This is a bit of an addendum to my Right White piece a few weeks ago. In that post, we chose Farrow&Ball All-White 2005. It’s bright, completely neutral, with only “white pigments and no modern brighteners.” Today's project was similar — same question, different solution.
I was called in because the extant white was too cold and bright. What we alighted upon in this instance was Benjamin Moore Floral White OC-29. It warmed these rooms up, was friendly with both wood and chrome, and just when I thought it started to run yellow in one corner, it ran grey in another. Look closely where the walls meet the ceiling and you’ll see what I mean.
Next week, we’ll be more daring and go the opposite direction.
PAINT USED:
• Benjamin Moore Floral White OC-29.
- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter
Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space
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Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
Another Perfect White is Origami White by Sherman Williams in Duration Matte--which has just the slightest sheen and goes on thick like butter!
I would like to choose a paint color for my living room to showcase my landscape paintings. Most of them have a lot of yellows, greens, and golds in they and are in gold frames. Any suggestions on wall color to really make them pop?
Also, any suggestions on lighting art in the home would be appreciated! I am thinking of track lighting.
Thanks for your thoughts on the subject!
These rooms look like "rental white" to me.
I'm an artist myself, and I don't think white is necessarily a good choice for walls with art. I have seen instances in which a gray/mauve was the perfect choice, bringing the art forward without fighting it, the way stark white can. (If anyone can get ahold of it, the September issue of the Italian magazine Case & Stili had the perfect example of an apartment of a big-time New York collector that was painted that way.) On my own walls I have a very soft white called Alpine White with a hint of green. It's not as harsh as some of the standard whites and the art still takes center stage.
This is somewhat off topic but does discuss white from a building manager's perspective.
Our building manager uses Ben. Moore Dove White because it is the same color as the spackle. If a patch is missed, no one will see it. What he fails to see is that the walls are textured. The grayness of the Dove White and the shadow from the texture makes the place look dingy.
We painted our place Ben. Moore Province Blue even though we'll have to repaint when we leave. Completely worth it.
I think a very soft gray would have actually worked better in this apartment for highlighting the work. Especially the more delicate drawings.
I love the white. It's a small space, the owner obviously loves lots of stuff. It maximizes both space and light. It's absolutely the way I would go. Is it the only way to go? Absolutely not.