a wicked pretty contrast with white trim.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS VAN DEUSEN BLUE A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

I would definitely paint my cabinets Van Deusen Blue, as long as it’s the right blue for the countertop/backsplash. Van Deusen Blue is also a gorgeous color for a kitchen island or bathroom vanity.

Why?

Some people find blues like Hale Navy and Cheating Heart too dark – they want navy blue without the visual WEIGHT. And while Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue can be a good happy medium, sometimes Van Deusen hits the spot!

The Best Shades of Blue for Cabinets, Islands, Accent Walls, & Front Doors

The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO VAN DEUSEN BLUE?

Several colors compare to Van Deusen Blue. And while no color is a perfect match, you can easily shift a bit darker/bluer/grayer with the following shades…

• Benjamin Moore Anchor Gray
• Benjamin Moore Evening Dove
• Sherwin Williams Indigo Batik

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH VAN DEUSEN BLUE?

Where do I even START? Van Deusen Blue is relatively easy to please when coordinating paint colors…

• stormy cool shades of gray like Sherwin Williams Big Chill
• subtle warm grays with violet undertones
• many popular shades of cream
• almost any shade of white
• shades of green with similar degrees of gray in them

READ MORE

The 10 Best Blue-Gray Paint Colours: Calming, Relaxing & Cool

BENJAMIN MOORE HALE NAVY: Paint Color Review

The 3 Undertones of Cool Gray Paint Colors

The 8 Best Blue-Green Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post BENJAMIN MOORE VAN DEUSEN BLUE HC-156: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to the best gray paint colors, Kingsport Gray isn’t at the top of the list, but that’s because it’s not gray! That’s right, Kingsport Gray should be named Kingsport TAUPE, and today, we’re going to look at why it’s one of my fave neutral paint colors.

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need (hence the ‘QUICK Review’), but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

WHAT COLOR IS KINGSPORT GRAY? GREIGE, GRAY, OR TAUPE?

Kingsport Gray is a tricky one, as it CAN look like a TAUPE paint color, but it easily shifts into the greige world depending on its surroundings. One thing is ISN’T is gray, regardless of its name. Being a taupe (greige), it’s a WARM paint color and warmer than most in this range.

The above is true, especially with south-facing or western afternoon sunshine. On the other hand, in northern light, expect Kingsport’s warmth to sit back a bit without going away.

Why is Kingsport Gray hard to label?

The less a color commits to an undertone, the more likely it is to grab the opposite one. So, whereas some taupes commit HARD to violet, and some greiges are legit green, Kingsport Gray is a bit of a chameleon and can offer a unique versatility in its lack of commitment. LONG STORY SHORT (as usual), it’s one of those neutrals you could EASILY see as being taupe OR greige.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF KINGSPORT GRAY?

Kingsport Gray has an LRV of 25.05, making it a VERY SOLID, medium-depth paint color.

In the above photo, my Online Color Consulting client hired me to find a feature wall color that would work with her beige walls and the greige/taupe carpet you can JUST see a wink of at the top of the stairs. DONE! The LRV of Kingsport Gray makes it a GREAT option for a feature wall, as it’s not too soft NOR too heavy for a darker room.

NEVER HEARD OF LRV? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE KINGSPORT GRAY’S UNDERTONES?

As discussed earlier, Kingsport Gray is a ninja. While it’s a taupe, it doesn’t really CATER hard to violet OR green. If I had to PICK, sure, it leans just a wink purple-taupe, but I mean that so fractionally I’m just being anal.

But one thing you’ll NEVER see Kingsport Gray do is to look gray. If you do, that’s more about your perception than the color itself, as it’s lovely and warm (compare it to Chelsea Gray to see a more legit gray, and even it’s fractionally warm).

CHECK OUT KINGSPORT GRAY WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK

I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Get your PEEL & STICK sample here! 

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH KINGSPORT GRAY?

Oh, our King does prefer the warmer end of things, with whites such as…

• Benjamin Moore White Dove (fave)
• Benjamin Moore Cloud White
• Benjamin Moore Oxford White

Benjamin Moore’s Best Warm White Paint Colors

IS KINGSPORT GRAY A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?

If you’re looking for a warm gray or a more typical taupe/greige look, Kingsport Gray probably won’t hit your happy spot as it will be too warm. While it will look a BIT less warm in northern light, Kingsport Gray is more likely to read like a soft brown on an exterior vs. a greige or taupe.

BUT, if this works for your home (it can be great with a wide range of roofs, stones, and bricks), it can be a STUNNING exterior color choice!

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

WHERE IS KINGSPORT GRAY MOST POPULAR?

With its particular depth, Kingsport Gray looks ESPECIALLY good on…

• kitchen cabinets and islands
• bathroom vanities
• feature walls
• exteriors

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO KINGSPORT GRAY

Every taupe has its own look; some are warmer, some grayer. You can also expect to see a shift in undertones and depths. HOWEVER, comparing colors is the best way to find your home’s best option, so check these bad boys out…

If you want to read more color reviews to compare your options, here are the links…

• Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray
• Sherwin Williams Mega Greige

I’m working on getting the other colors added to my Color Review section – stay tuned!

WHAT COLORS GO WITH KINGSPORT GRAY?

Generally speaking, Kingsport Gray does well with…

• some of the more modern muted beige paint colors
• medium-toned gray-blue blends (more here)
• DARK gray paint colors, especially with a green or blue undertone
• some darker navy blue paint colors

And much more!

Not sure if Kingsport Gray is right for you? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

The 6 Best DARK Greige & Taupe Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Metropolis

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Keystone Gray

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray

NEED ADVICE?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

originally written in 2021, updated in 2023

Chat soon,

The post BENJAMIN MOORE KINGSPORT GRAY HC-86: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to the best white paint colors, Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is definitely in my top three. It’s earned its place time and time again by looking captivating on cabinets, wicked on walls, and tremendous on trim! There isn’t a lot that White Dove CAN’T do, but this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some particular quirks (don’t we all…).

IS BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE A WARM OR COOL WHITE?

White Dove is a WARM white paint color. It’s not overly creamy/yellow (depending on who you ask, this IS a subjective point), but it’s DEFINITELY not close to the border of being a legit ‘white’ – it’s softer than that. But most importantly, White Dove is NOT an off-white paint color.

If you have north-facing light, White Dove can be a nice soft balance to the cool light coming in your windows. With south-facing or afternoon western light, you may find White Dove leaning that bit more into its warmth.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

White Dove trim with lightened Edgecomb Gray walls

WHAT’S THE LRV OF WHITE DOVE?

White Dove USED to have an LRV of 85.38. However, changes are afoot, and the new LRV is 83.16 – very curious. Either way, White Dove is a WHITE, not an off-white. However, having this slightly lower LRV, White Dove is softer than many of the popular brighter shades of white.

Not sure what LRV is? It’s a GAME-CHANGER in the paint-pickin’ world – read all about it HERE.

NEED HELP? Check out my ONLINE PAINT COLOR SERVICES! 

WHAT ARE WHITE DOVES UNDERTONES? WILL IT LOOK YELLOW?

Many people turn to White Dove expecting ‘a relatively true white’, but as discussed earlier, it has warmth and softness compared to some of the other popular whites.  So YES, if you’re overly sensitive to yellow, you might find it too much. However, I DON’T love yellow or cream paint colors for my own home, but I have White Dove plastered all over it and LOVE it. The key is to not partner it with a white that’s WHITER than it.

You might not even notice White Dove’s warmth in a small sample. However, if you partner it with products that are a starker/cleaner white, such as white appliances, a cool-toned marble, or a white subway tile backsplash, it could look more yellow-cream just in COMPARISON.

Situations where White Dove can look slightly more yellow…

• White Dove can look even warmer in south-facing light and pick up some more yellow, but so can a LOT of whites – south-facing light is powerful.

• If you partner it with a cool-toned marble or some standard ‘white’ quartz countertops.

• If you have white appliances, White Dove can look considerably more yellow in COMPARISON to your white appliances.

WILL WHITE DOVE LOOK GRAY?

