Have you considered BM Classic Gray? More depth than Paper White and goes beige to grey to white in my north facing home. Trim is BM Brilliant White.

I have seen that one on the chip and was thinking I should try that one. Do you get a ton of light? The rooms above are east facing

The best way to differentiate between whites is to compare them. In general you can organize whites into distinct categories:

• Cool Whites (blueish) such as BM White Diamond or SW Ceiling Bright White
• True-ish Whites (no discernible undertones) such as BM Chantilly Lace or SW Extra White
• Off-Whites such as BM Simply White, BM Cloud White, BM Snowbound, or SW Alabaster
• Cream such as BM Acadia White, BM Ivory White, SW Dover White, or SW Westhighland White

I'd recommend you get yourself a number of white paint chips, cut them out, group them as above and mount them on a piece of foam white board. Here's a picture of what I made and reference all the time when I'm choosing whites. It really, really helps narrow things down and choose a white. Best of all you can SEE the difference between "whites."

@missenigma thanks so much! I actually have already done what you suggested above, lol! That’s how we narrowed it down to Simply White. i have also used simply white on a few pieces of bedroom furniture. Chantilly lace I currently have on my trim in the house we are selling. It is one of my (and it is my husband‘s) favorite whites but wasn’t sure I’d like it on such a large space, so we were thinking Simply White due to its warmth. My sister just did Alabaster and loves it. My question is really do I stick with an all white scheme or go another direction? I love how rich, crisp, and clean all white can look, but I’m also not naive to the fact that whites photograph well (instagram design profiles etc).... but will I like it in my home On an everyday basis in natural light? I do love a pale warm gray so was more wondering if I should go that route, or if anyone has done white all over and still love it. Does that make sense? I’m probably overthinking a tad 🤯 but it’s a big space and I don’t want to have to repaint a 2 story foyer.

I think 11th hour second guessing isn't doing you any favors, and you run the risk of an impulsive last-minute change that you don't have enough time to vet. It doesn't sound like your concerns about Simply White-on-Simply White are based on anything concrete, just abstract concerns and what-ifs. While I certainly understand your apprehension (big job, don't want to have to redo it), I think you should trust the time and planning you put into coming up with the current plan. You could make a last minute change, but I think it would increase the risk of buyer's remorse because you aren't going to have the time to put the same level of thought that you did in the original decision.

White on white. I would stay with your plan : Simply White on trim and walls (using different sheens).

As you know, whatever white you pick will look different in each room depending upon artificial light, natural light, and reflections from outside in (i.e., green leafed trees causing a green cast).

That said, I think Simply White is a wonderful color to use. The most expensive(i.e,. time-consuming) part of the paint job (aside from prep) is painting trim and doors. I think Simply White on your trim will be a color that you'll be happy with for a long time. It goes with many, many colors and avoids, IMO, the cold harshness that Chantilly Lace can take on.

I'd proceed with your plan to paint everything Simply White. If after the first coat on the wall you don't like it, you can change then (the only potential expense being the need to buy more paint or have it retinted - free). In any event, Simply White on the trim would be done and dusted and ready for whatever wall color you throw at it.

I think Simply White is a great choice. Use matte on the walls, flat on the ceiling and satin on the trim.

We are going with Simply White! @houssaon do you think Matte will hold up ok? I have 3 small children. My husband is set on Matte, but I worry about durability. He’s of course always willing to touch up, but still. Thoughts?

Hold firm to an eggshell or satin. Touching up paint really doesn't work. It will never blend and you'll always be able to see it.

While matte paints, particularly with the introduction of ceramic technology, have come a long way in terms of washability, they still aren't great. What often happens with matte finishes is that as people try to wash an area, the paint in that area easily burnishes - the sheen in that area will become shinier than the surrounding wall. The absolute worst thing you can use on any painted surface, any surface really, are Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. They'll ruin a surface without fail.

I live alone, no kids, no pets, I don't put my hands on the walls. I use BM Regal Classic Eggshell. It's very low sheen but has good washability and resists burnishing. Couple that with BM Advance in a satin for the trim and you'll have sheen that both you and your husband can live with.

