Our certified color consultants are available for all of our paint clients to help with the color selection process. Choosing paint colors can be a stressful affair, but working with a paint color professional can simplify the process and guide you to colors you will love. We currently have two consultants that you may work with, and although we pride ourselves on being flexible enough to meet any clients needs each designer certainly has a specific style.
Meet Lexi Thompson – Fresh, Funky, and Inspired
Lexi is our most senior color consultant and has been in the painting industry for over six years. She has a passion for making the paint color selection process fun and working with clients to find colors that inspire them and transform their space. Lexi uses her years of experience and loves pulling inspiration from vintage designs, artwork, and current trends to find colors that will “wow”.
What’s Lexi’s Color Signature?
A designer’s go-to colors are ever changing and evolving and Lexi is no exception. With that being said, she is known for introducing pops of color that draw the eye in and create a focal point. Whether on a front door, with an accented trim color, or even using colors in nontraditional ways, like bringing color up onto the ceiling, she is always looking for a way to surprise her clients and engage the eye.
Lexi particularly enjoys working on larger, more complex projects like our Denver Victorians or playful homes such as those within the mid-century modern realm. She appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with her clients to find fresh new ways to highlight the unique features of these homes while honoring the history of these designs.
Some of Lexi’s Favorite Paint Projects
Dynamic Accent Walls
Working with a client who isn’t afraid of embracing colors is always a joy. As a color consultant, Lexi loves to seize these opportunities. This particular client had a very eclectic style and wanted to make sure of a dynamic set of accent walls. When it comes to coordinating several colors together Lexi finds it’s helpful to choose a theme for the space. In this case, Lexi and our paint client went with a slightly retro desert inspired color palette.
The different use of each paint color brings an interesting contrast to the space while infusing it with personality. Although making use of several different colors can feel overwhelming it’s also a great way to create a lot of visual interest and keep the eye moving throughout a space.
Playful Pops of Paint Colors
This exterior was a ton of fun because the client was looking to brighten up their dark exterior and was hoping to add some playful pops of color. In order to accomplish this, they chose to go with an allover neutral for both the body and trim.
The use of Whitetail SW 7103 helped create a canvas for the brighter colors to really pop against without feeling out of place. Making your trim and body color the same paint color is also a great way to remove the visual business of trim. So if your home has a lot of trim and you’re not a fan, then this can be a great solution.
The client had a very particular vision for the shutters and front door that was inspired by mid-century homes as well as coastal elements. After much deliberation they chose to go with Waterfall from Sherwin Williams and Frolic SW 6703 on the front door. The strategic use of these colors and their placement work with the home to bring visual interest without making things too busy. The clients loves it and we couldn’t be happier with the transformation.
Melding Traditional Elements with Interesting Contrast
Victorians can be intimidating for both clients and color consultants and this beautiful Denver home was no exception. This client was itching to bring some fun color back into the intricate details of the home after years of beige. When you’re going from a very simple scheme to a much more complex scheme, it can be difficult to visualize the final product so digital mockups were a must for this client.
Even with a relatively small painting area we landed on a total of SIX colors for this exterior. Lexi and the Kind Home paint client chose to create harmony by sticking to a single color family that would contrast the current brick color. The detailed pattern adds a ton of visual interest to the front of the home and helps to honor the historical beauty and integrity of these Denver homes.
Meet Yasmine Kot – Earthy, Classic, and Grounded
Yasmine is a bit newer to the painting world, but she uses her years of experience in marketing to create engaging spaces that work seamlessly with the vision held by each of her clients. Yasmine tends to favor classic color schemes that are harmonious with the Colorado landscape while also finding ways to incorporate current trends in a way that feels intentional and timeless.
What’s Yasmine’s Paint Color Signature?
With color trends changing frequently it’s important for designers to stay on top of things so they can bring valid and thoughtful input to each project. Yasmine is known for her use of earth tones and dark dramatics to create warm, balanced spaces that you want to sink into. She is inspired by nature and strives to bring life into spaces, often with an unexpected twist. Yasmine loves a dark dramatic trim color, rich accent walls, and subtle contrast that creates an elevated and elegant finished look.
