the modern minimalist's white paint recs
When it comes to our homes, paint can work like magic. It can completely change the look and feel of a space, it can make it feel larger, smaller, invigorating, calmer, eclectic or classic. Because the paint we choose in our spaces covers so much space and has such a big impact, choosing the right color that compliments our belongings, lighting, fixtures, floors and more, it can feel like an overwhelming task pick the correct one, this is especially true when picking a white paint. The differences between white paints can be so subtle, and so difficult to see properly when underneath the fluorescent lights of a home improvement store. To help dissuade the panic purchasing when it feels too difficult to make a choice, I decided to compile my favorite white paint colors + brands to live on the blog. When it comes to white paint I like whites that are pure or on the creamy side for that vintage, cozy feel, and below are my all time favs.
CLARE PAINT
The love of Clare paint around tmm is no secret. A woman/black owned + interior designer curated company that has the most aesthetically pleasing colors. They are incredibly high quality and also are Zero VOC, which means they’re free of toxic, carbon-based solvents. Clare also makes it easy to test out a color by selling peel and stick paint swatches for $3, so you can see what the paint will look like in your space without actually having to break the paint open. Our fav white paints from Clare are whipped and timeless.
backdrop
Similarly to Clare paint, Backdrop is also a heavily designed and curated brand featuring good neutrals in addition to a lot of fun colors. They are a Climate Neutral Certified paint brand that is Green Wise certified, low-VOC, and low odor. Their packaging is compostable Green Cell Foam and the metal paint can is recyclable stainless steel. Our fav white paints from Backdrop are Supermoon + Harvest moon.
sherwin williams
SW is one of the most widely recognized brands in the paint industry, they are everywhere and widely accessible. They make high quality paint and have tons of color options. While not as curated as companies like Clare or Backdrop, they offer classic paints at good prices. Pure white + Alabaster are my SW favs and go to classic cool and warm options.
benjamin moore
I LOVE BM. Their customer service is unmatched. They offer an insanely wide variety of colors in high quality finishes and are pretty widely accessible, the only issue for me is having to make a trip down to the showroom in Portland, but its worth it. Snowfall white, Cloud white, Simply white, Super white are four options that I find myself coming back to time and time again, and when stacked up against each other really show how the subtlest of differences in white paint can make the most difference, and really highlight the different undertones in each.
farrow + ball
All white
I know a lot of designers rave about F+B’s pigments being unmatched. I’m personally not into a lot of their options, but this one is great, it’s got just the right combo of cool and creamy. F+B has showrooms in California, Connecticut, Maryland, Illinois, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Texas. They don’t have a show room in Portland which is a bummer, but they have online swatch and sample and color fan ordering options and also offer color consulting.
