Choosing the Right White Paint for the Project

Choosing the right white paint color for your project can be challenging, overwhelming, and unfortunately in the end if done wrong very underwhelming.

The feel of the room and the architecture of the space help to determine where to start.

I often see people who paint a room white that has white blinds, white windows, white ceilings and they expect it to look like the images they see on Instagram. Unless you know how to layer the space, choose the right white, or have black windows, wood beams, wallpaper on a wall or ceiling your space can end up feeling sterile, cold and just blah.

I recently did a monotone white master bedroom project and we really wanted to incorporate a white pallet. The room didn’t have beams or black windows, so we had to experiment with tonal textures and add a weighted rug with heavier colors, warm woods, leathers and black hardware to help create a cozy feeling mimicking black windows. We used simple $35 curtain rods to create architectural elements to the room using them for art work as well as function. Carrying the black into the light fixtures helped connect the space.

Hanging a natural colored wooden mirror helps the black metal and the white walls feel welcoming as opposed to cold or too sterile. The mirror also helps to balance the tan carpet already in the space. The leather bench helps to anchor the space pulling on the color of the nightstands wooden legs and balances all the white in the space and adding a little heaviness to the space.

Her nightstand (above) His nightstand (below)

These amazing nightstands were only $134 dollars. We had to put them together but it was relatively simple and well worth it. The glass tops add yet another element of interest. Wooden nightstands would have made the room feel to heavy and not as ethereal or romantic.

Another way to make a space feel comfortable, custom, and cozy is with family photos. We all spend so much money on these and then maybe frame one or two, blow a big one up on canvas or just post them and never turn them into anything. Floor to ceiling picture walls have always been my thing. What better way to fall asleep then remembering some of the most special moments in time.

The off white velvet curtains on top of the Alabaster Sherman Williams paint make the white walls feel layered and give a subtle romantic flare to the space.

We didn’t have the budget to replace the carpet but layering a rug on top helped to create the illusion of wood and make the space feel special. We brought in more natural wood and design flair in a Wayfair dresser and while TV’s are not a designers best friend, I always want to create a space that functions for a client. The dresser serves two purposes.

The goal for these young parents of two was to create an oasis from the chaos of daily life, a place to relax at night and snuggle in bed with the whole family on Saturday mornings.

We included easy decorative games on each nightstand for the kids to play with while mom and dad a trying to drink a warm cup of coffee and watch the morning news.

We were able to create a warm, cozy, white atmosphere and give the clients everything they wanted and needed for just over $5,000.