Interior transformations are a favorite of hers along with clients who are looking for traditional and timeless exterior schemes. Painting your brick can feel intimidating but the transformation can be absolutely jaw dropping with the right color choices. She is always considering the fixed features within a space and uses those to guide her color selection in an effort to create a perfect harmony and balance.
Some of Yasmine’s Favorite Homes
Unique Uses of Paint Color
Every now and then you get the opportunity to work with a paint client who really wants to go for something new and unique. This Englewood painting client loved the idea of stepping away from the typical white trim and after talking through quite a few options they landed on Dark Knight SW 6237. By choosing a deep, rich slate blue they were able to create a complimentary color scheme with the existing floor color.
Alternatively, the client was also excited to get rid of the blue in the dining room in favor some more earthy and grounded. Yasmine pulled inspiration from popular 1970’s colors and went with Mossy Gold, a very unique greenish brown that brings a lot of warmth to the space.
Grounded Earth Tones
Sometimes the biggest transformations can come from the simplest changes. This client was eager to revamp her kitchen and was aiming for something earthy and on trend. Green cabinets have been a massive paint color trend for 2023 and Yasmine and the client found the perfect shade with Sage Light Green from Sherwin Williams.
This gray green works so well with the existing backsplash and the updated gold hardware, absolutely transforming the space into the kitchen of our client’s dreams. We couldn’t be happier with how this turned out and feel green will continue to gain popularity amongst clients.
Classic Contemporary Exteriors
Painting your stucco is a great way to keep your home looking refreshed and maintained. When Yasmine met with this client they were really hoping to land on a modern yet timeless color scheme for the exterior and loved the lighter grays. With that in mind they chose Mindful Gray, a warmer light gray from Sherwin Williams and paired it with Snowbound for a crisp, sharp contrast between the body and trim.
The front door is Downing Slate, which is a popular choice amongst clients and adds to the contemporary feel of the home. Getting rid of all the warm yellows and browns really helped this home feel more current and the clients couldn’t be happier!
Benefits of a Professional Color Consultation
Everyone interprets colors differently, which means there are no “perfect paint colors”; however, working with a certified color designer can help remove stress and provide guidance to find colors that will work for your home. To best prepare for your color consultation we recommend looking for inspiration on Pinterest or around your neighborhood to get ideas. Some things to consider are:
Do you like high or low contrast between body and trim colors?
How do you want your space or home to feel? Examples might include clean, open, dramatic, warm, inviting, etc.
Are your fixed features (things you won’t be changing within the space) overall cool or warm in undertone?
Are there any color families or colors you would like to avoid?
Even when working with a color consultant it’s important that you bring your opinion and vision for the space to the conversation. Ultimately, you are the one that has to live with the colors and everyone has different preferences when it comes to colors they like or dislike. That being said, your home, the surrounding areas, and fixed features must be taken into consideration. These can be limiting factors when choosing paint colors, so it’s best to go into your appointment with an open mind.
If you feel like Lexi or Yasmine could help you narrow down your colors and provide some professional guidance, you can schedule a Color Consultation HERE
Finding the perfect paint colors for the exterior of your home is hard, but it’s even harder when you’re part of an HOA. HOAs, or Homeowners Associations, are great because they help protect the value of homes within the neighborhood and help create a cohesive feeling throughout the community. That being said, they can also be a pain to work with. Here are tips straight from your Colorado paint pros about how to submit your exterior paint colors to your HOA for approval along with a selection of popular HOA color schemes curated for you by our professional color consultants.
Before You Submit Colors to Your HOA
There are a few things you need to know before you’re ready to submit any colors to your HOA.
1. Check for Pre-Approved Colors
If you’re lucky enough to be part of an HOA with a list of pre-approved color schemes, then yay! Pre-approved colors can greatly improve your chances of approval and some HOAs don’t even require approval for pre-approved schemes! While pre-approved colors can limit your options, it will make the selection process much easier.