I only use matte on the ceiling. I do not use paint formulated for ceilings. I use BM Regal Classic Matte in whatever color I want for the ceiling - usually simply white.

Due to VOC regulations, in many parts of the country, Regal Classic isn't sold. It still is in my area. I like it because it has longer working time.

Can anyone tell me which will have less of a sheen? Satin or Eggshell in BM Aura? I’m hearing conflicting things. Obviously I’ll call in the morning too and ask. @missenigma The problem is the painter finished our dining room today and used Hale Navy in satin finish and (while it looks beautifu) the sheen is way to shiny for us. We may live with it for a while but are also seriously considering having it redone in matte. Could this be because of how dark the color is? This is why I‘m questioning the sheen for the other rooms that we are doing in Simply White. I don’t want to make the same mistake twice.

That's because Satin is one step below semi-gloss in BM's line up. It's pretty shiny.

Sheens and glosses range on a scale from no shine to high shine. Different levels of sheen can affect how colors appear and add dimension to rooms. These are the seven key interior Benjamin Moore paint finishes from lowest to highest sheen. Note the sheen level may differ slightly between their different product lines but the relative positioning stays the same.

• Flat
• Matte
• Eggshell
• Pearl
• Satin
• Semi-Gloss
• High Gloss

@missenigma thank you so much! So if we do go Eggshell on the walls, what do you recommend on the trim and moldings? I did want a contrast since we are using simply on everything

Here's what BM has to say about Eggshell . . .

Eggshell Paint

Eggshell finish, perennially popular with professional and DIY painters alike, has a low-sheen reminiscent of flat or matte, but it is infinitely more durable than its namesake.

Widely available in a variety of Benjamin Moore interior paints, eggshell (and its comparable—but not exact—sheen sibling, low lustre) provides an easy-to-clean, nearly shine-free finish, suited for most areas of a home, including family rooms and hallways. While it reflects more light than flat or matte finishes, its soft glow casts colors beautifully, especially in Aura® Interior Eggshell (524), our most premium paint, a great choice for your most-loved spaces.

Here's what they have to say about Matte . . . (I personally call BS on their claim of withstands frequent washing). I will say I have very little experience with Aura. I've tried it but I detest working with the product and won't use it.

Matte Paint

Matte finish is nearly as shine-free as flat, again providing excellent hide and depth of color, with slightly more durability. Regal® Select Interior Matte (548) is a professional painter favorite for its ease of application and smooth feel after drying. Matte finish paint also withstands frequent washing, even when applied in busier areas like hallways and family rooms.

A matte look lends a luxurious touch to many interior spaces, including bedrooms and dining rooms. Bathrooms and areas that are exposed to more moisture can be painted in a matte finish using Aura® Bath & Spa (532), which was designed to achieve exceptional durability, color retention and mildew resistance in high-humidity environments.

And here's what they say about Satin . . .

Satin Paint

Often confused with other finishes, the difference between eggshell and satin paint is that satin delivers a higher gloss, while offering better stain resistance and durability than lower sheens, including eggshell.

Satin paint is ideal for areas that crave definition. Use its distinctive lustre to highlight windows, shutters, trim and even interior doors. For front doors, where architectural details like beveling and paneling are customary, consider Aura® Grand Entrance Satin to achieve a rich, lustrous look that evokes a look of elegance and luxury.

For your trim and moldings what is the painter using Aura? Advance? I personally like Advance satin for trim. Years back I liked shiny semi-gloss trim but I no longer like it.

If your painter is using Aura for trim would you be happy with the sheen you see on the DR walls on your trim? If so, then satin might be your answer. I don't know how shiny the Aura satin sheen is relative the Advance satin sheen. I can also say if the painter is using satin Advance for trim, don't freak out when you first see it and think it's too shiny. It will be. As it cures over time, the sheen dies down to a very nice soft, dull shine.

Here's a picture of some interior doors I recently painted with Advance satin . . .

Can anyone tell me which will have less of a sheen? Satin or Eggshell in BM Aura?

