We Answer Wednesday - 6 Best Trim Paint Colours

"My house needs a fresh paint job.  I feel good about picking a wall colour but do you have any suggestions for the perfect white trim paint colour?"

You are so right, picking the right white can be tricky.  The look of a fresh coat of paint is spectacular and painting that trim really completes the feel. But like every other colour - there are many qhites to choose from.  Not knowing which paint colour you will choose, your safest best is you use a pure and true white tone, you can't go wrong with that. We have a few favourites to share with you.

1. Simply White by Benjamin Moore - this was BM colour of the year for 2016. 



2. Cloud White by Benjamin Moore - this is a designer (and painter) go-to.



3. Decorator's White by Benjamin Moore -just like the name, it is a decorator's (and painter's) favourite.  It's clean and crisp.



4. Ultra Pure White by BEHR - so clean and so crisp -this is one of the purest whites you will see.



5. Extra White by Sherwin-Williams - a great white trim choice, bright white!



6. All White by Farrow & Ball - a perfect white




 Other trim painting tips:

Caulking - be sure that before you start painting that trim to caulk any gaps

Order - paint the trim first and then the walls

Finish - be sure to use a semi-gloss  when it comes to choosing a finish for your trim. A semi-gloss adds even more brightness but also when it comes to cleaning, the dust doesn't stick!

We Answer Wednesday - White Walls

"I love the look of white walls, it's so clean and bright but everyone keeps telling me that my home will look sterile and cold if I paint my walls white.  Any advise or suggestions?"

Paint can really transform a room - it can make it bright and bold, dark and sultry or light and airy....we love what paint can do for a room.  sometimes picking the right colour can be a BIG challenge.  The under tones of paint can really shine through depending on the light, time of day, and surrounding finishes.  So we never recommend falling in love with a paint colour in a store - you really need to see it in the space and over the course of a day.  We are huge fans of testing out swatches on a wall and not just looking at a small chip. Some paint companies do offer large (like 8x11) chips that you can tape to the wall - this is a great option to explore! Use the small chips to narrow down your choices but get the samples or large hips to really see what the colour will look like.

 

When it comes to white - the choices are plentiful! You have warm whites, cool whites, blue whites, pink whites, grey whites etc.....Every white looks different in every space.  All white walls is a very clean look.  It can look sterile if you aren't careful.

Here are points to consider when it comes to painting your walls white:

1. Consider the natural light source. Before painting a room white, identify its orientation. Rooms that face away from the noonday sun receive gray-blue light, which is great for a summer bedroom, a gym or a studio where you want constancy. A clear white paint will optimize the light of these spaces while keeping things cool.

 The same white color, though, would not work in a north-facing family room in a cool, snowy climate. White’s visual relationship to the snow and ice outside the windows would be visually chilling. Instead, try tinting your white with red, yellow or orange or selecting a color from Benjamin Moore’s Off-White Collection for rooms where you plan to eat, socialize and linger.

 

2.  What’s outside affects what’s inside.
Rooms with a view of the ocean can be spectacular. For a summer residence, white walls can enhance the benefits of living by the sea, opening the house up and bringing the cool water view closer.

If you have already decided to paint your walls white and your home has a breathtaking view, consider painting the trim to match. Eliminating the delineation between the walls and woodwork with white paint will allow the landscape to remain frameless, expanding the view’s presence in your home. This strategy (painting both walls and trim the same), used to drop out the architecture obstructing the view, can be used with any color, but it is most effective with white because of its reflectivity.

 

3.  Reconsider the gallery look. There’s a reason galleries paint their walls and trim the same bright, white paint color: It drops out the architectural details and focuses attention on the artwork. The same method works for homes, too.

Remember white does show off imperfections - scuffs, nail pops and more...so be prepared for regular maintenance.  This is not the best option for families with young children and the pure and crisp colour is not very forgiving.

 

4.  Pay attention to history. White is classic, formal, refined and restrained in style. For your Greek revival or federal interiors, white will be expected on trim and on walls in the kitchen and third-floor bedrooms. Make the mistake of painting everything white, and your home will look like a builder’s “flip.”

 

5.  Use white to expand spaces. Rooms painted white appear larger due to the amplification of light. Shadows and edges also diminish in white spaces. When creating a palette for your home, try to keep in mind that cool white drops back in space and can be used to enlarge and open your smaller spaces.

 

We recommend making selections that you love - you should be surrounded by the looks and styles that you love.  To keep white walls from looking sterile we suggest: keeping some art, wall decor or photos on the walls - they will pop off the walls.  Stick with a white that has a satin or semi-gloss finish so you have a reflective finish (a flat or eggshell finish in white never looks rich). Take the time to pick the right white. We also love to mix white walls with texture - so look at flooring, window dressings, plants, decor accessories even fireplace mantles to add some texture and character in the space.

White walls is a great look and perfect for anyone with a great view, great art pieces and lots of texture in their space. 

White Hot!

White is a classic.  Some say it's boring but we think it is chic and timeless plus it is totally transitional and works with all styles of decor.  Benjamin Moore even picked their 2016 paint colour of the year as 'Simply White'. White is so clean, crisp and fresh!