2. Ask About Their Specific Approval Process
Every HOA is different, so you’ll want to contact your specific HOA directly for details about their color approval process and requirements. Some HOAs require a submission fee and paint chips or color links, while others may require you to paint samples on your garage so they can be viewed before approving. It’s best to accommodate these steps as much as possible and work within your HOA’s guidelines. Othersies, you may wind up with any issues.
Note that you will most likely not be able to use colors that are too similar to your neighbors. Many HOAs value variation between each home. If you submit colors that are the same or similar to the neighbors on either side of your home or across the street, they will likely be denied and a waste of time.
3. Plan Accordingly
Most HOAs review color scheme submissions at a meeting together before they approve or deny your any paint colors. That means that the frequency of which your HOA meets could have a big impact on your project timeline. Here in Colorado, HOAs typically have 14-60 days for approval. Highlands Ranch, HRCA, is one of the fastest turn around times for color approvals with homeowners typically receiving approval within 1-2 weeks.
If your HOA requires more than a couple of weeks to approve colors then you’ll want to make sure you plan your paint project accordingly. It’s vital to make sure you have enough time to select colors, submit them, and get approval before any paint is purchased. Otherwise, this can create delays on your project and be costly to change.
HOA Friendly Color Schemes from Color Consultants
Exterior Color Scheme #1
Created using Sherwin Williams Color Snap Visualizer
In this color scheme we have a classic gray body with just a touch of warmth. We find this color scheme to be warm and inviting. Shoji White on the trim brings a nice contrast without feeling too sharp, and a deep red door helps everything feel grounded and harmonious.
Green saw a huge surge in popularity last year with Evergreen Fog being a favorite amongst homeowners. We’ve paired it here with Alabaster, which is a beautiful, bright white. Dark Night adds a dark, but subtle accent.
Blue is one of the most commonly requested colors for the exterior of homes. It’s also the most common favorite color in the world, so that makes perfect sense! Slate Tile is a stunning blue-gray that really gives you that punch of blue without looking cartoonish. We’ve paired it here with the crisp Pure White and have Peppercorn as a warm, grounding accent color.
This scheme is perfect for those of you who have a craftsman style home and want a traditional color scheme that doesn’t feel dated. Craftsman Brown is a nice neutral and when paired with Roycroft Bronze Green it feels like a classic Colorado color combination. We’ve rounded it out with Roycroft Copper Red which would make for a fantastic front door color, but please DO NOT use it on shutters as this can result in a clown-like appearance.
Gray never goes out of style and Grey Matters is a wonderful, middle of the road option that isn’t too warm or cool. To make sure this scheme didn’t end up feeling too warm, we paired it with classics like Pure White on the trim and Tricorn Black as the accent.
Fun fact–Tricorn Black is the absolute darkest black paint color available from widely available paint retailers!
Getting HOA Approval
What makes these schemes HOA friendly is that they are all neutrals, or based on earth tones, which is a huge trend for covenant controlled neighborhoods here in Colorado. If you need more inspiration we recommend driving around your own neighborhood to view other homes. This will help you get ideas for what you’d like to see on your own home. For more color tips and tricks be sure to follow us on Pinterest and Instagram where we post weekly!
If you need any further assistance with selecting colors, you can easily schedule an appointment with one of our certified Color Designers HERE. And if you’d like more information, feel free to give us a call at (720) 637-4805.
There’s just something fun about using dark paint colors to create a moody and dramatic space. They’re versatile in the sense that you can use a little to create a focal point or a lot to create an overall effect. Either way, dark, theatrical colors are a huge paint color trend for 2023. Bathrooms happen to be a great way to try out this trend without overcommitting. Keep reading to learn about our top 5 bathroom paint colors to try for dark, moody bathrooms in 2023.
Urbane Bronze
Urbane Bronze is an incredible combination of black, gray, and brown. It’s beautiful on both exteriors and interiors and it’s a great way to ease into the dark paint color trend we’re seeing this year. It’s a very grounded color and pairs well with neutrals like tan or greige colors so it’s great for creating a sophisticated and tranquil space. For the largest impact, consider using Urbane Bronze on your bathroom walls, trim, and ceilings to create a cozy feeling that you’ll love spending time in.
