Which white is right?

Warm Whites | Cool Whites | Which White?

The predominance of white in interiors can be used to enhance a feeling of airiness, space and light. All desirable elements in contemporary spaces.

Although we have a myriad of colours to choose from, white paint remains the largest seller for the paint companies. Why is this so? 

Sir Terrance Conrad and Sibella Court would suggest its because people are hesitant and fearful of using colour in their homes. From my experience of building, renovating and colour consulting, it’s because it provides a fabulous backdrop to all those other wonderful surfaces in a space, where you can introduce texture and colour. So then how do you choose your backdrop...

Light, the influence of natural light and lighting weighs heavily on colour. Throughout the day, as light changes, colours can seem to have a personality of their own, changing the colour they reflect, depending on the pigments within them and the light that falls around them. So shortlist and always test colours in different parts of your space. Revisit them throughout the day and watch for changes and note how they look and feel. The more tint within the paint, the more possibility of a ‘personality trait’ you may not like. Always, always test before you commit. Sample a few shades of white in your space before you invest.

So to the shortlist - Cool or Warm, which suits your space the best?

Consider both warm and cool whites before you narrow down your search. Bring colour swatches home from your local Hardware to begin with and see how they sit with other elements in your space. (flooring, benches etc) Ask yourself what’s the look and feel you desire?

Cool whites are usually associated with modernism and a minimalist décor. They can often add a freshness to a space, they can make a space feel larger and work well in areas that have a large amount of natural light. However, they can also be stark and rather than living in a relaxed space can evoke feelings of the sanitised doctor’s surgery or hospital halls. Cool whites often have tints within them that carry grey or blue undertones. I’ve successfully used Dulux White on white (blue undertone) and Lexicon quarter (grey undertone) popular with decorators over the past 10 years, . The former being a favourite but definitely needs testing as it has a personality of its own. From the Taubmans range Miss Universe and Cotton ball are certainly worth a look.

Warm Whites are said to work better in areas where natural light is not so prevalent. They often add a warmth to a space. Creating a relaxed, organic vibe. They have undertones of ochre, yellows, pinks. They can be a little overwhelming, a bit too buttery, or very beige so a half or quarter strength is worth considering. Dulux Natural white provides a subtle warmth to a space and is a favourite with decorators. I’ve used Antique White USA 1/2 in a large home where a desire to introduce a warmth and cosiness was achieved. Just because it’s been around a while don’t discount it. Snow Mountains 1/2 was a chosen favourite for a recent project. Taubmans Cotton Sheets was used by our painter recently for our beachside abode and it’s my new favourite. Akimbo is on the shortlist to breathe life and light into a current inner city Brisbane Townhouse project. Trailing it on the walls soon.

Image - Full strength colour against quarter strength with white at top to show significance in colour range

A TOP TIP………

If you’ve chosen a paint from a particular paint company and you’ve got your heart set on it, never ever get that version mixed into an alternative paint company’s product. If it’s Taubmans - Cotton sheets you like and you painter comes along and says they only use Resene or Dulux then either change painters or find a Resene or Dulux colour that works just as well. When a paint company produces their version of another company’s colour it is never quite the same, can vary significantly, leads to disappointment and makes getting touch up paint down the track tricky. Ask your painter what is their preferred paint company/product before choosing your colours to avoid being caught out with this problem, people face all to often.

Time for you to have some fun, although I’ve mentioned a few whites by name, they are by no means the only ones to consider, there are a number more on my list, so get testing and find out which white is right for your space and the look and feel you want to create.

Love the space you are in!

Colour Trends for 2023

Should you worry about trends?

Trends come and go and each year various paint companies and interior designers predict a set of colours which they expect will dominate and set the tone for our everyday lives. Gone are the cool whites, warm neutrals are back, as are some warmer more vibrant tones, which can be splashed about or used in soft furnishings, as accents to add colour to a blank canvas.

Raw organic materials which bring non intrusive, neutral tones to a space are still in the mix, providing an atmosphere of comfort and security. These now include some darker earth based hues such as cinnamon, sienna and raw umber.

Soft pastel blues and greens from the oceans and bushland that surround us with an under tone of greys are finding their way into the colours of the season. These are designed to provide a calm and soothing atmosphere and connection to nature.

For those looking to inject substantial colour to their space, oranges, lilacs, teals, greens and warm yellows are making a return. These can provide a joyful collision of colour, uplifting a space and allowing for creative expression.

So should you worry about trends? It truly comes down to personal preference when choosing the right colours for you. If green doesn’t bring you joy then don’t include it in your mix. If you don’t feel brave enough to paint the walls and splash some colour around or you are renting but love the colours of the season inject them with soft furnishings which can easily be replaced. There is nothing quite like a few new cushions and a throw to renew a space.

Personally, it always works for me, if I choose a neutral for my walls and add my colour with artwork and selected furniture pieces, cushions, rugs and throws.

Love the space you are in!