White Dove doesn’t WANT to look gray, being a soft, warm white, but your exposure or lack of quality lighting could have it looking gray – this is about the surroundings, NOT the paint color itself.

However, when partnered with products with slightly softer tones, it can fall back and look a bit more subtle…

With Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter cabinets

Kylie M E-Design / Lewis Remodelling / Rick Pharaoh Photography

WILL WHITE DOVE LOOK DINGY?

This is open to perception. White Dove is a grounded, more muted, warm white. This neutral base cuts back on the degree of YELLOW you see. If you clean that up, you’ll see more yellow (i.e., Benjamin Moore Simply White). It’s about choosing the look you want. Long story short, White Dove can look dingy compared to a cleaner or cooler white, but it looks softer and warmer compared to a more muted white like Sherwin Williams Pure White.

If any of the above worries you, White Dove MIGHT not be the right white for you and your room.

Decorating a Kitchen With White Appliances

The 3 Best White Paint Colors for a North-Facing Room

ARE THERE PEEL & STICK SAMPLES FOR WHITE DOVE?

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE.

However, whereas I usually put white paper around my off-white and darker samples, when it comes to white paint samples, I only compare them to ‘paper-white’ for a quick second. Paper-white will ENHANCE and over-expose the look of White Dove, bringing out its warm undertones. These same undertones can settle back on a larger scale when NOT compared to a cleaner white.

Judge White Dove on its own merits, not how it compares to a clean or cool white.

IS WHITE DOVE POPULAR?

Yes, White Dove is THE most popular white paint color. With its versatility for walls, trims, cabinets, ceilings, doors, and exteriors, there’s not much that White Dove can’t do!

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH WHITE DOVE?

• If you have White Dove walls, consider painting your cabinets and trim White Dove as well.

• With White Dove cabinets, your walls and trim should also be White Dove.

• If you have White Dove trim and want white walls or cabinets, consider painting them White Dove as well.

White Cabinets, Walls, & Trims: Do They ALL Need to Match?

Notice some consistency in the above three points? That’s right; if you’re painting one surface white, it’s usually BEST to continue with the same white so you don’t have clashing undertones. This will keep things consistent, and you can let the shift in PAINT SHEEN do the work for you rather than messing around with undertones.

How to Pick the Best White for Your Home

If you choose to paint your trim/cabinets a white that’s BRIGHTER (higher LRV) than White Dove, this white could make White Dove look warmer/more yellow in comparison.

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS WHITE DOVE A GOOD PAINT COLOR FOR CABINETS?

ABSOLUTELY! But you must ensure it’s the right TYPE of white for your countertop, backsplash, or flooring. White Dove can be too warm for some quartz countertops and marble backsplashes but not quite warm enough for some of the more traditional granite countertops – make sure you pick the RIGHT WHITE for your products, not just the one that you love the most.

WHAT WALL COLOR GOES WITH WHITE DOVE CABINETS?

Your White Dove cabinets should be the LEAST of your concerns. When choosing the best paint color for your walls, White Dove will be flexible; it’s more about finding the color that best suits your countertop and backsplash – DON’T let White Dove call the shots!

See the FULL REMODEL HERE

While White Dove can be sensitive to some off-whites and grays, the countertop/backsplash connection is more important regarding the wall color.

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO WHITE DOVE

• Sherwin Williams Alabaster (warmer and slightly darker)
• Sherwin Williams Pure White (not as warm, but similar LRV)

When it comes to white paint colors, it can be hard to find ‘comparable whites’ between brands – and you should NEVER color match (which you can read all about here).

WHICH IS BETTER – BENJAMIN MOORE WHITE DOVE OR SWISS COFFEE?

White Dove and Swiss Coffee are KISSIN’ cousins. However, there are some subtle differences…

• WHITE DOVE LRV: 83.16
• SWISS COFFEE LRV: 81.91

The above means that White Dove is WHITER than Swiss Coffee. Swiss Coffee borders on the off-white range. Personally, I believe that White Dove is better than Swiss Coffee.

Comparing Swiss Coffee to the white in the light shade will help you see its softness.

Also, of the two, Swiss Coffee is SLIGHTLY more likely to pick up a vague green undertone (vague is an understatement). However, with these two whites being VERY similar, of the two, I prefer White Dove as it’s a bit more predictable.

Not sure if White Dove is right for you? Want a bit more warmth, white, or gray? I’ve got them all!

Benjamin Moore White Dove vs. Cloud White, Swiss Coffe, & 10 Other Popular Shades

READ MORE

Is White Still Trendy for Cabinets, Walls, & Exteriors?

The Ultimate Guide to White Paint Colors

Sherwin Williams 4 Best White Paint Colors

QUICK Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Simply White

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED FOR YOU IN 2023

The post Benjamin Moore White Dove OC 17: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

While green-gray paint colors are definitely having their moment, there’s something about this particular shade that NEVER goes out of style. This is why we’re taking a close look at one of my favorites – Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but I DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

WHAT COLOR IS ACACIA HAZE? IS IT NEUTRAL?

Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze is a green paint color, but this particular shade has a good dose of gray, calming it down. Some greens can be overwhelming (albeit beautiful). Acacia Haze comes in a bit calmer while still having some noticeable color.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

IS ACACIA HAZE WARM OR COOL?

Acacia Haze is most definitely a COOL paint color due to its undertones (which we’ll get into shortly).

WHAT’S ACACIA HAZE’S LRV?

Acacia Haze has an LRV of 32. This particular depth makes it a medium-depth paint color, but NOT on the heavy side of this range – it’s more moderate.

If you have a dark room, because of the degree of gray in Acacia Haze, it COULD look a bit flat – especially if the room is north-facing.

On the other hand, in a bright room, Acacia Haze has the depth to stand up to brighter natural light without washing out AS much as lighter colors can.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES ACACIA HAZE HAVE?

Just because Acacia Haze is a GREEN paint color doesn’t mean it won’t have an undertone. Green paint colors lean warm (green-yellow) or cool (green-blue). Along with a whack of gray (technical term), Acacia Haze also has a touch of blue, making it a COOL green paint color.

Will Acacia Haze LOOK blue?

While this could be open to perception, no, Acacia Haze usually looks like ‘some type of green’ – just a subtle one.

HOW SHOULD I SAMPLE ACACIA HAZE?

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out soon to grab paint samples – stop there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

GET YOUR PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF ACACIA HAZE HERE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH ACACIA HAZE?

With its slightly lower LRV, Acacia Haze is pretty tolerant of a wide range of white paint colors. A few of my faves include…

• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

IS ACACIA HAZE A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Acacia Haze could be gorgeous on the exterior as long as it suits the roof and any surrounding finishes (i.e., stone/brick). It can also be a subtle choice if you want color on your front door but don’t want anything overbearing.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS ACACIA HAZE GOOD FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

One reason green-grays are having a bit of a moment is BECAUSE of kitchen cabinets! Yes, you bet your booty Acacia Haze is a great cabinet paint color. While it’s more likely to suit a kitchen with a white quartz countertop, I’ve seen it flex into a variety of others, even a few granite countertops!

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO ACACIA HAZE?

Comparison is the KEY to choosing the best paint color for your home. Don’t be afraid to explore other colors to see how undertones, temperatures, and LRVs shift…

Every paint color has its personality and nuances – there will be NO perfect match. You can fully expect to see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths, but you could check out…

• Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog
• Benjamin Moore Flora (no color review yet)

By the way, if you’re considering getting one brand to match another’s paint color, I DON’T recommend it. Read why HERE.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ACACIA HAZE & EVERGREEN FOG?

Evergreen Fog is SLIGHTLY darker than Acacia Haze (two LRV points). Evergreen Fog also comes off a touch warmer or slightly more organic looking compared to the cool hue of Acacia Haze.

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH ACACIA HAZE?

Between its depth and degree of gray, Acacia Haze is pretty flexible with its color partners, including…

• some soft, warm off-white paint colors
• many warm grays with a violet undertone
• TONS of white paint colors – both warm and cool
• subtle shades of taupe

READ MORE

The Best Blue-Gray Blend Paint Colors

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors

The TWO Types of Green Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACACIA HAZE SW 9132: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Partner Post to The Best Benjamin Moore Gray Paint Colors

There’s one gray paint color that was popular EVEN BEFORE gray was on the scene – Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter. Why? Let’s find out…

IS REVERE PEWTER GRAY, GREIGE, OR BEIGE?

