When I chose a white trim paint color for my Mom’s bathroom, I was under immediate pressure and admit: I found a teensy chip, “Alabaster White,” that looked “good” in the Sherwin-Williams midcentury paint colors brochure that I had sitting in the kitchen. The color turned out okay — fine for a ceiling actually — but it was to brite for the trim where sunlight hit fully. I am not a fan of brite whites inside the house, they hurt my eyes. So this made me think: Readers, what are your favorite whites for interior walls and trim in your mid century or vintage-inspired homes? Choosing whites can be sooooo anxiety-producing.
Two photos above: Dave and Kristin used Ralph Lauren Oatmeal for their lovely Louisville living room. They even admit, they had to try about 15 colors. I tweaked the exposures, etc., on these photos for the blog when I posted them initially. You’re always gonna have to put up a sample in your house. But: I think I would like Ralph Lauren Oatmeal and would definitely give it a try. Plus, I really trust Dave and Kristin — those two have the eye.
Sheri says
What sheen did they use in 1962? I’m stuck! I have four kids and my husband (ok, 5) that like to touch the walls.
pam kueber says
I don’t know. Today… flat or maybe eggshell (?) for walls.
Lincoln's Mom says
Hi everyone! Currently working on remodeling our ranch that is stuck in the 80’s in a really bad way. Want a great “neutral” for the LR and hall (same color) that is not any shade of white or cream. Seafoam green, pale yellow, robin’s egg blue already in use in other rooms in the house. Was thinking maybe a pale gray? Suggestions anyone? I lean HEAVY towards mid-century modern taste but also love some antiques and coziness mixed in! I use a alot of red accent wise and thought this would look great with gray! Weigh in! Thanks!
Erin says
Your comment is from 2011, but I just discovered this post…so…barring that you haven’t already painted…I think that an olive green would be fantastic with the whole mix of colors. Think a yellow/green olive tone. Or possibly an ochre?
Dave says
Fred, I really like your advice. The tones in our living room really do share a common “feel” if you will. Nothing exudes a blue or yellow or pink cast. I see HGTV shows where they put together a color palate with paint, fabric, curtain material, etc. We actually started with a paint color we liked and picked fabrics and accesories that worked with our paint. Looking at the paint in natural sunlight and incandecent evening light was critical in our paint choice. Thanks to Pam for shedding “light” on the white paint mystery. I am going to check out “swiss coffee” tomorrow !
Fred Gonsowski says
SORRY DAVE for calling you Dan, and getting my comment to you in the wrong spot
Fred Gonsowski says
Pure Artic White looks Clean, but is rather antiseptic, and shadows kind of a gray color.
Dave and Kristin’s place has sculptural details on the walls that are highlighted by the Cream White. The white, they chose, looks to be a lighter version of the Background Color used on the chair with foot rest.
My advice for picking a WHITE, is to pick a “white” which is the LIGHTEST version of ANY ONE of the fabric colors in the room you are decorating.
Fred Gonsowski says
Hi Dan,
In the room with the fireplace mantle in dove white..How about mustard-yellow drapes (walls color in picture over fireplace) and a red valance hung over them. Work the red and mustard-yellow from the picture around the room as accents.
In the bedroom, with the yellow walls, paint the dresser, mirror, and night stand a gloss black. How about a black and white (wide) striped fabric swagged over the window.
In the bedroom with the teal wall. Paint all of the woodwork in the room a GRAY pulled from the bedding. Paint the top of the room, over the bed, where the vent is, the same light gray as the woodwork, It will take some visual weight away from that area ,and it will work gray from the bed, up onto the walls. Buy some TALL lemon yellow ceramic lamps, to pull the color from the bedding. Put them on the end tables. Somehow introduce more lemon yellow around the room as an accent color.
Jeanne says
Hi Fred. Thanks for the tips. I am planning on getting or making some red and gold/yellow pillows for my sectional. I eventually would like to have some pinch pleat drapes for the windows on either side of the fireplace….a soft gold sounds nice.
pam kueber says
Thanks for the photos, Jane aka MulchMaid. I REALLY like the look of the BM Pale Sisal – I am a fan of ecru’s. Regarding your window moldings, we have the same design — they are wonderful. Somewhere on this blog, I think I have a post about them as a resource. A WONDERFUL TOUCH.
Jane / MulchMaid says
Re the moldings: Yes, so much less to dust, and a serene, unfussy look. Glad you’re a fan, too!
Jane / MulchMaid says
For my 1932 English rental, I used Miller (regional paint company) Navaho White on the main rooms, with a bright white for the trayed ceiling and the narrow space above the picture rail. It has a beautiful, warm, vintage look and is really flattering to a lot of other wall colors, too. I can see that some might think it was like 50 years of smoking, but I love it and also think it’s pretty authentic. Navaho White was extremely popular 30-40 years ago and is probably available in every paint line by the same or a different name.
Sara in WA says
I too used the Miller Navajo white in the bathroom of a rental that we eventually sold. Looked just perfect with the reglazed tub and new white vanity. A nice soft white. If you’re in the NW – Love Miller paint, and they know everything you ever wanted to know about paint.
pam kueber says
I painted the walls of the first house I ever bought, in 1985 or so, Navajo. White trim. I loved it, and think it should be making a major comeback. When I was at moms, we painted her 2nd bathroom Sherwin Williams Muslin. White trim. A lighter version of Navaho. Very lovely. Went well with the muslin-ish Snoopy shower curtain.
Tommy says
Nice Hopper, Jeanne.
Jeanne says
Thank you, Tommy. My sister thinks Hopper is too depressing, but I like the colors and the mood. 🙂
pam kueber says
I’m also capturing for the record: New White by Farrow & Ball. I have a magazine clipping (Cottage Living) where it is spotlighted as a warm white that gives a buttery glow. I think this one is spendy, tho.
susan says
Just be careful that the color doesn’t end up looking like old nicotine stain from the 1950s. my girlfriend painted her whole house a warm off-white-beige-with-a-hint-of-chocolate shade. It looked to me like nothing had been painted for 50 years because everyone was busy smoking with all of the windows and doors shut. I told her it looked real nice…well,it was the whole house that took weeks to paint!
Gavin Hastings says
Agreed.
That is why I stay away from anything with a hint of yellow. Whether the white is tinted with pink, green, gray or blue- I like it to look CLEAN.
Jason Durand says
Lol Alabaster White is the colour of my Valiant I use white on the ceilings with just a small tint of pink. I find it takes the harshness out of the ceiling paints. For trimmings and most doors I use a water based gloss easier to paint with and they have come along way with this type of paint, especially after the oil based gloss I used in my old house turned yellow. For none white doors such as large wardrobe doors I still use oil gloss but not in white same with kitchen cabinets.
pam kueber says
Thanks, Jason — I really liked the Sherwin Williams Alabaster on the ceilings. But on the wall trim it was too brite for my eyes.