Hale Navy HC-154
If you’re not quite ready to dive into the super dark paint colors, but you want to give this trend a try, check out Hale Navy. It’s a classic color from Benjamin Moore that has a huge fanbase. It’s a bit more modern than some traditional navy blues because it features a slightly gray undertone. The gray undertone really helps to ground the paint color. Hale Navy is beautiful on cabinets or walls and pairs really well with white trim for that crisp, clean contrast.
Greenblack 6994
For our bravest souls that love trying a new paint color trend we have Greenblack. This color is not subtle and is sure to bring that wow factor to your bathroom. The base is a cool black with a slightly green undertone and it works exceptionally well on walls and cabinetry. If it feels a little intense, consider doing just your cabinets or an accent wall to draw the eye and create a statement. When going with a black paint color, try to look for one that has some kind of undertone rather than a classic black because those undertones add a lot of personality and help the color feel much more dynamic within your space.
Dark Purple 2073-10
Some clients are really looking for a moody vibe that still feels romantic and inviting. Dark Purple from Benjamin Moore checks all of the boxes with a rich plum tone that brings a hint of mystery and glamour to any space. We love this for a bathroom because it’s not a color you see all of the time, so it will definitely stand out. This bathroom paint color pairs really well with white, black, or even tan countertops. So grab a sample and see if you feel like it works within your space.
Mount Etna 7625
Blue is the most commonly requested color our designers receive, so we had to include a couple blue options. Mount Etna from Sherwin Williams is sure to stun with it’s slate gray base and subtle green undertones. It’s a very interesting and universally appealing color. Try this as an allover color or create a statement piece by painting your bathroom cabinets in this dramatic and moody paint color.
Painter for a Day
Bathrooms are a great way to test this paint color trend out because they’re small and often closed off from other spaces. So they are great for a unique color scheme without creating a lack of harmony with the rest of the house. However, it can be difficult to find a professional interior painter to help tackle a project this small. Most companies prioritize larger projects where they can make more money.
Here at Kind Home Painting Co. we’re committed to helping as many homeowners as possible to create the home and space they’ve been dreaming of. Since we understand how difficult it can be to find a painter for smaller paint projects we created our Painter for a Day program. This program offers straightforward, flat-rate pricing and a one-year warranty on all small painting projects. You can also add on a professional color consultation with a color designer to help you land on the perfect deep paint color that provides the impact you’re looking for. Use this link to request a complimentary estimate and get your project started today!
Color selection for an exterior paint job can be intimidating, especially when there is an additional layer of appeasing your Homeowners Association. This doesn’t mean you can’t have the transformation of your dreams though! This article will cover five of our favorite Highlands Ranch color schemes, but feel free to use these for your own Homeowners Association as they are all HOA friendly.
If you find yourself struggling to nail down the perfect color scheme to submit to your HOA you can always reach out to our team of Color Designers for a Color Consultation! Our Certified Color Consultants are the best in the biz! They’ll help walk you through different color options, provide you with color samples, professional mockups and leave you feeling confident in your color decisions.
Option #1: Grizzle Gray, Snowbound & Gray Matters
Opting for a rich dark charcoal like Grizzle Gray paired with a crisp, cool white like Snowbound allows for a transformation that feels modern but timeless. The coolness in Grizzle Gray is balanced by the gray and green tones and overall create a hue that is both sophisticated and bold. Gray Matters is a mid-tone sitting between Grizzle and Snowbound to offer an accent that feels united and harmonious. If your fixed features are in the same family, for example a roof or stonework that has tinges of blue, Grizzle Gray, Snowbound, and Gray Matters will certainly feel cohesive and fresh with those elements.
Option #2: Sensible Hue, Roman Column & Cornwall Slate
Sensible Hue is a gorgeous warm green gray option that certainly feels along the lines of the trendy earth tones we are seeing forecasted for this year. For trim, opt for a white on the warmer end of the spectrum like Roman Column. To accent, Cornwall Slate brings a saturated version of a green-gray to the scheme and overall adds a sophisticated pop. Together these hues evoke an earthy and inviting atmosphere. A great option too if you are working around cooler toned roofing or brick features.