Revere Pewter is a GORGEOUS, warm gray. It’s not NEARLY warm enough to be classified as a beige, but it’s definitely a hybrid that leans well into the greige range (as greiges have green undertones).

As for depth, Revere Pewter is close to the light-medium range, but it can act as a light-depth paint color in the right light. However, it has some tricky undertones and special nuances that you need to be aware of (which we’ll get into shortly).

While Revere Pewter is WARM, it certainly won’t look cream or beige on your walls; it’s just significantly warmer than more traditional gray paint colors. Some people find it a bit too ‘muddy’ and not fresh enough when looking for a fresh, clean gray palette.

Revere Pewter on main cabinets, darkened

WHAT’S REVERE PEWTER’S LRV?

Revere Pewter is on the border of light and light-medium as it doesn’t have too much weight, but it doesn’t have a typical light depth. I find that it often seems a bit darker than expected, particularly in a room with slightly lower light. This is because while its LRV isn’t super low, it isn’t particularly high either, sitting at 55.77 (meaning it won’t really reflect or absorb much light).

Not sure what LRV is? It’s VERY important (read about it HERE).

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Paint Color with LRV 

WHAT ARE REVERE PEWTER’S UNDERTONES?

Video at the end of blog post

While MANY people think that Revere Pewter is one of the TRUEST grays, it actually nods considerably to one undertone in particular – green.

It’s also a very sneaky gray (like most) and loves to shift itself depending on the exposure of the room, artificial lighting, your furnishings, and other factors. So, while Revere Pewter mostly does FAVOR a mild green undertone, it can sneak into the other cool gray undertones with encouragement.

Notice how well Revere Pewter connects with the tones in this granite countertop.

About those sneaky undertones, I’ve seen Revere Pewter pick up a wink o’ blue a few times, kind of like Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray. Each time the blue pops up, it seems to be in rooms with multiple exposures and cream trim/cabinets. Seem impossible? Well, believe it, sister, as it shows up pretty darn blue in this next photo…

Grays are sneaky. You’ll want to order some samples and move them around your room before you commit full-time to a particular color.

Gray Owl vs. Stonington Gray – Color Review

I want you to check out SAMPLIZE Peel & Stick paint samples. These have changed how I choose my paint colors as they’re more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 day; depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Revere Pewter

Revere Pewter looks rich and gorgeous on these bathroom walls

The above information might have you feeling uncertain about Revere Pewter. So, I’m going to break it down into percentages for you. In my experience with Revere Pewter (which is pretty darned extensive via my local work and E-Design), here’s what I’ve seen (approximately)…

• 5% of the time – subtle blue undertone
• 10% of the time – slightly purple or taupe undertone
• 85% of the time – slightly muddy, soft, slightly green-tinged gray or just a soft neutral gray

Of course, all of that’s open to interpretation as I can be pretty anal with color, and not everybody is looking that hard. There are people out there who won’t see a dang thing and think that gray is gray. But still, the above undertones are something to be aware of.

The above photo shows Revere Pewter with some of its muddy green undertones. And I’m not saying muddy like it’s bad; muddy is good if you’re looking for an earth-toned relaxing feel. However, if you prefer a fresher approach, then muddy ain’t for you, my friend, and you may want to find another gray!

If you are looking for a clean and fresh gray, don’t choose Revere Pewter

Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages

WHICH ROOMS SUIT REVERE PEWTER?

The great thing about Revere Pewter is that it looks awesome in MANY different types of rooms. Sure, it can lean a bit grayer in a north-facing room or slightly warmer in a south-facing room, but it’s still a beautiful color choice. However, if your room is dark, you might not be able to appreciate its beauty as much…

Revere Pewter works best in reasonably well-lit rooms. As for dark rooms, Revere Pewter can look flat and murky (shown above, which is also north-facing). If you’re painting a dark room, you may want to read this blog post instead.

Here’s a photo of Revere Pewter in a warmer south-facing room – it’s in its glory!

REVERE PEWTER DOESN’T WORK AS WELL IN HALLWAYS

Generally speaking, hallways are dark and don’t always suit this depth of color. If you like the idea of RP in your hallway, consider lightening it by 50%, keeping in mind that lightening can shift undertones. Or maybe you need to check out these other paint colors.

You can also check out Benjamin Moore Rodeo, which has a slightly higher LRV, but even that might not be enough.

IS REVERE PEWTER OUTDATED OR STILL TRENDY?

With its subtle warmth and passive undertones, Revere Pewter is still trendy – even as things start to lean warmer. And while it might be too gray for those jumping into the beige trend, Revere Pewter still has a place in today’s modern home.

REVERE PEWTER CAN BE A GREAT CHOICE FOR KITCHEN CABINETS

This is my own kitchen below. I darkened Revere Pewter by approx 25% just to get more body and depth out of it.

See the before and after photos HERE

Is Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter REALLY the Best Cabinet Color for YOU?

IS REVERE PEWTER A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR (SIDING, SHUTTERS, OR TRIM)?

Revere Pewter can be great for the exterior, but it definitely can look warmer than expected!

The 5 Steps to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

My Color Consulting client had picked Revere Pewter for the exterior of her home and couldn’t decide on a great shutter or porch ceiling color. I gave her three suggestions, including Benjamin Moore Graystone (shutters), and it turned out GORGEOUS! 

IS REVERE PEWTER A GOOD GRAY FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

Revere Pewter can look gooooorgeous on kitchen cabinets, as long as it suits the backsplash, countertop, and flooring. With its earthy green undertone, it suits some of the common older granite countertops and some of the newer quartz countertops.

However, this doesn’t mean Revere Pewter is the best shade of gray for YOUR kitchen cabinets. Is Revere Pewter the Right Cabinet Color for YOU?

THE OVERALL MOOD…

Revere Pewter isn’t a fresh and crisp gray and doesn’t necessarily give a spa feeling like a lot of grays can – this is because of its warm undertone. I’ve heard it called murky, muddy, and ‘clay-like’ – not very spa-inspired words if you ask me, but again, open to interpretation based on your personal tastes.

Keeping in mind that one person’s feelings toward a color can be different from another person’s, if I were to suggest some keywords to describe Revere Pewter, it would be these:

• calming and relaxing
• organic
• neutral
• versatile, flexible, accommodating
• more of a saturated beach feeling rather than a ‘fresh beach’ feeling

For a comparable gray, check out Revere Pewter vs. Collonade Gray – The Great Battle of the Grays! (shown below)

For a cooler look, you might want to read about Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray…

Want to see more color reviews? Click HERE

WHAT WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES BEST WITH REVERE PEWTER?

Revere Pewter is pretty flexible and can accommodate quite a few different shades of white if they aren’t OVERLY yellow. Benjamin Moore Cloud White can look gorgeous and slightly enhance the green undertones in Revere Pewter. And, of course, my fave, Benjamin Moore White Dove – the perfect soft, warm white!

See those whites and MORE here: Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors

 (Wickham Gray in the bathroom, Revere Pewter in the bedroom, Cloud White on the trim)

COLORS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO REVERE PEWTER

In looking for similar colors, there will be shifts. Some will be lighter, darker, warmer, or cooler. Others might pick up a bit more green undertone or even DROP most of the green. Here are some comparable colors…

REVERE PEWTER VS. ASHWOOD

Benjamin Moore Ashwood is lighter than Revere Pewter (it also leans a bit warmer), making it look a bit more greige than warm gray.

REVERE PEWTER VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS COLONNADE GRAY

Colonnade Gray is similar to Revere Pewter in its intentions. However, it’s a bit darker and has less earthy warmth, making it look a wink more gray.

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Colonnade Gray

REVERE PEWTER VS. RODEO

Rodeo is a great comparable to Revere Pewter. While they have the same approach, Rodeo is a bit lighter than Revere Pewter.