Do not buy Aura in Eggshell or Satin for walls. The eggshell sheen is what most people expect from a satin.

You want Aura matte. Durability is arguably the best there is and it touches up extremely well.

Gloss and sheen are not standard across brands --- or even grades within a single brand.

Gloss level is super important to some people. In those cases I recommend investing in a quart of the color, sheen and grade you intend to use before buying gallons so you can see what it actually looks like.

Others are can make a decision by asking for sheen samples on display or from behind the counter.

Could this be because of how dark the color is?

Yes. Dark colors require more colorant and colorant contributes to sheen (shine).

The technical data sheets are available for each paint line and gloss/sheen.

Eggshell in Regal Select has a sheen measurement of 15-22 @85 degrees

Eggshell in Aura has a sheen measurement of 12-22 @85 degrees

Virtually the same.

The next level up goes from a sheen measurement to a gloss measurement

Pearl in Regal Select has a gloss measurement of 15-25 @60 degrees

Satin in Aura has a gloss measurement of 28-38 @60 degrees

Semi-gloss in both lines is 50-60 @60 degrees.

Agree with missenigma suggestion that you use Advance for doors and trim. It is far more durable and made specifically for doors and trim.

I would use eggshell on the walls and Advance Satin on the doors and trim.

I also use Regal Select for walls. I have tested Aura and Regal Select on my walls, both in eggshell, and quite frankly did not see much of a difference, certainly not enough difference to warrant $20.00 a gallon price difference and a lower sf/gallon coverage rate. (350-400 SF/Gallon for Aura and 400-450 SF/Gallon for Regal Select)

Reading a lot about the various paints I do understand that Aura is supposed to add richness to deep and bright colors that is not obtainable with other lines, but you are painting Simply White. Before making the commitment I would get a quart of each and paint a wall 1/2 and 1/2 and see if the end result is worth the extra money.

For 2 coats of paint in my home I calculated a 33% savings using Regal Select over Aura.

I always use a matte on walls! It gives a beautiful, velvety, elegant finish! It is washable! I dislike a sheen on walls and the light hitting it and bouncing around; highlighting any little defect.

Eggshell on the walls - Matte is really not very washable. I do semi gloss on my trim and it doesn't appear shiny.

I respectfully disagree. The Aura matte is quite washable . I have no problem with the matte Regal select either. If you should have to touch it up it’s much easier as well; preferable to do a small touch up that won’t show to having to paint the whole wall because it will show with a higher sheen paint.

Price per BM website

I’d do BM DelicateWhite

I see that BM pairs Hale Navy with Simply White, so it stands to reason that you would choose that for the entry. Simply White has a yellowish undertone. Have you considered going with something with a bit more yellow in it, for the walls? Something like Man on the Moon, Milky Way or — my all time favorite — Hawthorne Yellow (which sits well in proximity to Hale Navy)? I think an all-white entry hall is a bit bland.

Hi all, we chose Simply White in the Aura matte! Thank you so so much for all of your input, I did not take any advice lightly and was on the phone with BM this morning until the last minute when my painter was texting for my final answer 😂

I talked to the owner at the local BM store who has been in the business for 50 years. He recommended the Aura Matte for what I’m looking for. He told me that the Aura Eggshell does show up more shiny than the Regal Select Eggshell. I asked him if I should go with the Regal Eggshell then, and he said to still go with the Aura Matte because it is actually more durable and also just as “scrubbable”.

My husband reminded me that in our current home, we have BM White Down in Aura Matte (in my playroom of all places). I went downstairs with a rag and some dawn soap and water and scrubbed a very well loved (ie dirty) wall. It really cleaned up nicely and that paint had been in my playroom for almost 11 years. I felt much more confident after that to go with the Aura Matte. He also said it will touch up easier than Eggshell so win win.

Now we wait and hope it all works out. Thank you all again!

Thanks for closing the loop and sharing your findings on Aura. I'm sure it will help others in the future. Hopefully everything else goes off without a hitch. God knows we've all got enough other stressors in our life.

Please post "after" photos when all is done!