Option #3: Westhighland White, Loggia & Foothills
You can’t get more classic than a white house. Westhighland White is a gorgeous warm white that feels bright but also very welcoming. The yellow undertones in Westhighland White paired with a chocolate brown hue like Foothills on the trim lends for a timeless look. Seal the deal with Loggia as an accent and you have yourself a winning and lasting look to your home that will transcend trends. Extra points if you have stonework or brick on your home with warmer red notes, these colors will flow harmoniously.
Option #4: Colonnade Gray, Extra White & Pavestone
Another pair to consider if you are working with warmer fixed features is Colonnade Gray and Extra White. Colonnade Gray is a greige color having slight brown undertones. Pairing this color with a classic Extra White on the trim elevates the look of the scheme and balances those warmer tones with a crisp trim. As a final touch, use Pavestone to create a dark and dramatic accent amidst your lighter body and trim colors.
Option #5: Functional Gray, Drift of Mist & Mindful Gray
Functional Gray is a darker greige option giving more saturation and depth compared to Colonnade gray. For a slightly different trim option, Drift of Mist is a light gray option that still has warm undertones pairing gorgeously with Functional Gray. Drift of Mist will likely appear very close to white in most lighting situations. If you are also looking to go in a different direction with an accent, Mindful Gray feels in between Functional Gray and Drift of Mist for a subdued, neutral feature.
To Sum Up
Remember, thinking about neutral and grounding colors is key here. Observing those fixed features or elements of your exterior that will be staying put is very important in the color decision process. This will ensure that there is cohesiveness to your exterior. Driving around your neighborhood for inspiration can be helpful, keeping in mind that your HOA will typically deny colors that are too similar to the houses directly across the street from you or to the left and right of your home.
I hope you feel inspired and ready to transform your home! If you’d like a color consultation, or if you are ready to get pricing for you paint project, you can submit for an estimate HERE.
When it comes to painting, color may just be the toughest hurdle to overcome. As a professional Denver painter, we meet with our fair share of homeowners that struggle to find the right paint colors for their home. Looking back at popular paint color trends can often times be a good place to start.
This blog will hopefully offer some guidance as we reflect back on the most popular 2022 color trends. We’ll also make predictions for the 2023 paint season and give you an idea of where to begin on your own color journey. Let’s jump in!
White Paint Colors
Shoji White
Light Reflective Value (LRV): 74
Right off the bat, Sherwin Williams Shoji White has a lot going on. This particular color is a warmer white with yellow and a hint of red in its undertones. It has the potential to look beige, gray, and maybe even taupe in some conditions due to these undertones. In 2022, Shoji White was not the star of the show as whites go, but that is not to say that it’s a terrible color. Possibly better suited indoors, it can look a little washed out on the exterior of a home when paired with cooler features. For a similar warm white that reflects less sunlight outdoors consider Neutral Ground.
Snowbound
LRV: 83
Moving to the opposite end of the spectrum from Shoji White you will find Snowbound. This white has blue undertones galore. Many gravitate towards this color for the clean, sharpness it exudes. You often see this hue on both exterior and interior trim. This white is fairly universal, working with other cool colors extremely well and creating a sharp contrast when paired with a warm tone. Snowbound will continue to reign as the superior queen of cool whites in the new year. Other wonderful cool white options include Nebulous White and the tried and true, Pure White.
Interior painted in Snowbound
Greek Villa
LRV: 84
If you’re having a Goldilocks moment and are thinking to yourself, “Well Snowbound might just be too cool and Shoji is a little too warm…” Greek Villa may be your ‘just right’. It combines both blue and yellow undertones without compromising its brightness. This white seemed to top the charts for folks in 2022 achieving a best of both worlds appearance. We are sure to continue seeing this fresh, crisp color used on both exterior and interior projects.
