Photo: Jane Lockhart<\/a>\u00a0\/ Paint: Simply White\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n Before you get rolling, consider this. \u201cOne of the biggest problems with white paint is that it doesn\u2019t look white when it goes on the walls,\u201d the designer explains. \u201cThe paint reflects other colors that are in the room or more importantly, transforms into a color you didn\u2019t intend once you review it against other elements in the space.\u201d<\/p>\n Things to consider are the type of artificial lighting (the same white will look slightly different with halogen versus LED bulbs), your room\u2019s geographic exposure and other paint colors, furniture, flooring and design elements around it.<\/p>\n In the end, it\u2019s all about undertones, the automatic result of mixing two or more colors together.<\/p>\n The designer breaks it down: \u201cA warm undertone in white paint will have a bit more yellow in the color, tempered with black paint. A cool undertone will usually have some blue in it, tempered with black. Those undertones will really come out when they\u2019re against other items in the room. If you have warm wood floors, for example, you\u2019ll want to look for a white with warmer undertones to complement it.\u201d Photo: Jane Lockhart<\/a> \/ Paint: Cloud White<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cFor overall use, a good warm white is Benjamin Moore\u2019s Cloud White which has a touch of yellow and black in it,\u201d Lockhart suggests.<\/p>\n The designer recommends trying it on your ceiling instead of the typical pre-mixed white you can grab off the shelf at the hardware store.<\/p>\n Photo: Jane Lockhart <\/a>\/ Paint: Simply White<\/em><\/p>\n Simply White is a crisp warm white with slightly less yellow than its sister, Cloud White.<\/p>\n Lockhart gravitates to Simply White when going for a more modern feel to complement warm accents in the room.<\/p>\n Photo: Jane Lockhart<\/a> \/ Paint: White Down (on trim, wainscotting and crown)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n According to Lockhart, White Down is the perfect antique white, without leaning too yellow or making the walls look aged. \u201cIt feels very natural but still appears white,\u201d she says. \u201cThis is a great color for kitchen cabinets if you wish for your space to feel a little more relaxed overall.\u201d<\/p>\n Lockhart explains that White Down is a more taupe-based white, so it maintains its warmth without going flat. But before you commit, be sure to match the color against any white accents in the space, like kitchen tile or appliances, to ensure it\u2019s complementary.<\/p>\n Photo: Jane Lockhart <\/a>\/ Paint: Oxford White (on wainscotting)\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n For Lockhart, the Goldilocks of white paint is Oxford White.<\/p>\n \u201cMy favorite white sits in the middle,\u201d the designer explains. \u201cOxford White isn\u2019t too blue or too yellow. It\u2019s got a little bit more black to it than Simply White and Cloud White, without going grey. A great choice if you want a clean, bright white and a modern look.\u201d<\/p>\n Looking to paint your trim to enhance the architectural details? Oxford White is a safe bet, Lockhart suggests.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Jane-Lockhart-Simply-White.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhy white is so tricky<\/h2>\n
Even white paint has undertones<\/h2>\n
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\nIn the paint industry, there is no white that hasn\u2019t been tinted with other colors, even slightly. \u201cPeople often only think of undertones when they\u2019re talking about color, but you won\u2019t find a white without them.\u201d<\/p>\nThe designer favors white shades from Benjamin Moore and has turned to these five again and again.<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Paint-swatch.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\nCloud White (OC-130)<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Cloud-White-Jane-Lockhart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSimply White (OC-117)<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Jane-Lockhart-Bedroom-Simply-White.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhite Down (OC-131)<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/White-Down-Cieling-Jane-Lockhart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nOxford White (CC-30)<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Jane-Lockhart-Oxford-White.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDecorator\u2019s White (CC-20)<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.livabl.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Decorators-White-Jane-Lockhart.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n