Warm neutrals are taking the design world by storm. Whites have warmed up, cream has replaced grey as the go to neutral and we’re back in love with beige, peachy undertones and all. I can’t say that I’m disappointed to see interiors warming up. Unlike the late 1990’s and early 2000’s when cream and beige last had its moment, this time round we’re pairing warm neutrals with fresher colours, creating rooms that have a more modern feel.
Although my entire design philosophy is based around authentic and personalized decor, I do have a few favourite neutral paint colours that have become my workhorses. They’re just that good. The trick however, is knowing when to use them. Each one brings a wee little something different to the table because of their undertones. And for those that don’t know about undertones, they’re those sneaky colours that are hard to see in little paint samples but sure make themselves known when an entire room is painted.
Farrow and Ball White Tie
No. 2002
F&B White Tie is a gentle warm white that brings a soft glow to a space. This is my favourite creamy white because it’s bright and airy, yet still feels cozy. I typically don’t use it in a room that has a lot of pure white as that will bring out the yellow undertones. To make a home feel really calm, I’ll usually specify White Tie for both walls and trim.
Sherwin Williams Shoji White
SW 7042
Shoji White is a beautiful complex cream, or what used to be known as a very light beige. What I like about Shoji White is that it has a very slight green undertone. This brings warmth to a space without the prominent yellow undertone that a lot of creams have. I especially love using Shoji White when combined with furnishings and draperies that are in the green family.
Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
OC 20
Pale Oak is a greige colour, meaning it’s a mix of beige and grey. It has pink-purple undertones that have to be taken into consideration when using. It’s perfect for use with taupe fixed finishes or red stained woods. And it remains one of Benjamin Moores most popular colours. I’ve specified this colour many times as it’s soft and lovely, but definitely be aware that those pink undertones can show up, especially when used with greens.
Sherwin Williams Divine White
SW 6105
Divine White is a very pretty warm white that leans toward beige. Sherwin Williams says it brings a sunkissed glow to a space. That’s because it definitely has a slight orange undertone that can lean towards orange-yellow and orange-pink. It’s a great colour to use on walls with orange toned floors or cabinets. It doesn’t read flat in low light areas and it has enough strength to not looked washed out it areas that get a lot of sunlight.
Benjamin Moore Navajo White
OC 95
A lovely cream colour for walls and cabinets that has some strength. It’s definitely not a white, so don’t be fooled by the name. This cream has a yellow-orange undertone which makes it perfect for use with orange hued floors and cabinetry. As you can see, as of writing this blog, we’re in the middle of painting these walls and cabinets with Navajo White. The orange tone of the fireplace tile blends beautifully with this paint colour and gives a yummy feel to this space.
Benjamin Moore White Down
OC 131
Pretty and soft, White Down is a very muted cream colour that brings a cozy brightness to a space. Like all creams, It has a slight yellow undertone, but its slight grey undertone adds a touch of cool for that perfect balance. I like to use it when contrasted with white cabinet and trim to show off its feathery softness. White Down is a lovely backdrop that will show off a room’s furnishings and accessories.
Benjamin Moore White Dove
OC 17
As far as whites go, White Dove is a favourite of mine as it’s definitely a white but reads warm. It pretty much works in any situation as it has the perfect combination of yellow and grey undertones. It’s a wonderfully versatile choice for cabinets, trims and even walls. When trying to pick a white (which is not as easy colour to choose as one may think) White Dove, with its neutral warmth, is a good starting point.
So there you have it, a collection of some of my favourite warm neutrals. I’ve showcased some of the lighter ones as they work well when wanting a colour for an entire main floor. There’s a lot more on my favourites list, including some darker neutrals that I like to use for bedrooms and dining rooms. It’s amazing how the right colour can breathe new life into a space. My best advice is to pay attention to the undertones because a neutral is never neutral, there’s always a wee hint of an undertone. And getting that wrong can be so disappointing.
