Seattle Magazine: The Right Shade of White for Every Room
Robin Daly of Fremont-based Daly’s Paint & Decorating talks with us about how the right shade of white can emphasize natural light, neutralize green shades from the outdoors, and make any Seattle room feel sunny year-round.
If you are near the water...
With the blue light reflected off the water, you can either accentuate or neutralize it by playing with complementary colors. “Typically, I caution people from going to steely gray, because it can look flat,” Daly says. “Instead, get something with nuance to it, like a white or neutral. When you are near [or above the water, like in a high-rise] the color of the light can be very, very blue—so warmer undertones help balance that out.”
SWATCH THIS: Farrow & Ball “Wimborne White,” No. 239, is a great off-white that will still read as a true white to act as a complementary neutral.
If you are surrounded by trees...
The light that filters through trees is tinged with green. Instead of painting your walls a stark or pale white, choose creams with orange undertones to neutralize the green in the light streaming in from outside. “You want full-spectrum, luminous color; these are the key words for white paint,” Daly says. “Choose white or a neutral like beige or gray that has pigment to it; never choose a white with any black in it, which will make everything appear flat and gray—not luminous.”
SWATCH THIS: C2 Paint’s “Vellum,” No. C2-868 has a slightly orange undertone to balance out leafy greens.
If you want your room to feel brighter...
To make a room feel sunny 365 days a year, Daly recommends a shade of white which “has a kiss of yellow to it.”
SWATCH THIS: C2 Paint in “Lumen” C2-948.
If you want a sophisticated neutral—but not white...
“Colors are definitely lightening up,” says Daly. “Choose grays and beiges [as alternatives to traditional white] to create beautiful backdrops for any room.”
SWATCH THIS: Farrow & Ball “Old White,” No. 4. Don’t let the name fool you; this gray/beige shade is the perfect paint for any neutral palette.
BY: BRIGITTE LONG | FROM THE PRINT EDITION | OCTOBER 2016