Which white is right?

8 years ago

Hi. We're about to have our hall, landing and stairs repainted after many years, and whilst I love the softness and warmth of the nutmeg white we had before, I want a change. I decided to go brilliant white, then lost my nerve as I thought it might be too 'stark'. My painter doesn't like F and B for some reason, so it looks like it'll be Dulux. Does anyone know the overall look that rock salt, white cotton and timeless convey? I want something which just takes the edge off white but isn't blue, yellow or pink in character,

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kikiamack

8 years ago

I would say Cotton White has a very slight blue grey undertone compared to brilliant white. The photo shows the following colours, left to right: Nutmeg White (beige/stone), Timeless (creamy undertone), White Mist (ever so slightly off white on the grey spectrum) and Rock Salt (white, but not bright). Unless they were side by side I don’t think youd notice the difference between White Mist and Rock Salt. I would also consider Johnstons white trade paint, which will save you a lot of money and is just white. Hope that helps.

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Comments (11)

Jonathan
8 years ago
I am all for keeping trades happy- can you not get him to mix your Farrow and Ball shade in a trade paint he likes?
If you go for Farrow and Ball I like All White
gillmack
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you, that's a very good idea and I'll try it. Could you just tell me; is All White an 'off white'? And what do you think of Strong White? Many thanks.
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Jonathan
8 years ago
All white is a soft white and is a little whiter than Strong white which has more grey in it.
gillmack
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you both, that's very helpful. I'd like to see the photo you sent, but it doesn't seem to have appeared. Never mind. I'll ask my painter about Johnston's paint though.
Danielle H
8 years ago
I had this very problem when choosing a white/grey for my new place. So many have a blue/pink/beige undertone. The two best I found were Dulux 'Rock Salt' and 'White Mist'. I ended up going for white mist as it was slightly warmer than rock salt. Also I have only needed one coat as I had a decent white undercoat.
Danielle H
8 years ago
This is white mist in my hallway on the left and then in my bedroom on the right. Look to the top of the right photo to see where I hadn’t finished cutting in to see how it compares to the white undercoat. It is very subtle but it doesn’t feel stark.
gillmack thanked Danielle H
Juliet Docherty
8 years ago
Wimborne White has a tinge of warmth so looks less cold and stark than some whites. Timeless can be yellowish in a South facing room but can appear neutral and cooler in a North facing room.
gillmack thanked Juliet Docherty
gillmack
Original Author
8 years ago
i can't believe how much time and effort I'm putting into choosing 'the perfect white'... I actually have white mist in my kitchen/diner and love it, but I have a mad hangup about not using the same colour twice, and consequently end up reinventing the wheel every time we decorate. I can see all the photos now, and it really helps to visualise the colours. Timeless is definitely out, but I'm going to have a look at Wimborne white on the colour card, and then maybe find a coin to toss regarding rock salt, white mist and white cotton! Ugh!
Danielle H
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I prefer to use the same colour throughout, my flat is quite small so it gives a sense of flow. Also it looks different in each room depending on the time of day and the furniture. If you know you already love it I would save yourself time and money (and possibly your sanity!) and stick with white mist!
gillmack thanked Danielle H
gillmack
Original Author
8 years ago
Very true. My only other reservation is that my kitchen is generally open and light, with a mellow wooden floor and pinky cabinets which 'warm up' the white mist, whilst the hallway can be dark and rather gloomy, particularly on the middle landing when all the bedroom doors are closed. I do think I'm possibly over thinking this problem, but then I know I'll be very upset if I get it wrong. Thanks very much for your help everyone. I WILL make a decision very soon.

Which white is right?

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