CONSIDER EXPOSURE
Keep in mind that the quality of light in your room can change the appearance of the white you choose. “For example, a north-facing room will look more blue, so to balance that you should choose a white with yellow or peachy undertones—otherwise the white can look dull or gray,” says Eshun. South-facing rooms will receive a more golden light, which can turn white yellow. If you don’t want that effect, pick a more neutral or cool-toned white. And consider the views from the windows. “I recently did a white room and kept wondering why the walls looked green instead of white,” says Mende. “Then I realized it was because the room had huge windows and all the green trees and grass outside were reflecting onto the walls. We ended up changing FOR A FRESH the paint color.”
KEEP IN MIND THAT THE QUALITY OF LIGHT IN YOUR ROOM CAN CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF THE WHITE YOU CHOOSE.
BACKDROP, TRY BENJAMIN MOORE’S COLOR OF THE YEAR: SIMPLY WHITE.
LAYER ON INTEREST
“A plain white room can be very boring,” says Khachi. “To make it inviting, you need to add textural variety. Just remember, that everything stands out in a white space—just like in an art gallery—so you have to choose each element very carefully.” Start with the floor, says Mende, choosing a natural material like wood or stone. Dark finishes and materials will create a more formal high-contrast effect; medium or light finishes and materials will look more organic and relaxed. Next, pick a rug with rich texture, like a deep shag, or a nubby woven style. “For upholstery, go with soft, delicious fabrics like herringbone chenille or leather,” she says. “Choose a range of finishes, like eggshell on the walls and satin on the baseboards, or a glossy lacquer on certain furniture pieces,” says Khachi. And don’t forget elements from nature, he advises: Plants, flowers, and driftwood add texture and liveliness to a white room. As you make your choices, remember that white shows dirt easily, so fabrics and materials should be durable and easy to clean. This is especially important in hard-working spaces like kitchens and bathrooms. “I wouldn’t do a white kitchen or bath without using Cambria,” says Khachi. “Not only is it classic in design and low maintenance as a countertop, it’s really great as a shower surround, with minimal grout lines. Choose the right materials and white won’t mean more work—just clean good looks.”
WHITEHALLTM
Desert CollectionTM © Cambria 2016
PICKING THE RIGHT WHITE To determine the undertone of the shade you’re considering, hold your sample or swatch against a piece of plain white printer paper. You’ll immediately be able to see whether it’s blue, green, gray, yellow, peach, pink, or brown in comparison to the paper. Before you buy paint for an entire room, brush two-foot-square test patches of several different whites on each wall, then watch how the color changes throughout the day. Need inspiration? Try one of Benjamin Moore’s white paints at right, selected by designer Ramsin Khachi. For more design tips from Ramsin Khachi on working with white, go to CambriaUSA.com/designtips
SWISS COFFEE OC45
Pair with Cambria’s New Brighton™ Swiss Coffee has a creamy gray undertone with hints of both yellow and green. It’s a very soothing white.
PALE OAK
CALM
OC20
OC22
Pair with Cambria’s Hampshire™
Pair with Cambria’s New Quay ™
Pale Oak has even more pigment than Swiss Coffee. It’s almost a light gray. That tones a room down so it’s more comfortable.
Calm is a few shades cooler than Pale Oak, and yet it still has a nice warmth to it.
WHITE OPULENCE OC69
Pair with Cambria’s Summerhill ™ White Opulence is a crisper white. It has a slight pink undertone, but it’s still very clean.
C A M B R I A U S A . C O M / S T Y L E
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