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Rodeo

REVERE PEWTER VS. OTHER POPULAR NEUTRALS

You might not know which undertone best suits your space. Comparing these popular neutrals is a great way to find the one that works with your interior finishes and personal tastes.

REVERE PEWTER VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS AGREEABLE GRAY

My Online Color Consulting clients often choose between these two popular shades, although there are some key differences.

Agreeable Gray is lighter than Revere Pewter and not as warm and earthy. As for undertones, while Agreeable Gray ‘can’ grab a touch of green undertone, it flexes between green and violet, often showing NO noticeable undertone. On the other hand, Revere Pewter is more likely to commit to green.

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray Paint Color Review

REVERE PEWTER VS. BALBOA MIST VS. COLLINGWOOD

Revere Pewter is a warm gray, but that’s the only thing it has in common with Balboa Mist and Collingwood. Both of these shades lean into a violet undertone, which goes in the opposite direction to Revere Pewter’s earthy green hue.

Revere Pewter is also DARKER than Balboa Mist and Collingwood, sitting closer to the light-medium range than the light range.

Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist Paint Color Review

Benjamin Moore Collingwood Paint Color Review

REVERE PEWTER VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS ACCESSIBLE BEIGE

If you compare these two colors, you’re looking at two entirely different color groups. Revere Pewter is a warm gray (borderline greige), whereas Accessible Beige is a beige. This means that Accessible Beige is warmer than Revere Pewter, although it’s not one of the warmest beige paint colors.

Accessible Beige walls

Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Paint Color Review

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

WHAT GRAY IS LIGHTER THAN REVERE PEWTER?

Benjamin Moore Rodeo is as close as you’ll get to a lighter version of Revere Pewter. While many other grays are lighter, if you want a similar LOOK (in other words, want to avoid pink, violet, and blue undertones), you might want to lighten Revere Pewter. Ask the paint store to lighten it by 25% and see how it looks. If that’s not enough, try 40-50%. Remember, the more you lighten it, the more its undertones can shift.

3 Steps to Your Perfect Paint Color: How to Lighten & Darken Colors

Want to see this color in action? Check out my video for more great tips! And ignore my face in this screenshot – not one of my more epic moments…

READ MORE

Is Gray Still Trendy for Walls, Cabinets & More?

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Rodeo

Sherwin Williams 10 Best Gray Paint Colors

Benjamin Moore’s Best Gray Paint Colors

Colonnade Gray vs. Revere Pewter

Not sure which gray is best for you?

Get the help you’re looking for with my Online Color Consulting

Chat soon,

Originally written in 2015, awesomely updated in 2023

The post Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When picking the BEST white paint color, it’s easy to take a wrong turn into the wrong undertones. And while I’ve covered MANY versions of white (including the kind that fills my glass on a nightly basis), today we’re going to chat about the WHITEST white paint colors!

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while (thank you for drinking the Ginger-flavored Kool-aid), you’ll know that LRV matters.

WHAT IS LRV?

If you don’t know, you get three slaps with a wet noodle and need to read this blog post ASAP – it’s also good for those needing a refresher!

The WHITEST white paint colors will have the highest LRV numbers. And while LRV goes up to 100, in the ‘real person paint world,’ we only going up to 94, as we’re not slapping scientific white on our walls (it’s not available and only shows up on my bum cheeks in the dead of winter – yes, Mom, I said that).

The WHITEST white paint colors will have the highest LRV numbers

Sherwin Williams Pure White

It’s also important not to judge a color by its name. For example, Sherwin Williams has a GORGEOUS white called Pure White (one of my faves), but let me tell you – it ain’t ‘pure white.’

AND LASTLY, after reading this list, PLEASE keep reading, as I have some IMPORTANT NOTES for you to consider BEFORE you start sampling white paint colors!

The WHITEST White Paint Colors 

1. BEHR ULTRA PURE WHITE PR-W15   

LRV 94.4

Ultra Pure White is THE whitest white paint color on the market. And even though I’m in long-term relationships with Ben and Sherm, sometimes I refer to this WHITEST white paint color as the best shade for a project.

And don’t ask me why Behr has four different Ultra Pure Whites (I’ve sent an email asking) – it seems like a great way to complicate things if you ask me. Stick with PR-W15 until I learn otherwise.

Why doesn’t EVERY brand have a white that’s THIS WHITE?

Good question – you get a gold star! Different brands use different BASES to create their paint, and not all white bases were created equally. This is why every brand has a different ‘white,’ and it’s not the same right across the board (it’s also why you should NEVER color match between brands).

Behr’s Best White & Soft-White Paint Colors

2. KELLY MOORE WHITEST WHITE KMW43-1   

LRV 94.62

You’d think that with an LRV of 94.62, Whitest White would be in the number one spot, and it SHOULD be (technically). But what I’m talking about are the WHITEST whites, and even though its LRV is a weeee willy wink higher, Behr Ultra Pure White looks a touch cleaner. This could simply be because Behrs ‘white base’ is a cleaner white – but really, either will do the trick.

Should I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

3. SHERWIN WILLIAMS HIGH REFLECTIVE WHITE 7757   

LRV 93

Sherwin Williams High Reflective White is a white I refer to ALL THE TIME in my Online Paint Color Consulting. With its LRV of 93, it’s pretty dang white. It looks SLIGHTLY warm compared to Ultra Pure White, but remember, that’s just ‘in comparison.’ High Reflective White can also look a bit stark and cool compared to a warmer white!

High Reflective White is WHITER looking than Chantilly Lace (#4), but NOT quite as white as Ultra Pure White. Compare the two, and you WILL see that shift, with HRW looking a wink softer (but again, it’s really a pretty legit white white).

HOWEVER, High Reflective White isn’t easy to get at every Sherwin William’s store – you have a 50/50 shot. If you want to learn how to get it, READ THIS.

4. BENJAMIN MOORE CHANTILLY LACE OC-65   

LRV 90.04

According to Benjamin Moore, their WHITEST shade is Chantilly Lace, with an LRV of 90.04. The LRV has changed as it used to be 92.2 (they’ve improved their color reading technology).

And while it looks like a pretty DARN WHITE WHITE, it can come off just a WINK warm/soft in comparison to Behr Ultra Pure White (but really, it’s a gorgeous white and one I refer to ALL THE TIME when I don’t want a totally stark white).

Chantilly Lace – third down

BTW, people are OFTEN fooled by Benjamin Moore’s Simply White, as it can look quite white as well (LRV of 89.52). HOWEVER, it has a pop of yellow undertone, so be careful where you put it.

WANT TO SAVE MONEY ON PAINT SAMPLES?

Check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ECO-FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location.
• They’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards needed for traditional paint sampling.
• If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room.

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

5. FARROW & BALL ALL WHITE 2005   

LRV 91.8

In the words of the great Matthew McConaughey – all wight all wight all wight! With an LRV of 91.8, All White will look white but can come off a bit softer than the others with its slightly lower LRV. While ‘generally speaking,’ the first four colors all do a similar job, All White is just a bit noticeably softer.

WHITE PAINT COLORS & EXPOSURE

I’m not talking FULL-exposure (one of my fave past-times) but the type of exposure coming in your windows – north, east, south, west.

The quality and color of the natural light coming in your windows will shift how white paint colors look. This has a lot to do with their HIGH LRV, as with that high LRV (light reflectance value) they REFLECT more light!

• north-facing light – cool gray light with a blue tinge (read more)
• east-facing light – slightly warm, yellow light (read more)
• south-facing light – yellow-orange (but white at the height of day) (read more)
• west-facing light – yellow-orange, going even more golden at the end of the day (read more)

If you pick one of the above whites but think it looks a bit blue/yellow/etc…it’s not the paint color ITSELF but the light it reflects. This can ALSO happen if you have a lot of greenery outside, such as trees, landscaping, and grass – nature of the beast!

So, there you have it. If you want more reading, I have TONS of blog posts on the best white paint colors, so check out the links below!

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

WHAT IS THE NEW WHITEST WHITE PAINT CREATED?

