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Design DilemmaPaint
laurakay1989

SW7006 Extra White

3 years ago

This dilemma is for a new construction house that is not yet complete.

I want bright, crisp, clean plain white walls. So, I chose SW7006 as my main wall colour throughout my home, as it was my understanding that it fit my aforementioned criteria for a white.

My vision throughout this home is plain white walls, a combination of white, black, and stained maple cabs, marble-look tiles, Infinity white quartzite counters, with some deep green accents (wanted to start with a neutral blank slate and add personality and dimension via decor pieces, artwork, plants, etc).

The wall paint job is not finished yet, but I can see now why people say they see an obvious coolness to this paint colour. Cabinets are not installed, and my trim is up but still has to be painted. Trim and cabs will be High Reflective White (ordered and paid already, cannot be changed), so now I am paranoid that the difference in trim colour will bring out the coolness of Extra White even more. Admittedly, I tend to prefer a warm, inviting look to a house
so not sure why I chose a cool white for my main colour :| However, Alabaster, White Dove, and the like just seemed too creamy/ivory for that crisp, clean look I want.

To make matters slightly worse, we also already painted over another white colour that I did not like (!!) so repainting a third time with another new colour is out of the question. At this point the finished product will be Extra White walls and High Reflective White trim and cabinetry.
I am starting to panic about how this will all turn out, and feel that I’ve somewhat ruined my vision by choosing such a cool-looking white for my walls.

Has anyone felt this way halfway through the design or build process, and once everything was finished and decorated, they were relieved and happy with the result?

My husband, friends, and our contractors keep telling me that I am analyzing this white paint situation to death and overthinking too much, and that everything will come together in the end with proper lighting and decor etc. I am exceedingly grateful for this home and just want to love every aspect of it.

Thanks for reading this very long rant and if you have any words of reassurance I would appreciate it!!!

Featured Answer
  • 3 years ago

    UPDATE: For anyone who may be reading this thread with a similar quandry. The paint work is nearing completion now and the SW Extra White paint looks beautiful. With the trims painted and pot lights installed, I do not see any blue colour on the walls. It looks like a beautiful, clean, bright plain white. In northern exposure with all my interior lights turned off, yes, it does have a bit of a cool or grey cast to it. Not sure how avoidable this is with white walls in general - I feel most will show some shadows in poor lighting. Overall, I love the colour and it has turned out to be the look that I envisioned :) Thanks to those who offered their input with my dilemma!

    Comments (14)

    • 3 years ago

      I’m not sure if this will be any help, but this blogger used Extra White on the interior and exterior of her lovely home in Michigan. I think it looks amazing.

      https://www.thelilypadcottage.com/house-tour/lily-pad-cottage-ii/

    • 3 years ago

      Thank you for sharing! Her home is stunning! I can definitely see the bright crispness in these photos, which is exactly what I want in my home. I see she has a lot of greys and blues as well; Extra White is probably the perfect white in this space. I hope it will translate the same way for me in the end :)

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    • 3 years ago

      It’s definitely a beautiful home. One thing I‘ve learned when combining whites (per Lori Sawaya here on Houzz) is to make sure they have a minimum chroma difference of .20 to keep one from looking dirty/dingy. The difference between EW and HRW is only .9.



    • 3 years ago

      the lighting will make all the difference in the end. Keep Calm and Carry On.

    • 3 years ago

      Yes, you’re right about that. I saw that from Lori as well (after everything was ordered and delivered, of course) which is actually why I’m super anxious about the end result. It’s too late to change it now though regardless, the general contractor won’t entertain a change again! Paint has been the hardest thing for me to choose, I wish I just paid for a colour consult a long time ago. Hindsight is 20/20 :(

    • 3 years ago

      Agree with @Lyn Nielson -- purposeful texture will also go a long way to warming up a crisp white space (think wood, rugs, drapes, nubby throws, etc...) You might want to hire a designer to help you with the space when you are done with construction, which would be easier and less money than repainting - hang in there, it will be GREAT!

    • 3 years ago

      Thank you so much for this positivity!!! I’m really excited to add my decor pieces and my plan was to warm things up via those elements. Hoping everything comes together with that to complete my vision!!

    • 3 years ago

      “…purposeful texture will also go a long way to warming up a crisp white space (think wood, rugs, drapes, nubby throws, etc...)”

      Exactly. If you peruse the link I posted you’ll see a lot of warm woods and textures included with the Extra White walls.

    • 3 years ago

      I have extra white on all my walls (with some wallpaper here and there). I love it! It’s so clean and modern but doesn’t feel sterile. I do have a LOT of windows and high ceilings. Natural light is key to make this color white work IMO. Couple photos…(figured these might help as I have a black and white theme throughout my home as well)

    • 3 years ago

      KR - That looks amazing!!! Especially the second photo! The style of my new house is more transitional but I also have the black window frames with large floor to ceiling windows, so that definitely gives me an idea for sure. It looks just like a beautiful clean white in your photos, which is exactly the look I want. Thank you for sharing!

    • 3 years ago

      Great, Laura!👍🏻

    • 3 years ago

      Yay happy for you!! ☺

    • 2 years ago

      K values of bulbs can add warmth or influence perception


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