apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Super white is excellent in south facing rooms. Not so great in north facing rooms.

where is that table from?

We just went with Benjamin Moore Decorators white in our kitchen, which tends to be a little dark, and worked out beautifully and lightened up the room significantly:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28647705@N06/2822662797/

Good luck!

Donald Kaufman is the master of white.

I love everything about this room. So clean, uncluttered and fresh looking. I don't like that chair in far back right corner though. It reminds me too much of dorm room furniture. I would also love to see a large urn overflowing filled with a bunch of herbs and green plants.

is BM sponsoring the paint purchase? 'Cuz Sherwin Williams makes some great whites, too. I like their "Creamy".

We did our cielings in Sherwin Williams Alabaster - and they're stellar.

I'd love to see a follow up to this post! We recently used Benjamin Moore's Cloud White, but then I reverted back to Behr's 'Nude' when I heard of Home Depot's paint rebate program a few months back. I really do love Behr Nude. We've been living with it for seven years now. It is the perfect backdrop for artwork and is more of a mellow white than a beige.

I'm a big fan of decorator's white. It's a very balanced white with a hint (maybe 1%-5%) of gray.

These pictures are a bit dated and the home is still a work in progress but you can see various colors against the decorator's white background.

http://www.jasonlopes.com/pictures-of-the-living-room-dining-room-and-kitchen/

My New York apartment came painted in BM China White and while it is nice, it is a bit creamier than I would have liked. I would paint but we have 20' high ceilings and it would be a major project to do.

Everyone I know uses Decorator's white (I'm in the industry) and I have never seen it look bad. Hands down it is my favorite white.

I've been very happy with BM White Dove for walls and BM Super White for trim/doors in my Victorian-era house. I think it's nice to have a couple shades for a little bit of contrast.

benjamin moore 'simply white' 2143-70...hands down, best white.

I love the white floor... Does anybody happend to know what kind of floor is that?

We used Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace on our trim and ceiling. It's a very neutral, bright white and we were really happy with it.

As Seaside stated, Donald Kaufman is the master of white.

He has developed white paints for top architects, in many museums and galleries (Richard Meier's Getty Museum for one, John Pawson's Calvin Klein store on Madison in New York for another).

I've used 2 of Kaufman's whites in my own home, and they are by far the most beautiful whites I have ever seen or lived with. They glow and change with the different lighting conditions throughout the day and throughout the year. I never tire of them.

I became consumed with his whites after wandering into the Calvin Klein store and having the most amazing sensation there of peace and serenity -- the walls literally glowed, even though it wasn't the most beautiful of days. So I did my research, and found that Donald Kaufman was behind the paint.

I get mine from Fine Paints of Europe, formulated in the Dutch paint (it is what he uses for his private and custom clients); just speak with Emmett if you are interested (it is not listed on their website). However, you can also get Donald Kaufman Color Collection (which is based in either BMoore paint or Pratt&Lambert, forget which), which is readily available.

I's advise investing in some of his paint cards though, to help you decide which whites work best in your own home.

Over the years I have used:

BM Cloud White (best I've found where there is no natural light)
MSL White Picket Fence (ceilings & west facing)
Behr's Ultra White (loved this on old panelling in a very bright south facing room but could be cold at night)

ralph lauren picket fence white is my go-to-white...a restful white that works beautifully in summer and winter light in the southeast.

Hello! Where are the Farrow & Ball fans! The best paints on the market. Highly pigmented, clay based with no oder and a 0 VOC reading in their Estate Emulsion..a beautiful matte chalky finish. Favourites are Pointing and their newest Wimborne White. Slipper satin is amazing as well...slightly greyed, as is strong White.

I just used C2's low voc in Architectural White (matte w/ trim in satin), and I am really pleased. I am pretty useless with color, but this looks very pure to me. I like it.

This is a useful post. I'm thinking of repainting my now-fuschia, somewhat cavelike guest room white, and was wondering just what shade of white.

I believe Donald Kaufman paint is full-spectrum (remains true to color in all lights) and proprietary. It has a complex mix of tints, more than the standard 4 that most commercial brands use (ie. ben moore, dunn edwards, etc). Generally all paint colors will change depending on light throughout the day, full spectrum (tints) in theory is to keep the color as consistent as possible regardless of what light hits it.

Your local paint store can make a similar looking DK color with a BM (or other brand) base...but it would only be using the 4 tint machine, so you still won't get the exact color (or complexity). Also DK paint is double the price of standard paint in some cases. Also sydney harbor paints (out of AU) makes gorgeous colors....though not a large selection of whites, also somewhat higher priced, but very luscious paint. I'm not dissuading anyone from using DK paint (because it does offer great products), just being clear about cost and the reason behind it.

I've used Benjamin Moore's snowfall white for trim in my prewar apartment. A bright white that soft, not stark. Love the color.