Scientists have created a white for residential/commercial use with an LRV of 95.5. As you know, I’m not a scientist; I’m a certified color nerd. The idea is that this SUPER bright white will help with climate change, being used on exterior roofs and siding to reflect the sun. However, an intense white like this won’t necessarily be liveable for the average homeowner on their walls.

Stuart Semple has also created a beta version of his WHITEST WHITE which is said to reflect 99.6% percent of light – HOLY FREAKIN’ CANNOLI! This could be fantastic for artists, but again, I’m not sure we’ll be seeing it on our walls any time soon (I’m a big fan of Semple, as he’s a cheeky monkey).

IS ULTRA WHITE THE WHITEST WHITE FOR INTERIOR WALLS?

No, Ultra White isn’t the whitest, but it’s DARN CLOSE. Kelly Moore’s Whitest White KMW 43.1 is the brightest, with its LRV 94.62. However, Ultra White’s LRV of 94.4 is so close you’re really comparing apples to apples.

READ MORE

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

The Ultimate Guide To Choosing White Paint Colors

How to Pick a Color for a Room with 2 Exposures

Benjamin Moore’s 8 Best White Paint Colors

SHOULD I Paint My Cabinets White or Leave Them Wood Stained? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 3 Whites I Would Never Paint My Trim or Cabinets

How to Pick the Best White Paint Colors for Cabinets and Trim

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting packages

Chat soon,

The post The 5 WHITEST White Paint Colors: High Reflective White, Ultra White, Chantilly Lace, & More appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to the most popular white paint colors, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee has been around a looooong time – but, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the BEST. Sometimes, it’s more about the familiarity of the name rather than the flexibility of the color. And while it could be the PERFECT white paint color for your home, there are some serious things to consider before you start slappin’ it on your walls or cabinets.

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. 

IS SWISS COFFEE A WARM OR COOL WHITE?

Swiss Coffee is a warm white paint color that’s popular for walls, cabinets, and trims. In particular, Swiss Coffee and other similar whites often suit older style granite and laminate countertops (the ’90s and early 2000s) as these finishes prefer a more subtle approach to a bright and clean one.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF SWISS COFFEE?

The LRV of Swiss Coffee is 81.91, making it a considerably soft white, one that’s tinklin’ on the toenails of the off-white range (learn more HERE).

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE SWISS COFFEE’S UNDERTONES?

When it comes to Swiss Coffee, it can be about perception. If you have a lot of warm/beige tones in your home, it can settle as a soft, warm white. If you have cooler tones, those cool tones can react with the warmth of Swiss Coffee and make it look much more yellow in comparison.

But, regardless, Swiss Coffee IS a warm creamy white. Cream is a yellow base paint color, so Swiss Coffee does have a yellow undertone that can ALSO pick up a weeee wink of green sometimes. This mild tendency makes me a bit nervous, especially when other soft whites are more predictable.

SWISS COFFEE PEEL & STICK WITH SAMPLIZE

SAMPLIZE Peel & Stick offers paint samples that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Get your PEEL & STICK SAMPLE OF SWISS COFFEE! 

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH SWISS COFFEE?

If you’re painting your walls Swiss Coffee, I highly recommend painting your TRIM Swiss Coffee. Because Swiss Coffee has unpredictable undertones, I wouldn’t mess around too much with mixing and matching whites with it.

If you’d rather see some contrast and are okay with Swiss Coffee looking more like a subtle cream, consider Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace or Simply White.

White Trim, Cabinets, & Walls: Do They Need to Match?

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS SWISS COFFEE A GOOD EXTERIOR SIDING OR TRIM COLOR?

I wouldn’t do it, as there are SEVERAL other white paint colors that I believe are better and safer choices for white trim or siding.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO SWISS COFFEE

Swiss Coffee is unique in its particular blend of undertones (as are all colors), but there are a few whites with similar intentions…

• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster
• Sherwin Williams Greek Villa

See how Swiss Coffee compares to the TOP WHITE PAINT COLORS HERE. 

WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH SWISS COFFEE?

When it comes to Swiss Coffee, there aren’t a lot of paint colors that I totally LOVE with it, and I would lean into and away from…

• Beige or tan paint colors that have a weeee tiny wink of green hiding in them (i.e., Grant Beige)
• some slightly darker versions of gray with blue-green undertones can be pretty
• many of the popular shades of greige
• I would absolutely avoid taupe (purple or purple-pink undertones)
• I would avoid many/most gray paint colors, unless they had a bit of depth to them, as well as some green or blue-green

Not sure if Swiss Coffee is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more! Also, because I rarely use Swiss Coffee in my E-design, I don’t have photos of it, but these next reviews have some AWESOME examples for you to check out!

READ MORE

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore White Dove

 Sherwin Williams Pure White: Paint Color Review

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Simply White

Swiss Coffee vs. The 5 TOP Shades of White

Why I Don’t Love Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

The post Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When it comes to calming and relaxing paint colors, it’s hard to beat the look of Sherwin William Silver Strand. With its soft blend of colors, Silver Strand is a great way to NOD towards color on your walls, without 100% commitment. However, it’s a bit of a ninja…

IS SILVER STRAND BLUE, GREEN, OR GRAY?

While some see Silver Strand as neutral compared to more COLORFUL shades, Silver Strand has more chroma than a typical neutral, making it a legit COLOR. And with its beautiful mix of hues, Silver Strand is a blue-green blend…with some gray in it.

WHAT’S THE LRV OF SILVER STRAND?

Silver Strand has an LRV of 59, which makes it a light – but not necessarily the lightest and freshest color choice. My magical LRV number is 62, and Silver Strands falls about 25% shy of that. Compared to an LRV of 62, Silver Strand has just a wink more contrast with white trim and is slightly darker as an overall wall color, especially when compared to a soft, cool gray like Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl or the gentle warmth of Benjamin Moore Collingwood.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Paint Color with LRV

DOES SILVER STRAND HAVE UNDERTONES?

You’ll hear from some experts that color is NOT subjective. And they’re right; the color itself is NOT subjective – it is what it is. However, how it LOOKS is hugely subjective based on who’s looking at it and the room/environment it’s in!

For example, I had Silver Strand in our last primary bedroom. My Mom walked in and said, ‘Oooh, what a beautiful gray-green.’ I asked Tim what color HE thought it was (you guys KNOW what a chatter-box he is), and he said, ‘blue-green.’ Thanks for comin’ out, Tim. When I walked in, I saw a gray-blue with a wee wink o’ green – so really, the OPPOSITE of my Mom. As I said, it’s a ninja.

You can also expect a big shift depending on your exposure, the time of day, furnishings, AND the interior lighting.

Check out Silver Strand in this photo; the color comes to the surface considerably with the gray dropping back – and hardly a wink of green in sight!

In the ensuite bathroom (which happens to be east-facing), notice how it grayed out…

And on a sunny morning, look at the reflection in the mirror – GREEN! Stuff like this excites me to no end (I’m easily excitable, though…).

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE.

• Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location.
• they’re more affordable than the sample pots/rollers/foam boards needed for traditional paint sampling.
• If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room.

Now, back to Silver Strand…

One of my Online Color Consulting clients used Silver Strand in her bedroom, which turned out GORGEOUS!

Whereas my bedroom was south-facing, hers is north/northeast, showing how it can shift depending on a room’s exposure.

North, East, South, West: Which Paint Color is the Best?

To sum it all up, when it comes to Silver Strand, it’s safe to say that it will look like a gray-blue-green blend (because it is). A lot of grays do this because of the type of black that’s used in their recipe, which can lean slightly to the blue side. But let’s put a finer point on things so that should you choose Silver Strand, you aren’t disappointed with the results…

• If you don’t like blue-green blends, you probably won’t like this color.
• If you prefer blue-green blends that cater to blue over green, this is USUALLY a winner.
• For flexibility, Silver Strand has more moves than a 12-year-old gymnast.

WHAT COLORS GO WITH SILVER STRAND?

