I am on this same hunt right now. Here are some I am looking at: Farrow and Ball "Tallow", SW "Creamy", BM "Mascarpone" and "Mayonnaise". In my space I'm really noticing that although the colors appear yellow on the sample (even the 11X17 sample card I'm using to tape on the walls to get a feel for things), that when painted on the walls, the colors just all look WHITE. (Guess that's why they're called "whites", haha).

Also there are some threads on here discussing the off-whites, which I have read through and am still getting lots of ideas. Fan decks can really help to see which color family you're looking at.

Hello Elana, Choosing color can be challenging. I understand what you are talking about in the Chicagoland area as I live here too and days like today need some happy walls! The Navajo White looks nice on the walls and I believe with the slight yellow undertone would give a nice warm environment. Things to consider when choosing a color is not only the North facing windows, but your lighting in the room, color of your furniture or kitchen cabinets, flooring and fabrics. Wall color appears different in a room or even on each wall depending on the lighting both natural and artificial.

Color is just one of those things that is so particular to a space because so many other things impact how it looks and can throw it off. Example, I have a bathroom where everything looks great until a certain time in the afternoon when the late setting sun goes through a frosted window and puts a yellow caste on the tile for about 2 hours. So I would say stick with the classic colors that have been around, they have been around for a reason and that is because they usually work. Navajo White is certainly a classic. And then try things in your particular space at different times of the day/season.

I saw a suggestion elsewhere for String Cheese M260-1 by Behr. I know Behr gets a lot of bad press, but the color looks good (on my monitor at least) and I am not opposed to saving some money... Does anyone have experience with this paint? And if Behr is just untenable, what would be the best Benjamin Moore equivalent?

What about SW Dover White? It’s what my house is painted and it is way too creamy for me. Here you can see it in the background against my white cabinets.

@mommyniki, that looks very nice to me in your picture. :) However, when I look at the online swatch, it looks like that color might be a bit darker than I'd like. It seems like your kitchen might be a bit brighter and sunnier than I expect mine to be as well, so it might come out even darker for me.

Elana, do look at Ben Moore's Navajo White as suggested. It seems to have more appeal to me than Sherwin Wms' Navajo White. Maybe due to just a bit less color.

Farrow and Ball Pointing.

@chloebud, the Benjamin Moore Navajo White is one of the samples that I mentioned, but it looks a bit yellow to me. Maybe I will like it better once it is on the wall. One of the other things that is turning me off from it is that my mom says that is the exact color her house used to be, and she repainted, so must not have loved it too much. I remember it, but neither fondly nor with disgust - it was just another "white wall" at the time, before this decision landed at my feet. :)

I used Sw creamy in our house and it is a warm white and I am pleased with it. But you might also want to look at SW alabaster which has less yellow. BM Navaho is also a favorite of mine but can show more yellow in certain light. Look at alabaster.

Elana, I know choosing the right warm white can be hard, especially since much depends on lighting in your home. Maureen mentioned Alabaster that can be another nice one.

This link might help, although it includes Navajo White.

https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-cream-paint-colours-benjamin-moore/ 

This link just came to me via email. Just thought I'd share it with you.

https://mailchi.mp/2f53b07f27cc/modern-neutral-paint-palettes?e=4d61c05d40

Thanks so much for sharing those links. Much appreciated!

Dover is definitely not dark. I have the color swatch on my phone where I’ve been playing with the colors and it’s not accurate. And I definitely don’t have a bright house. I’m actually worried that there’s not enough sun coming in to the living spaces, only a few of the bedrooms. The only windows on that side of the house face east. I want grey for my walls but am getting a super light color to compensate for lack of natural light.

We have been happy with SW Alabaster.

@Kimberly Ellen, that is a beautiful room!

Thanks everyone else for your insights. When Monday comes I'll be able to get some of these samples on the walls and hopefully finally make a decision.

The Panda White looks nice! See how it does with your lighting.

My only comment regarding whites is that, in my experience, even though they often appear too dark, too beige, too whatever on the paint chip, once they’re painted on a large surface they appear much “whiter” than I initially thought.

K Laurence, so true about the "whiter." We had a room done with BM's Swiss Coffee in a previous home. I was NOT convinced but our painter somehow talked me into it. He said it would appear much lighter in that particular room's lighting. He was right...perfect soft white...loved it!

I'm leaning Navajo White now. The sample I painted looked okay to me in the various rooms of the house. Wish me luck!

i love SW Greek Villa, the interior wood trim and all the exterior of our house is Greek Villa. It doesn't show pink or blue or gray or yellow just an opaque white.

I don't think the white paint in the Mediterean homes are actually 'warm'. I think the paint is actually fairly neutral, but that most of the items placed in the spaces have warm tones that are reflected on the painted walls. IMO Navajo White is way too yellow. Consider some of these options. You can't use natural linen with Navajo White.

These images from The Holiday are kind of an updated Mediterranean style.

What color did you go with?

I actually chose Navajo White for my office because it's not as yellow as others. the undertones are more on the peachy end of the spectrum. but I suppose in your space, it reads as too yellow!

Another soft white I like in that category is Sherwin Williams Paper Kraft. it's even peachier than Navajo - but very subtle.

Edit: just realized this is an old post but I'll leave my comment up anyway.

What did you choose?;)

Hello, I went with the Navajo white and I will say that it does often take on a yellow tone. I have stuck with it because it's not bad enough to repaint but it definitely has a yellow tone.

I just painted Snowbound SW pretty soft white!

Thanks @Bren Stove I ended up using the color Oyster by Behr. The painters are just about finished and it has not shown any yellow, green, or blue undertones in the room. Just a nice off white with a tad gray and a tad beige. 13 samples later, choosing paint was way harder than I imagined! Lol

Behr Oyster Paint

What did they use for the trim and ceiling?

Hi all - I am in the midst of pairing my walls hoping For that Mediterranean feel of white. Great comments across the board but wondered what finish did you do - flat, eggshell, satin?

I am updating our master bedroom and it is north-west facing. It also has Brazilian cherry floors and the windows have a green tint to reduce heat in the summer. I too am looking for a creamy white that is not yellow but won't turn pink or peach due to the floors.

Hello all, I am trying to Achieve the same Mediterranean feel …. I am
Leaning towards SW Dover White and trying to compliment with SW Earthern Jug and SW Moscow Midnight. Any suggestions?