We are painting the walls in our new home white. This feels like it should be an easy task to pick white paint, right? I mean, here is a white paint chip:
Only it's not really white.
Suddenly it looks very peachy, right? (I did no editing or filtering on these photos. These are straight out of my phone.)
Color is relative. We see colors — even white — differently depending on what it's next to.
White:
Actually, it's vaguely green:
Again and again — the whites seem to change even photo to photo:
I swear to you that in the store, every single one of these paint chips looked like a clean crisp white…until they all got together:
It's a reminder to me to explore more subtlety in my color choices when I'm painting.
If you'd like to read more about color relativity, this is an article I enjoyed.
Thanks for stopping by!
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Gotta love the different whites with hues. Warm whites can be so much better on large areas. Cool that you are at the stage of painting. Thanks for sharing.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
Been there! Benjamin moore “Vapor” color in their basic paint line. Supposedly this is a warm white vs a cool white. For me it is a soft white, used throughout my house. Enjoy the process.
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
LOL, LOL, LOL! I had some work done in my Mom’s kitchen and had to choose new paint. We made many trips to Home Depot. The guy who was going to paint brought paint chips to the house. Behr brand even has a pamphlet with their many shades of white. We ended up going with a very light tan-tinted white on ceilings and most walls, but a little darker mid-tone for certain walls in the kitchen. Actually it turned out pretty good, but now I want him to continue painting the lightest color. It’s almost done now, so no going back!
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
I always seem to use Benjamin Moore Decorators White. It hints at gray but looks quite white. I’ve used it now in 4 different homes.
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hahahaha! Years ago, my neighbours almost got divorced over which white paint to choose!
Paint chips in the store are one thing, but at home is key–and then throughout the day and evening. They change so much with time of day, and which lights you have on. Ended up with Benjamin Moore’s “white dove” in my basement, which has a pale wheat-y colour carpet. Furniture doesn’t count, because it’s going to be recovered, once I figure out how the room looks all painted White Dove. (It’s very dark brown barn board right now. Almost mahogany. No, we didn’t do it. But we have lived with it for over 30 years…..)
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!
Hi Julie~
Not only are the whites varied when compared but they’ll also change depending on what colors you put with them (woodwork, furniture) and what the coloring of neighboring buildings can actually do! I had a business and rooms were painted white but right across from me was a building painted barn red. Late in the afternoon my front room looked mauve!
It’s worth getting some foam core board and the small bottles of samples companies like Benjamin more make and paint a good sized piece, about half of the foam core sheet at least. Watch what happens at different times of day and in different rooms.
Have fun and remember it’s only paint and easy enough to change!