Because of its depth and color blend, Silver Strand is a popular color partner and goes with some of the following…

• SUBTLE warm off-white paint colors
• lighter grays with a subtle warm violet undertone
• darker blue-gray blends (with green in them)
• warm and bright whites, as well as cool ones (there’s not many Silver Strand doesn’t love, so long as they aren’t TOO yellow)

The 5 Types of White Paint Colors

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM OR CABINET COLOR WITH SILVER STRAND?

As mentioned above, Silver Strand is pretty easy to please regarding whites. But if I were to choose my FAVES…

• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace
• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White

SILVER STRAND vs. OTHER POPULAR SHADES

Comparing paint colors is the BEST WAY to find your room’s best color – especially when you have Samplize Peel & Stick to help you.

SILVER STRAND vs. SEA SALT

Silver Strand and Sea Salt are often mentioned in my Online Paint Color Consulting. Why? Both shades are popular for a spa or beach-vibe space, adding a calming vibe. However, there are a few key differences between these two colors.

• Sea Salt has more CHROMA (color), which means it has less gray in it. However, both are still reasonably muted paint colors.
• Sea Salt is more likely to lean into green compared to Silver Strand.
• Silver Strand has a stormier, moodier look, whereas Sea Salt looks more fresh and hip.

Sherwin Williams Sea Salt Paint Color Review

SILVER STRAND vs. SILVERPOINTE

• Silver Strand and Silverpointe have a few things in common, but not enough to make them really SIMILAR.
• Silver Strand’s LRV of 59 makes it darker than Silverpointe’s LRV of 64. This makes Silverpointe the lighter, fresher option.
• Whereas Silver Strand is more of a ‘blue-green with gray in it’, Silverpointe is the opposite – a ‘gray with blue-green undertones.’ This means the gray is stronger in Silverpointe.
• Silverpointe’s undertones are reasonably subtle, whereas the blue-green of Silver Strand is noticeable.

SILVER STRAND vs. AGREEABLE GRAY

I’m not sure why so many people are comparing these two shades when they’re going in different directions! Comparison is best kept to similar colors. Sure, these two have a similar depth, but that’s about it.

• Silver Strand is a COLOR with gray in it. Agreeable Gray is a neutral (greige-taupe) with a minimal undertone.
• Agreeable Gray is a subtly warm neutral. Silver Strand is a cool paint color.
• Both colors are in the light range. Agreeable Gray’s LRV is 60, which is DANG CLOSE to Silver Strand’s 59.
• Silver Strand and Agreeable Gray go with each other in a palette, but I wouldn’t use them in the same room (i.e., one on the main walls and one as an accent wall).

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray

The same goes for Repose Gray. For those of you comparing Silver Strand and Repose Gray, there’s even LESS of a comparison to be had. Repose Gray is a neutral paint color that’s a smidge darker than Agreeable Gray.

While Repose Gray and Silver Strand go well in a palette together, again, I wouldn’t use them in the same room (neither is great as the other’s accent color).

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Repose Gray

So there you have it, Silver Strand. Hopefully, these tips helped you determine if it’s the best gray paint color for you!

READ MORE

Benjamin Moore Quiet Moments Paint Color Review

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

The 3 Undertones of Cool Gray Paint Colors

The 8 Best Blue-Green Paint Colors

Need HELP?

Check out my E-Design and Online Paint Color Consulting packages! 

Chat soon,

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2018, UPDATED IN 2023

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS SILVER STRAND SW 7057: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When picking the perfect shade of green, it’s about tuning into your surroundings to see which TYPE of green your home asks for – warm, cool, green-yellow, green-blue. This is why today we’re focusing on one of my faves, as October Mist could be perfect for those who want to add a bit of color without completely abandoning the ever-so-popular soft neutrals from previous years. Read on to find out!

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS BENJAMIN MOORE OCTOBER MIST – GREEN OR GRAY?

While some colors are open to interpretation, October Mist is definitely a green paint color. Sure, it can look more gray compared to greens like Sherwin Williams Softened Green and Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage, but it’s most definitely a gorgeous green hue.

IS OCTOBER MIST A WARM OR COOL PAINT COLOR?

October Mist is a green paint color with a subtle warmth to it – emphasis on subtle. The way to determine if a green reads warm or cool is to see whether it leans more into green-yellow (warm) or green-blue (cool). And the BEST way to do this is to compare it to other greens that are similar in depth. This comparison can help you see the shift from green-yellow to green-blue. It can also help you see how much GRAY may or may not be in your particular shade of green!

LINKS TO THE ABOVE COLORS ARE LISTED AT THE END OF THIS BLOG POST

North–facing rooms usually prefer a WARM green (October Mist) over a cool green–blue to help balance the cool northern light. However, October Mist isn’t SO warm that it will really shift a space; you might need a warm shade to do the trick. 

East-facing rooms have brighter light in the morning but can feel quite flat in the afternoon. So, just like north-facing rooms, they often prefer a warmer, cozier green or a more noticeable green undertone (AKA October Mist).

As for south-facing rooms or rooms with western afternoon sunshine, October Mist ISN’T so warm that it will tip the scales too far. Having a muted warmth means the October Mist can be a gorgeous choice for a warm south-facing space.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S OCTOBER MIST’S LRV?

October Mist comes in with an LRV of 46.54, putting it in the light-medium range. Light-medium colors hold up a bit better in BRIGHT rooms. However, they WILL look lighter where the light hits but won’t wash out as much as whites, off-whites, and light-depth paint colors do.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best LIGHT Paint Colors for a DARK room

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES OCTOBER MIST HAVE?

As you now know, October Mist is a warm green, but that’s not all it has up its green sleeves. October Mist has a solid dose of gray in it, calming that green hue right down. The added gray makes October Mist a bit less colorful (lower chroma) than many of its peers. In fact, October Mist has enough gray to confidently be referred to as a green-gray.

The Ultimate Guide to Paint Colors & Undertones

SAMPLING OCTOBER MIST WITH PEEL & STICK

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out soon to grab paint samples – stop there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER, and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Get your Samplize PEEL & STICK SAMPLE

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR TO GO WITH OCTOBER MIST?

While October Mist is QUITE flexible due to its depth and degree of colors, it does have a few faves. In fact, my FAVOURITE white trim color with October Mist is Benjamin Moore White Dove, but let’s check out a few more (note that they’re all WARM whites)…

• Benjamin Moore Cloud White
• Benjamin Moore Simply White

But just because its faves are warm doesn’t mean it can’t handle a cleaner white like Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

IS OCTOBER MIST A GOOD COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR OF A HOME?

Light-medium depth paint colors are a GREAT range to start when looking at exterior colors. While you might end up going lighter or darker, this range is a good starting point.

Whether or not October Mist would work on your exterior would depend on your exterior finishes. We wouldn’t want its green-gray hue to get lost in the scenery. However, there are times a soft, slightly warm green works. If you aren’t sure, you can grab my EXTERIOR COLOR BUNDLE package for some guidance and color bundle suggestions.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

IS OCTOBER MIST A GOOD COLOR FOR KITCHEN CABINETS?

The depth of October Mist can be great for some kitchen cabinets. However, kitchens have a LOT of surfaces to consider when choosing a color, such as a backsplash, countertop, walls, flooring, etc. The safer bet would be on an island (with white perimeter cabinets), but this will depend greatly on the surrounding finishes.

How to Choose the Best White Paint Color for Your Kitchen Cabinets

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Island & Bathroom Vanities

WHAT OTHER COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO OCTOBER MIST?

Every paint color has its personality and nuances – there will be NO perfect match. I find this to be even more the case with October Mist, as its closest green-gray partners do vary quite a bit in temperature and saturation.

These are also some of the colors mentioned in the earlier graphic.

• Sherwin Williams Escape Gray
• Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
• Benjamin Moore Guilford Green
• Sherwin Williams Contented
• Sherwin Williams Acacia Haze

And if you’re thinking of colour matching between brands (i.e., getting Benjamin Moore to make a Sherwin Williams paint colour), you might want to read THIS first.

PEOPLE ALSO ASK…

While you might have a more personal question about October Mist, I like to cover at least the most COMMON questions related to paint colors, such as…

WHICH PAINT COLORS GO WITH OCTOBER MIST?

