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Help!!!!! Benjamine Moore whites!!!!!

6 years ago

Going for a very neutral color pallet this go around. Chose Super White BMoore (PM-1) So far my painter has painted it in our 2 story living room, lots of windows, 6 ceiling to floor to be exact. (I will try to add photo, my icloud is acting up?@#) After being with the Super White for a few days, we felt it was a bit cold...switched it up to "Calm" OC-22. Two coats later I see hues of pink/peach!@#$ I then went and retrieved 4 different samples, certain one of these would work. Silver Satin OC-26, Balboa Mist OC-27, Collingwood OC- 28, and Classic Gray OC-23. Two of those- way too dark and the other 2 I'm nervous about seeing gray hues...(which I do not want) I lean brown/yellow/taupe. ..I shutter to say yellow tho. Now I am back to considering the original Super White. I definitely like crisp colors, and have no problem picking saturated colors, but these whites are KILLING me!!!!! I also need to pick a white for all my floor trim, by tomorrow!!! So I guess my question is, would I notice a warmer white if I went with Decorators White PM-3? or White PM-2 or China White PM-20? I need a colorist in my home but no time now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm trying to find a compromise to bright/warm vs. the "white out" look!

Comments (14)

  • 6 years ago

    We painted the walls of our new house Benjamin Moore Canvas 267. It is a warm white and I really like it. We used Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak White on the ceiling (the lighter paint)



  • 6 years ago
    Our trim is Simply White. It’s white without being stark/cold and WHITE like Super White (which we used in a bathroom) but it’s also not too creamy (in our light/rooms) where it leans toward yellow/ivory.
  • 6 years ago
    What is going in the room? That’s your starting point. Simply White is a soft white on the warmish side without looking yellow. As long as your trim isn’t a blue white.
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I can tell you that Silver Satin OC-26, Balboa Mist OC-27, Collingwood OC- 28, and Classic Gray OC-23 aren't white. DLM is right, we'll be throwing names of BM whites at you for a while because there are a lot but it's all anecdotal. :( Perhaps a paint expert will chime in with colour values, chroma, etc.

    Are these whites for trim or walls?

    My suggestions:

    Oxford White (CC-30) doesn't get mentioned often but it's always struck me as an easy to live with white with no discernible undertones.

    Chantilly Lace (OC-65) - nice bright white that only reads cool in the winter months for me (south-western exposure, northern latitude).

    Simply White (OC-117) - as iamtiramisu mentioned, it reads creamy not stark. If you lean towards tans, beiges and taupes for decor, I think this would be a good choice.

    Decorator's White ()C-149) reads grey to me in natural light. Would not be my first pic for a warm-toned decor palette.

    Same thing with White (OC-151). It's a very cool white. Not familiar with China White.

    Another to consider (sorry): Cotton Balls (OC-122). Between Bavarian Cream and Mountain Peak White on the colour strip. Reads a touch or two warmer than my Chantilly Lace walls. LRV of 90.67 so bright.

    Does your BM store not have an on-site colour consultant?

    ETA: If you're going for white walls, I would pick the same white for trim and walls. Use semi-glossy for trim and eggshell for walls. Why break your head trying to find a second white?

  • 6 years ago

    Just went through this for a bathroom - I feel your pain! Spent hours mulling over the BM whites. Sorry to say I did not hit the nail on the head with my choice. I ended up choosing "Pure White" which is actually a lovely color but definitely on the blue side -not the exact color I was looking for (but I can live with it :)). Did you consider White Dove or Dove Wing? To my eye both of these have more of a griege/taupe/yellow-ish undertone (but what do I know? - Ha!). I selected Chantilly Lace for the trim, which is a nice bright, crisp white and looks great as the trim color. I think Decorator's White (which was also in the running for my bathroom) is also on the cool side, but it has very good reviews on interior design forums. Good luck!

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    You mention lots of windows, so natural light will have a huge impact on any color you choose?

    When you decide on the white, paint your woodwork the same in semi-gloss, so regardless of the light or time of day it is all the same. You are looking at the paint as a lonely soldier. Once you add your rugs and fabrics, it will come to life.

    Decorator’s white is okay, but not china white…it can look dirty, especially if you have other whites in the room.

    My favorite is B.M. Super White or S.W. Pure White.



  • 6 years ago

    I had the very same dilemma! I ended up with grey mist! Try a large sample of that on your wall, it is a white that leads off white, without being too cool, rather warm, and goes well with my cream dinning chairs. It does not look grey at all! I did it in a Matt and the wall look like velvet. Beautiful.

  • 6 years ago

    I just went through this with wall color. It was driving me crazy! I tried dozens of large samples and they all changed throughout the day - slightly grey, green, yellow, or peach; sometimes even violet crept in. The day before painters were arriving, I had to pick one that I like most of the time. When it morphs into a color I am not fond of, I try not to stare at the walls and shift my attention to something else (like how much I detest the fireplace surround - haha).

    Best of luck.

  • 6 years ago

    omgosh dsgts! so true thnx for the chuckle!!! Thanks for all the suggestions everyone! With my limited window of time (think accidental day off as painters van wouldn't start today) I had a stay of execution so to speak!!! Believe it or not, it all helps...eliminating some and adding others based on suggestions! I'll will update. Love the pic Judy G Designs...pretty spot on what I hope to end up with on my end, love your taste! ps I can't get my husband excited about the lucite chairs...but I hope to incorporate them! So fun!


  • 6 years ago
    We just painted our college aged daughter’s room Super White. It was the only white that did not read blue or pink or yellow. It’s a true white in the space and exactly what we wanted.
  • 6 years ago

    I'm using BM Super White -as we speak - in a kitchen on the north side of the house and like it a lot. It has a bit of sienna pigment.


  • 6 years ago

    I used BM White. I find it to be a very good neutral white. It does not read yellow, pink, blue, etc. in our home. My parents also have it and in both homes I think it's a very true white. It's not super bright either like some of the other BM whites.

  • 6 years ago

    Get a copy of Maria Killam's ebook "White is Complicated". It will help get you off the which white is right merry-go-round.

    https://www.mariakillam.com/product/white-is-complicated/