Westhighland White
LRV: 86
The undertones in Westhighland White are soft, but yellow is certainly visible. This helps to steer away from a clinical feel and bring a coziness to the space. Similarly to Shoji, the creaminess in this color can make or break it for many people who are seeking out that clean-cut white. Other suggestions in this family that are more commonly chosen include Alabaster or Creamy as they offer that subtle warmth while still being bright.
Blue & Green Paint Colors
Gale Force
LRV: 6
Navy’s are an extremely popular choice when it comes to home exteriors and this particular shade of blue is a wonderful timeless option. Gale Force has a very low Light Reflective Value that may skew towards black in some light situations. However, I do not think that it’s ability to function well in many different situations is compromised by this detail. If this color family speaks to you, consider Naval or Outerspace for luxe, rich blues. These dark coastal navy’s, will continue to be high up on the list of popular exterior choices for 2023.
Evergreen Fog
LRV: 30
Evergreen Fog is a lovely mid-tone green hue and was our champion Color of the Year for 2022. It has also been incorporated into Sherwin’s 2023 Color Trends Palettes and I believe this shade is here to stay. Working beautifully into exterior and interior schemes, Evergreen Fog seems to tick all the boxes for those wanting to choose colors that are warm and earthy. This color works well to not overwhelm existing spaces with saturation, but also has enough oomph to create an accent easily and effortlessly. I am looking forward to seeing it continue to transform and beautify homes inside and out.
Denver exterior painted in Evergreen Fog
Other notable greens include Escape Gray and Pewter Green. Escape Gray offers a softer green hue than Evergreen Fog and incorporates gray into its undertones. On the other hand, if you want a more saturated green, consider Rookwood Dark Green to deliver more of a punch on your exterior or an interior accent wall.
Need help choosing paint colors? Click HERE to schedule a Color Consultation with one of our Certified Consultants today!
Gray Paint Colors
Peppercorn
LRV: 10
I can say for certain that when Peppercorn is mentioned to my fellow Color Consultants and me, we are quite excited! This hue is completely unique in that it combines blacks and browns like you would expect to see in the actual spice. There is an unusual depth and warmth to the color that is lost in other shades of black and dark gray. With that being said, this is absolutely going to be in the forecasts for 2023 projects. It functions well as both the main character and in a supporting role. It can be customized to work well over a wide span of design goals.
Dovetail
LRV: 26
Dovetail is a mid-tone greige with a good amount of warmth to it. The brown undertones here make it inviting and help to make this color applicable to many different projects. However, there are stronger contenders in the Sherwin Williams gray color sphere. These include Acier and Dorian Gray which are definite close relatives to Dovetail but less saturated making them a bit lighter on the eyes.
Exterior painted in Dovetail
Summit Gray
LRV: 30
Another mid-tone gray, Summit Gray, shows off more of a warm, purple undertone. It’s easy on the eyes and does not call too much attention to itself. That makes this color malleable to a variety of schemes and able to function both inside and outside well. Grays certainly top the list for exterior schemes as they feel modern and updated. Though warm tones are the big predictions for 2023, grays will absolutely make their way onto many homes this year. Other popular colors in this family are Tin Lizzie, Cityscape, and Grizzle Gray.
Repose Gray
LRV: 58
When talking about very light gray colors like Repose Gray, I find it to be even more crucial to view the color in many different lighting conditions. There have been clients in the past who have chosen a hue similar to this one only to be underwhelmed with its actual ‘grayness’. It other words, it appears closer to white. With Repose Gray’s high LRV, this can be expected that under intense light the tone reflects much more than anticipated and loses what little depth it had to begin with. Due to the unpredictable nature of colors like this, opt for grays with more saturation like Mindful Gray.
Beige Paint Colors
Kilim Beige
LRV: 57
Kilim Beige is often a great jumping off point when deciding on color in the beige family. This hue can be helpful in deciding whether you want to go lighter or darker with your scheme. It can also be the perfect mid-tone color for those wanting a warm tone without being so heavily brown. It feels modern, but also ages well. For a darker beige consider Antler Velvet. If Kilim Beige feels too dark to you, give Natural Linen a shot.
