This week in my colour review, I share with you one of my favourite white paint colours: White Dove by Benjamin Moore.
COLOUR CONVENIENCE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!
To get all the information I share about this colour conveniently in one place and even more paint colour combinations to use with White Dove, check out my new Essential Colour Guides. A must have for any colour enthusiast or interior design professional. It’s a super helpful resource that you can now have have easily to hand when needed.
TOP TIP:
Don’t be fooled into thinking that when you hear the name of a paint colour, then that specific paint colour, must be that colour. Confused? LOL
What I mean is, just because White Dove is called ‘WHITE’ Dove, doesn’t mean to say that it’s a true white.
As an example, I’ve noticed that some clients can get put off when I show them a colour that has the word ‘Gray’ in it, if they are not a fan of Gray. However, because all grays have undertones, what one perceives as ‘Gray’ in their own mind, can be completely different than the actual ‘Gray’ colour I’m specifying .
You can see what I mean about Grays in this video.
As for the whites, stick with me and you’ll understand what I’m talking about when you look at the my white paint colour comparisons.
Here’s what I’ll be sharing with you about White Dove in Episode #2:
- The Undertone of White Dove
- Colour Comparisons to other whites
- Best Whites for Ceilings, Doors and Trim
- Fabulous Colour Combinations
- Favourite Applications In Interior Design
Another view of my Toronto clients dining room. Notice how the White Dove paint colour on the walls match perfectly with the custom ripplefold drapery? That’s not a coincidence. 😉
Okay, are you ready? Let’s do this! Watch my video review by clicking the image below.
White Dove OC- 17 by Benjamin Moore
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Undertones:
White Dove is not a true white. They rarely are! It has a creamy undertone that makes it a soft, rich white paint colour to work with for your interior decorating projects.
Colour Comparisons:
Despite what my husband thinks (that all whites are created equal and look the same) this is so not the case! When you begin to compare whites, you will start to notice how very different they all are from one another.
This is why it really bothers me when contractors or kitchen companies recommend a cabinetry colour, without even factoring in the counter tops, the back splash or any other fixed elements in a space. That’s a totally backwards way of thinking!!
Below are comparisons between White Dove and Chantilly Lace by BM. As you can see, the White Dove is creamier than the Chantilly Lace. Chantilly Lace is what I like to refer to as one of the rare ‘true whites’.
If you prefer a white that is less stark that Chantilly Lace, but more creamy than White Dove, Benjamin Moore’s Ivory White is a good alternative to consider.
Best White Paint Colours
You could use either of the whites mentioned above as trim colours to pair with White Dove on the walls, or you could just continue using White Dove!
In my Toronto clients dining room, we chose to keep the natural stain of the wood trim, as it was also the finish on their gorgeous, warm toned interior doors, as well as part of the charm and character of their home.
HAVE YOU USED WHITE DOVE? COMMENT BELOW TO LET ME KNOW!
Fabulous Colour Combinations
Here you can see my large painted board Hale Navy, tucked behind a baseboard painted in White Dove.
Below you can see the paint colour combination together that I used in my clients main floor decorating project.
In my previous blog post where I reviewed Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams, I recommended White Dove as one of the best whites to pair with it.
The image below is the work of a good friend of mine, the extremely talented Kristie Barnett, AKA The Decorologist. I love how Kristie painted Kendall Charcoal on the ceiling.
I always find the painted ‘fifth wall’ to be so dramatic, unexpected and exciting in a space. I also included Krities’s work in my video about the Best White Paint colours.
If you are looking for a lighter contrast, White Dove also looks great when paired with the classic greige tone of Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore.
As shown above in the colour palette of the three colours used in my clients home, Sea Haze 2137-50 by BM also works wonderfully with White Dove.
Here I’ve added Classic Gray into the colour combination, if you want to bring in a fourth colour.
The walls in the image below are painted Sea Haze and this is the same clients living room, as the industrial styled dining room shown earlier in this post.
This fun fireplace floor tile that we used has warm tones that pair beautifully with White Dove.
Fabulous Colour Palettes – Perfect for Pinning!
The pretty inspirational photos below (and many more!) can be found here on my Pinterest board titled ‘Colour Palettes.‘ You can see in this colour palette just how flawlessly all of these hues look together.
This pattern below shows a more masculine colour combination in various tones by Benjamin Moore.
A QUICK STORY
For this particular interior decorating project, it was quite tricky to choose a colour for the walls in the living room. Normally, specifying colour comes very easy to me.
In this case however, I was initially a little unsure about using Sea Haze. Mainly because the colours that we used for many of the accents in the room such as pillow fabrics and in the area rug are what I like to refer to as ‘clean’ colours.
Sea Haze is a colour that I consider to be more ‘muddy’ or ‘dirty’. I almost never mix ‘clean and dirty’, but here it worked.
To double check though, I was able to see this paint colour in our 3D rendering software designs that we did for our clients. It’s not a perfect match because we are looking at it on a computer program, but it was enough to give me confidence to give it the thumbs up and move forward with this colour.
As a matter of interest, check out the before photo of this room! Quite the transformation, eh?!