Because October Mist is a green-gray, and not a BRIGHT green, it’s pretty flexible when it comes to creating a palette.

• a wide variety of beige and tan paint colors
• shades of blue with similar degrees of gray in them
• MANY cream paint colors
• gray paint colors, especially those with a soft violet undertone

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCTOBER MIST & MORNING DEW?

I’m surprised that this is even a question, but many of you are wondering about this exact thing! The difference is that not once, in my 7000+ consults, have I ever recommended Morning Dew at the same time as October Mist – they’re not even in the same ballpark.

• Morning Dew is on the high end of the light depth range, with an LRV of 69
• October Mist’s LRV of 46.54 puts it firmly in the light-medium range

Could these two colors look good together? Sure, but I don’t know if they should be vying for the same spot on your walls.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN OCTOBER MIST & SHERWIN WILLIAMS EVERGREEN FOG?

Yes, now THIS is a question I can sink my colorful little teeth into (just joking, my teeth are most definitely white).

• Evergreen Fog has an LRV of 30, planting it in the MEDIUM depths. This means it has more body and depth than October Mist.
• Evergreen Fog comes off not just a bit darker than October Mist but also a bit cooler.
• October Mist looks a bit more ‘sage-inspired’ compared to Evergreen Fog (although this could be open to interpretation).
• You might find that October Mist comes off a ‘touch more green’ compared to Evergreen Fog, although both have similar degrees of gray in them.

IS OCTOBER MIST TOO DARK?

My first question would be, ‘too dark for what?’

• Too dark for a dark room? Yes, October Mist could look a bit drab. I would look at a lighter color or one with more color (chroma).
• Too dark for the average room with reasonable light? Nope, it could be great.
• How about kitchen cabinets? Not at all; it could be great as long as it suits your countertop and backsplash.

READ MORE

HOW TO Choose The Best Green Paint Color

The 10 Best Paint Colors to Reduce Stress & Create Calm

The 8 Best Benjamin Moore Green Paint Colours

Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog 9130: Paint Color Review

THE 5 BLOG POSTS YOU NEED TO READ BEFORE PICKING A PAINT COLOR

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Benjamin Moore October Mist 1495: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

Whether on exteriors, cabinets, doors, or feature walls, black is DEFINITELY on-trend. But regardless of trends, you need to figure out whether black SUITS your home, and the best way to do that is with research. So, let’s begin our little spelunking journey into Iron Ore (get it?)!

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

IS IRON ORE BLACK OR GRAY?

While Iron Ore isn’t a TRUE black, it can ACT like black in the right situation, especially if there isn’t a true black around to be directly compared to (and the room is DARK enough). Iron Ore is actually a SOFT black, which we’ll talk about under the LRV section.

In this first photo, Iron Ore looks pretty darn black until you compare it to the DOG, then you see that wink of softness (apologies for the murky quality photo, but it gives you the idea)…

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

However, when DIRECTLY COMPARED to black, you can see the softness of Iron Ore…

As for temperature, Iron Ore is most definitely a WARM black paint color. In fact, it’s the most popular warm shade of black on the market!

WHAT’S THE LRV OF IRON ORE?

Iron Ore comes in with a WHOPPING LRV of 6, so it’s certainly not the blackest black out there, but it’s thinking about it. For example, Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black has an LRV of 3. TRUE BLACK is 0; however, in the paint world, we don’t have access to that, with our blackest options coming in around 2.5.

Iron Ore is on the shutters.

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

DOES IRON ORE HAVE UNDERTONES?

Yes, Iron Ore DOES have undertones, but they are damn tricky. On exteriors, Iron Ore tends to lean into a very slight green undertone – but not always. On interiors, I’ve seen this same vague green undertone come up a bit more consistently on walls.

The 4 Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

HOWEVER, on cabinets, it can look slightly MORE green due to the satin sheen of the paint. Just keep in mind that I’m pretty anal about these things, and you MIGHT just see it as soft black!

SAMPLING IRON ORE WITH SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Learn all about Samplize HERE

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH IRON ORE?

Oh, the world is your oyster; which white do you WANT? Personally, I love the slightly soft approach of Pure White, but I also love the crisp contrast of High Reflective White. Remember that whites with a slightly stronger yellow/cream undertone could enhance the green undertone in Iron Ore.

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore White Dove

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Pure White

IS IRON ORE A GOOD EXTERIOR COLOR FOR SIDING, TRIM, OR THE FRONT DOOR?

Yes, Iron Ore is a great exterior color, as long as it suits the finishes on your home (roof/stone/brick). Again, that subtle green undertone CAN pop up here and there, but it’s not usually committed.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

If your home is south-facing or gets afternoon western sunshine, expect to see a bit more of that warm green undertone.

How Does Exposure Affect Exterior Paint Colors?

WHAT’S THE BENJAMIN MOORE EQUIVALENT TO IRON ORE?

Sadly, Iron Ore is a creature unto itself. Similar dark colors pick up more blue (Wrought Iron) or go too warm (Iron Mountain). And even if you color match, you can fully expect to see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depth. In other words, there aren’t any black paint colors that are really similar to Iron Ore.

The 8 Best Black Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore & Sherwin Williams

WHAT PAINT COLORS GO GOOD WITH IRON ORE?

When it comes to Iron Ore, it’s ALLLLLL about the undertone…

• only partner Iron Ore with a violet undertone if it’s a WARM violet, not a cool one
• Iron Ore can be a bit fussy with light, overly cool grays and prefers stormy or slightly warm ones
• Iron Ore loves to be partnered with some stormy grays with a blue-green undertone
• Iron Ore loves greiges – light and mid-toned
• any number of subtle, warm off-whites look great with Iron Ore
• Iron Ore loves a wide variety of earth tones

COLORS THAT COMPARE TO IRON ORE

While no paint colors really compare to Iron Ore, it’s via comparison that you see the undertones in colors. There’s a chance that Iron Ore ISN’T the best black for your home, which is why sampling and comparing is KEY and SO MUCH EASIER with Peel & Stick paint samples!

IRON ORE VS TRICORN BLACK

The biggest difference between Iron Ore and Tricorn Black is LRV. However, they also differ in undertone.

• Tricorn Black is a true black with an LRV slightly below 3. Iron Ore’s LRV of 6 makes it a soft black, so it’s not as stark.
• Tricorn Black has no noticeable undertone, whereas Iron Ore has a slightly noticeable green undertone.

Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black Paint Color Review

IRON ORE VS WROUGHT IRON

Iron Ore and Wrought Iron are similar because they have higher LRVs (in the black world). However, Wrought Iron has a MUCH different undertone…

• Iron Ore has an LRV of 6, to Wrought Iron’s slightly lighter 8.17.
• Wrought Iron has a noticeable blue (blue-violet) undertone, opposite Iron Ore’s warm green undertone.

Benjamin Moore Wrought Iron Paint Color Review

IRON ORE VS PEPPERCORN

Peppercorn is a sneaky lil’ bugger and much more complicated than Iron Ore…

• Peppercorn has an LRV of 10, putting it on the HIGHEST/lightest end of the dark range.
• Whereas Iron Ore is a soft black, Peppercorn is a DARK GRAY.
• Iron Ore has a subtle warm green undertone. Peppercorn is majorly unpredictable. While it can pick up a flash of green, it can just as easily look a touch violet.

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn Paint Color Review

IRON ORE VS URBANE BRONZE

Urbane Bronze is one of my FAVORITE dark paint colors for an island, front door, and feature walls. However, Iron Ore sure gives it a run for its money!

• Urbane Bronze has an LRV of 8, so it’s slightly lighter than Iron Ore’s 6.
• Both Urbane Bronze and Iron Ore had a green undertone. Urbane Bronze’s undertone is warmer and stronger.

Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze Paint Color Review

READ MORE

The Best Dark Colors for DARK ROOMS

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

The Best Front Door Paint Colors

The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS IRON ORE SW 7069: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When looking for the best dark paint color for your front door, exterior, trim or cabinets, you’ve probably come across Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain. More so than many of the other dark shades, Iron Mountain is a tough one to get a read on, which is why we’re taking a closer look at it via its very own color review…

BEFORE WE GET STARTED…

To show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality photos I need or the RIGHT photos but have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

What type of paint color is Iron Mountain? Is it warm or cool?

