apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

hmm, i guess i'd take the off-white color and continue it on the header to connect the other walls if you want to keep it otherwise go all-white. White would look good w/natural floors.

I'd use the off white under and around the window because that's the wall of the room, and then white on any part that's the built in, including the header.

off-white and white? ick.

White and off-white? Are you sure you want to be that daring? ;)

Actually, would you mind saying who you used to make the radiator covers (and how expensive it was)? Thanks! I've been thinking about using Gothic cabinet craft, but haven't been so happy with the samples they showed me.

Honestly, I can't imagine white and off-white working together. I was going to say that I'd leave all the shelving and the bench white while painting the rest of the room off-white (closet included), but I think that might make it look like you attempted to match the shelving & bench to the walls and failed.

For the walls, how about a soft gray instead of off-white? That would probably look nice with your white and metal furniture and your frosted glass closet doors. I think it would look nice with a natural wood floor too.

white and off-white... why white and off-white? are you trying to keep a designer white feel, but "warm" the room up at the same time? if that's a reason for your (as michael w. said) daring idea, you will probably get the same feel from the shadows and natural lighting -- your new built-ins will create gentle variations.

The room doesn't get much light so I'd like a light color but still something that contrasts to the white built-ins. I've been looking at the Benjamin Moore off-white collection and there are many options that seem like they would offer enough contrast. I'm more and more tempted to go with all white though or just a contrast wall behind the bed since I'm still not sure a different color for built-ins and walls would work.

Thanks for the comments!

SCK:

The radiator cover was made by a carpenter who works for my building. I don't think he does any work outside our building. I don't know what the price for it is since I'm paying a lump sum for all the work done.

My contractor has just built some very nice radiator covers - not sure of price as we did a lot of work, and it was bundled, but in general has has been quite reasonable, and very high quality. His contact info is 'Creative Concepts First' - Nestor Kalogrias - 646..241.6095

I would paint all the millwork and the bottoms of any gyp bd soffits white, and then I'd paint the rest of the wall surfaces off white. If you are using Benjamin Moore paints, Super White would be a great white against their softer light grey China White. The Super White will pop against the China White.