I’ve been doing a lot of paint selection with my design clients these days and wanted to share a great article I came across a while ago about selecting good whites for your home whether it be for walls or trim.  This was on the Elle Decor website and for those of you that are freshing up a home might find it helpful.

Picking the perfect white advice from top designers.

Who: Eric Cohler
What: China White, RMI-74, Benajmin Moore
Why: “It seldom fails me, no matter where in the country I use it. It doesn’t break green or pink, even in strange San Francisco light. When held up against pure white it has an off-white or greige appearance, but on its own, it holds up as true white—but with a little more body. And make sure you get it in low-VOC or no-VOC.”

Who: Brad Ford
What: All White, No. 2005, Farrow & Ball
Why: “It’s like a good friend. Easy to be around, dependable, and it makes you and all the things around you look terrific. It stays consistent in any light, but in the afternoon, it can really make a room feel like it’s glowing. And while it works for any room, it’s especially nice for a space with great artwork.”

Who: Elizabeth Martin
What: Cotton, C2-320 W, C2 Paint
Why: “White is not a shy color—it makes everything placed in its path come forward. And “Cotton” by C2 is the softest of whites, with a touch of yellow as its undertone. It’s the perfect backdrop to enhance wood and I especially love it in bedrooms: It makes skin sparkle.”

Who: Elaine Griffin
What: Honeymilk, 7003-4, Valspar 
Why: “Getting white paint right can be a daunting proposition. Your best bet is a kinder, warmer white that has just a hint of gray or beige in it. Honeymilk is a soft white that’s great for walls. I’ve used it in a gazillion rooms and have never been disappointed.”

Who: Alessandra Branca
What: Lily of the Vally, 905, Benjamin Moore
Why: “I found this color more than 20 years ago when I wanted a really great, warm white for trim, and it has been my standby ever since. It works well in rooms that get a lot of light and also in those that need it. I especially love this color for kitchens because it is warmer than your typical kitchen white.”

Who: Katie Ridder
What: Paper White, OC-55, Benjamin Moore (shown in photo at left)
Why: “I use it in kitchens and bathrooms because it melds the grays of Carrara marble and the stark white of sinks and toilets.”

Who: Kara Mann
What: Great White, No. 2006 Farrow & Ball
Why: “It’s a white with character, and it’s anything but sterile. Great White works best in natural light, particularly in the morning when fresh, warm tones peek in. Throughout the day, it changes color ever so slightly—from white to not-quite-gray; a great backdrop for calming neutrals or dynamic jewel-tone fabrics.

Who: Jeff Andrews
What: Decorator’s White, CC-20, Benjamin Moore
Why: “I love this white for ceilings and woodwork, or in any room where I want a bright, clean white. It works well in all applications and with every kind of light source. Some whites can be cold and slightly blue, while others can have a creamy, yellow tone, but Decorator’s White is a true white that is both warm and modern. It’s been my go-to paint for years.”

Who: Anne Maxwell Foster & Suysel dePedro Cunningham, Tilton Fenwick
What: Pointing, No. 2003, Farrow & Ball
Why: “It is the perfect ivory for almost every setting—not too bright and not too creamy. We’re all about striking that balance. It’s proven itself in both a sun-drenched farmhouse living room and a one-windowed New York City bedroom. It always provides a clean backdrop for showcasing colorful artwork or furniture.”

Who: Frank Roop
What: White Wisp, OC-054, Benjamin Moore
Why: “It’s a tinted white with a hint of gray-green, but it reads as bright white. I like to use it on the trim trim for cool-colored walls. I use quite a bit of wall coverings in hemp cloth and other natural materials. White Wisp as a trim makes many of these papers look crisp.”

Who: Darryl Carter
What: Huntington White, DC-02, Benjamin Moore , to launch in October
Why: “I discovered my favorite, Huntington White, through much trial and error while working on my line of paint for Benjamin Moore—debuting this October. It’s pleasingly chameleon-like. It saturates and radiates consistently, where many whites are inconsistent and change appearance during different times of day. It’s a very warm white, which I like to use in modern settings.”

Apartment Therapy also has a good article as well…