In honour of today's #snowday - here are some of our white on white rooms:



Monotone decor is so stylish but the key is texture.  We love this white on white bedroom. The mixture of  subtle print in the throw pillows, the antler table lamp bases and that over sized cable knit throw blanket is unbelievable cozy - why would you ever want to get out of bed if this was your bedroom?



This white on white condo living room is so chic.  Not ideal for a family (yikes the stains!) but we love the layering of pillows and soft prints but adding a few natural elements really ground the room.  The banana leaf plant and wood/iron coffee table break up the white. Light tones really work well in a small space.



 White works so well with a nautical theme.  This stylish beach house has that white washed and drift wood look and a few pops of blue add to the beach house look.  This is the perfect balance of relaxed casual and elegance.



See how glamorous white can be?! Paired with touches of gold and a pop of cheetah so luxurious and glam! We love this combination.




When you think of farmhouse you may not think of white, but why not? We love the touches of white in this farmhouse kitchen and dining space.  The white kitchen is so timeless but the harvest table with the white wash treatment paired with the  white metal chairs - it is spot on!



Who says white and rustic don't work well together? We love this combination - the white 'canvas' really helps the rustic character stand out.  You really notice this incredible coffee table and the other wood elements in this room.




White decor can also be dramatic - it's all about the pieces and the combinations.  This elegant bedroom has a subtle and soft combination of grey and white tones.  The room is so tailored and just stunning.

Update with Paint!

The smartest, quickest, and most convenient way to give any room a new look is through the use of color. The ‘right color’ can instantly revitalize an interior, camouflage cosmetic imperfections, and minimize architectural flaws. Paint can dramatically change the ambiance of a room, create harmony within a décor, build illusion, and accent an interior with personal taste.
In this week’s blog post, we would like to share our 16 favorite Benjamin Moore paint colors. From the best whites, grey, taupes, yellows, reds and more!
Now, why Benjamin Moore? Some of you may like other brands that are affordable but we personally prefer BM paints. It’s what we normally use for our clients and believes that they are a good investment.
Here are our top picks:

#1 Chantily Lace

 

image source: homebunch.com

This white has a light hint of grey. It is crisp, clean and bright. It looks fresh against grey and is perfect for trim and cabinets.

# 2 White Dove

 

image source: theinspiredroom.net

White dove has a faint yellow undertone and works so well with traditional furniture and gives off a beautiful gloss for trim. The warm and soft color is perfect for the bedroom, living room, kitchen and bath.

#3 Linen White

 

image source: thewriterandresidence.com

Linen white can make a room feel so clean yet cozy. It has a bit of warmness to it and not overly crisp. So classic!

#4 Edgecomb Gray

 

image source: postcardsfromtheridge.com

This soft, barely there type of grey is perfect for any room with lots of natural light. It compliments everything and works well with almost any color.

#5 Coventry Grey

  

image source: www.houzz.com

Coventry Gray can be used as a shy neutral or for a pop of color. It has blue undertones and the atmosphere it creates is incredibly relaxing. It is so modern and fresh.
Must read: Make Use of Creative Color Schemes

#6 Yarmouth Blue

  

image source: amidesign.com

Yarmouth blue is one of the best light blues out there. Paint your bathroom with it for that extra calming effect.

#7 Mannequin Cream

  

image source: myoldcountryhouse.com

This light, creamy yellow is ideal for spring. It’s not too yellow nor too pale to our liking. It feels so inviting and comforting.

#8 Mesquite

 

image source: housebeautiful.com

Mesquite is a gray green color that works well in a country bedroom or modern when paired with darker shades of green or gray.

Check out: Should You Paint Your Wood Kitchen Cabinets?

#9 Narragansett Green

 image source: housebeautiful.com

This is a color we are so in love with. Look how beautiful that cottage is! Nothing is more perfect than Narragansett Green for that lakeside cottage.

#10 Clay Beige

image source: houzz.com

This neutral beige has green and red undertones to it. Clay Beige looks perfect with browns and blues.

#11 Greenbrier Beige

image source: janelockhart.com

If you want to work on a room with dark, wooden floor, try Greenbrier beige. We just love the warmth and gorgeousness it creates.

#12 Soft Marigold

image source: spicerandbank.blogspot.com

Orange doesn’t have to be ‘popsicle orange’. Soft Marigold is that type of orange that can make any room looks romantic and sexy.

#13 Exotic Red

image source: homebunch.com
This is a deep, saturated red. Paint your kitchen chairs and cabinet with it for a playful vibe.

#14 Million Dollar Red

  image source: restylinghomebykellyblog.com
Another rich red variant that we adore is Million Dollar Red. It brings a sharp, sophisticated look and exudes a bold and a million-dollar-look to any room, hence the name.

#15 Razzle Dazzle

image source:  jbidny.com

Oh, we love pink! And Razzle Dazzle is a show stopper. It can make any room fabulous, flirty and feminine.

#16 Blushing Bride

image source:  decorpad.com

This Ben Moore pink, on the other hand, is so subtle and so soft on the eyes. Perfect for your crafts room, home office or nursery.
Disclaimer: This is not an advertorial for Benjamin Moore paint products.
If you wish to learn more about Benjamin Moore paints, visit www.benjaminmoore.com.