Exterior painted in Kilim Beige
Accessible Beige
LRV: 58
For a cool-toned beige, Accessible Beige is a solid option. Again, something to keep in mind is that this hue is very susceptible to appearing white or gray in intense light conditions due to its lightness. When I consider what people often look for in a beige, this is not the first color to come to mind. Accessible Beige is certainly light and airy, but to really make a contrast in most schemes, I would opt for a more saturated brown like Shiitake or Loggia.
I hope this 2022 recap is a helpful tool for your 2023 projects. As always, I encourage you to view your color choices with sample sheets or test quarts to consider under many different lighting conditions. This is the best way to make a comprehensive decision on what colors you love the most!
If you need help deciding on your colors, learn more about our comprehensive Color Consultations. And if you are in the market for a professional painter in the Denver area, give us a call at (720) 637-4805. You can also learn more about our paint services HERE. Thanks for reading!
When considering the wide array of whites that are offered by top paint companies, Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace OC-65 has topped many a list and blog. Controversial as it may be, I will be discussing the distinct attributes of this color and why it’s probably the last color you should be painting on your home. Don’t fret though! I will offer other suggestions with explanations as to why the hues will function much better for you than Chantilly Lace.
Chantilly Lace High Light Reflectance Value
To begin, Chantilly Lace is Benjamin Moore’s whitest white. Initially this sounds perfect for achieving that crisp, bright white that many search for. However, if we look at the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of this hue we learn that it sits at 90.04 out of 100. That is an extremely stark white and it reflects nearly all the light that hits it. In direct sunlight it is sure to be an eyesore, even blinding. If you were to paint the inside of your living room with Chantilly Lace it would even reflect the colors of your furniture. So if you happen to have a red couch, for example, the room would pick up those pink tones.
Chantilly Lace Undertones
Chantilly Lace’s high LRV is partly due to the fact that it lacks easily identifiable undertones. That makes it quite unpredictable and there is a higher probability for Chantilly Lace to be sterile and cold. Most people want the color they see on the swatch to appear as true as possible. With the nature of Chantilly Lace, it is quite impossible for that to happen. Don’t shy away from the idea of having touches of yellow, green, or blue in your white undertones. The undertones are key to getting to a white that is balanced and will read true to your unique environment.
Sherwin Williams Snowbound
Preferred White Paint Colors
Whites that fare much better in direct sunlight indoors or outdoors include cool-toned Snowbound and Eider White from Sherwin William’s. Similarly, Benjamin Moore offers Oxford White and Paper White for similar blue-based whites.
The blue undertones in the white will help to achieve that fresh white color with a modern feel. If you want to opt for a timeless warm toned white, Sherwin Williams’ Dover White and Creamywill be better suited for the project. For Benjamin Moore, consider Mountain Peak White and Dove Wing. The addition of a bit of yellow goes a long way to make a home feel inviting and warm instead of clinical when it comes to the perfect hue of white.
Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak
Your Home Environment
Taking into account the current hue of your home will drastically change the amount of time you invest into your paint project. If your paint colors currently have pigment to them or are on the darker side, you will have to invest much more labor and much more paint to achieve full coverage with a color like Chantilly Lace. To make painting effortless, opt for a hue that has an undertone that can stand up to what’s on your home now. If your project is starting with a warm tone color, use Sherwin Williams’ Ice Cube orBenjamin Moore’sVanilla Milkshake to assist in the transition. On the other hand if your project is beginning with a cooler tone, you can combat this by choosing whites like Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight White,Cloud White, or Sherwin’s Alabaster.
Conclusion
To recap, Chantilly Lace’s LRV, unrecognizable undertones, and light coverage makes it a very difficult color to work with. The environment drastically changes the look and feel of any color. That’s why it is imperative to take into account the direction your surfaces face, the amount of natural versus artificial light, and the fixed features or furniture and decor that will be in the space. Especially with whites, having a true paint sample to consider under all lighting conditions is the only way to make a well thought-out decision.
I hope this has given you a new perspective on a “favorite” white and insight on your color journey! For more color inspiration, visit our Instagram or learn more on colors HERE.
If you’d like to schedule a Denver interior or Denver exterior painting estimate you can do so HERE.