Iron Mountain is a WARM GRAY paint color with very subtle undertones, suited to walls, exteriors, cabinets and trim!

One reason why Iron Mountain confuses people is that if you look ABOVE it on its color strip (in the fan deck or in-store), you’ll see lighter shades of gray, like Gull Wing Gray and Whitestone. However, go UNDERNEATH Iron Mountain, and you’ll see super dark mahogany BROWN-inspired colors like Midsummer Night and Night Horizon!

While Iron Mountain tries to straddle both the warm and cool worlds, give it the right environment, and that wink of warm brown peeks through!

And here’s that warmth now…

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

What’s the LRV of Iron Mountain?

Iron Mountain has an LRV of 9. And even though it’s often referred to as a ‘soft black paint color’, it’s too light to be that. Sure, it’s DARK, but it’s not so dark that it will act like black. Iron Mountain would need to be approx three+ LRV points lower to be black.

If you have a dark room, the LRV of Iron Mountain helps it rise a bit, stopping it from looking dark and sharp. However, with its LIMITED undertones/degree of color or chroma, don’t expect any screamin’ glory.

How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter – and it ain’t with paint! 

The Best DARK Paint Colors for a DARK room

What are Iron Mountain’s undertones?

Benjamin Moore’s Iron Mountain might look like a dark gray paint color, but a wee touch of brown is in there, giving Iron Mountain a very vague warmth. And while in the ODD light, you might catch a flash of violet undertone; it’s fractional at best.

What’s the best way to sample Iron Mountain?

Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out soon to grab paint samples – stop there! Please check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…

• samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1 DAY, depending on the location

• they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling

• if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room

Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE

What’s the best white paint color for my trim with Iron Mountain walls or siding?

Iron Mountain is reasonably flexible regarding its fave white paint colors, including Sherwin Williams Pure White and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace.

The ULTIMATE GUIDE to White Paint Colors

Is Iron Mountain a good exterior paint color for my siding, stucco or brick?

Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain is a gorgeous exterior paint color (as shown earlier). Keep in mind that it could look WARMER than you expect, with that lovely brown rising to the occasion. Iron Mountain looks particularly nice up against black windows, whether they have white trim between them or not.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

Does Your Exposure REALLY MATTER When Choosing EXTERIOR Paint Colors?

Is Iron Mountain a popular color for kitchen cabinets?

While I wouldn’t paint an entire kitchen Iron Mountain, it’s an interesting choice for an island, especially with some of the older-style granite countertops that have colors like this in them. Long story short, no, Iron Mountain isn’t popular for cabinets, as there are far more popular colors for kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities.

The 4 Best Gray & Greige Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets & Vanities

Which paint colors are similar to Iron Mountain?

Sherwin William’s Peppercorn and Iron Mountain are very similar in their intentions. However, there are ALWAYS shifts in undertones, as no two colors are created equal! Sample and compare both to see which best suits your project.

Which paint colors look good with Iron Mountain?

If you’re wanting colors that go with Iron Mountain, it’s a BIT fussy due to its very subtle, passive warmth. Here are some ideas to get you started…

• soft and subtle warm whites or true whites
• avoid shades of blue-green, (as colors or undertones)
• try some subtle warm gray paint colors, but avoid obvious green undertones (lean into violet)
• fun and funky green paint colors can look wicked pretty with Iron Mountain (i.e. Iron Mountain siding, green front door)

READ MORE

Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Cheating Heart

The Best DARK Greige & Taupe Paint Colors

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

Chat soon,

The post Benjamin Moore Iron Mountain 2134-30: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.

When Urbane Bronze showed up as the Color of the Year, I wasn’t surprised at all – it’s like I picked it myself! With its depth, undertones, and range of uses, it’s a GREAT color to try out – which should be the goal of any Color of the Year; it should get people excited to paint SOMETHING!

So, let’s dive into this bad boy and see if he could work for you!

IS URBANE BRONZE GREIGE, BROWN OR GRAY? WARM OR COOL?

Urbane Bronze is one of the more GLORIOUS WARM GREIGE paint colors. What sets it apart is its depth and undertones, both of which we’ll cover shortly.

If you have a north-facing space, Urbane Bronze can fall that bit more into gray while still holding a luscious passive warmth. However, if you have south-facing or afternoon western light, Urbane Bronze will lean into its warmth, picking up a subtle richness. I friggin’ love this color.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

WHAT’S THE LRV OF URBANE BRONZE?

Urbane Bronze has an LRV of 8, so while it’s not THE darkest color, it’s definitely getting down there. The LOW LRV of Urbane Bronze puts it on the slightly darker end of the DARK range – however, it’s not close to being black.

What is LRV? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

WHAT ARE URBANE BRONZE’S UNDERTONES?

While Urbane Bronze has a GLORIOUS greige base, it does have a reasonable green undertone to consider.

Before, this entryway was a bit too standard…

After, it has depth and personality with the trim, sidelight, transom window, and front door painted a striking Urbane Bronze…

Read more: The Best Paint Colors for Your Front Door

SAMPLING URBANE BRONZE WITH PEEL & STICK (SAMPLIZE)

Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!

Learn all about Samplize HERE

WHICH WHITE TRIM COLOR GOES WITH URBANE BRONZE?

Urbane Bronze is pretty flexible regarding coordinating white paint colors so it would depend on the application. Generally speaking, I would look at…

• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove

SHOULD I Paint My Wood Cabinets White? A QUESTIONNAIRE

The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

IS URBANE BRONZE A GOOD COLOR FOR EXTERIOR SIDING OR TRIM?

Heck, yes, Urbane Bronze can be awesome on the exterior, but you need some warm tones in your roof and flexible stones and/or brick to support the warmth and the green undertone.

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

IS URBANE BRONZE A POPULAR SHADE OF GREIGE?

Yes, in the DARK world, Urbane Bronze is reasonably popular, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. What is Urbane Bronze great for? I think the question is, what ISN’T it great for?!

• Kitchen cabinets and islands
• Bathroom vanities
• Front doors
• Exteriors
• Feature walls

…and much more!

IS URBANE BRONZE GOOD ON KITCHEN CABINETS?

Definitely, Urbane Bronze can be just what you need if a standard darker gray paint color isn’t warm enough for your countertop and backsplash.

Before, this kitchen was dated, with late 90s and early 2000s finishes…

After, with Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze as the foundation, this kitchen is 10x better!

See it ALL HERE

WHAT COLOR IS CLOSE TO URBANE BRONZE?

GOOD QUESTION! While there will never be a perfect color match, there are a few similar shades, making them great for comparison.

• Benjamin Moore’s Dragon’s Breath
• Sherwin Williams Ironclad
• Sherwin Williams Porpoise
• Sherwin Williams Thunder Gray
• Sherwin Williams Iron Ore, which is darker than Urbane Bronze but has a subtle warm green undertone

Urbane Bronze vs. 6 TOP GREIGE Paint Colors (including the colors listed above!)

REMEMBER, comparison is key to finding the best paint color.

WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH URBANE BRONZE?

It’s not hard to coordinate with Urbane Bronze, as he’s pretty darn easy to please.

• Urbane Bronze doesn’t love to be partnered with many cooler light gray paint colors
• This dark greige loves other greiges, including medium and light-depth versions
• many warm gray paint colors, especially those with a passive green undertone
• You can also check out some muted, neutralized cream paint colors as well as off-whites

Not sure if Urbane Bronze is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

READ MORE

The 6 Best DARK Greige & Taupe Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams

Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Amherst Gray

Urbane Bronze vs. 6 TOP GREIGE Paint Colors

The 8 Best DARK Greige & Taupe Paint Colors: Benjamin Moore

The Best Paint Colors for Kitchen Islands & Bathroom Vanities

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!

ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2020, UPDATED IN 2023

Chat soon,

The post SHERWIN WILLIAMS URBANE BRONZE SW 7048: Paint Color Review appeared first on Kylie M Interiors.