My Favourite Places to Use White Dove
As shown above, I love White Dove in either an entire room, or as trim colour and also for custom mill work.
Below are graphics I designed, I just love creating these! I think they are pretty, do you?
AND, I also love it in a kitchen! See more beautifully painted rooms on my Instagram Highlight Reel of White Dove here.
Want Your Own Set of Large Painted Boards?
If you read my blog or watch my videos, you’ll know that I always recommend you use large painted boards before selecting a paint colour for any room. If you only need a few colours, you can easily paint your own. But if you are specifying colour regularly or a design professional, having your own set in various neutrals and bold paint colours is an extremely helpful resource for your business.
➜ Click here to shop the large colour boards now!
// DISCLOSURE: Thank you for trusting me with my truthful and reliable opinion on any future purchase you may make. I always disclose affiliate or sponsored information when it is the case. If you purchase Maria’s boards, I will earn a small commission from the sale. This doesn’t affect you in any way, the price remains the same regardless. Thank you for supporting me and entrusting me to be your go-to for all things Colour and Interior Design!
I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!
If you’ve used a paint colour that I’ve reviewed or you want to ask a question, or even if you have a different point of view to mine, please do share!
For colour advice, please note that I can’t always give advice based on simply reading about a scenario. If it were that easy for me to recommend the perfect paint hue, without knowing more about the specific space; the lighting situation; what other fixed elements to consider etc, then I really would be even more magical than I already am. HAHA!
Nine times out of ten, I will always recommend that you either seek advice from a local Colour Professional or I might be able to hook you up with an online colour consultation.
Until then, follow me on Pinterest to see more colour combinations and inspiration for your home.
117 thoughts on “White Dove by Benjamin Moore Colour Review”
Great post, Claire. White Dove is one of my go tos.
I think it’s a go-to for many design professionals, such a pretty tone. Cheers Darla!
I love White Dove! Lovely color, reminds me of Alabaster by SW.
Ditto Julie!
White Dove is the trim color I specify the most…it really does “play well with others”!
Definitely a favourite for many of us design professionals! Cheers for watching Janet!
Is there such thing as too much White Dove? Can I do walls, trim, kitchen cabinets, and kitchen island all in White Dove? If you had to recommend one of those things to do in another color, which would it be?
If you love that colour and the look, then do it! As long as there is something to ground the space. I did a bathroom in all Simply White by BM. The walls, the cabinetry and the tile (we initially colour matched the shower tile to Simply White) with a hardwood looking tile. We love it and so do our clients! See it here in our portfolio –> https://clairejefford.com/portfolio/gallery/gwynne-avenue/
Hello,
I was thinking of pairing chantilly lace with hale navy or old navy (not sure yet) and I was wondering when you paint a wall whether it’s white dove or old navy do you paint the trims the same colour but with a different finish?
Baseboards are typically painted with a semi gloss finish so it’s easier to wipe dust. Crown molding can also be a semi gloss, where your ceilings are often matt so they are less reflective. Historically the popular sheen for walls have been an egg shell, but lately a trend has been to paint walls in a matt as well.
I love these posts, Claire. They’re really giving me the confidence to discuss colors with my clients. White Dove is my go to trim color.
So happy to hear this Jillian!!
I use White Dove quite often as it does pair with so many colors and seems to stay true to itself in various applications. Great videos, Claire.
So fabulous to hear this Bridget! Thanks so much for watching, glad you are enjoying my videos! 🙂
I am using SW Agreeable Gray in my home gym. There are no windows in this basement room. Would you suggest using White Dove as my trim?
Hello Kimberly! Yes, Agreeable Gray and White Dove work well together.
I am thinking of using white dove for my trim. What what do you suggest for the walls? I would like there to be some brown (not yellow) undertones and somewhat of a contrast with the trim. Thanks!
Hi Dee. I would choose your wall colours first, match them up with your fixed elements such as counters, fireplace stone, tile, etc. Then choose the best white to work with the paint colour and those fixed elements too. Do you have my free pdf download on How to Choose the Right Paint Colours the first time? That should help. You can get it here –> https://clairejefford.com/ccd-freebies/
I’ve painted my walls in a finished basement white dove and wonder what color I should paint the ceiling. I want to make the room as bright as it can. I’m not sure if I should paint the ceiling White Dove or if there is a color a little lighter I should try. I’d appreciate any suggestions!
Thanks!
Hi Missy. First thing to remember is that a light colour will not make a dark room bright. You will need good lighting for that to happen, even if natural lighting is not possible, pot lights tend to be better than one central fixture for the best light. There are quite a few whites that will work with White Dove, but I would just paint the ceiling the same white, but in a matte finish. With shadows from lighting, the same colour will often look different when applied onto different surfaces and with different sheens.
Where can I get white dove for cabinets please
Hi Evelyn! You can have cabinets either custom made and ask your carpenter to do them in White Dove or if they are existed cabinets, you can seek out a painter who sprays cabinetry.
Hi! I am using white dove for the trim for my entire home. I would like a brighter color for the ceilings. What white would you recommend for the ceilings?
Whites that are lighter than White Dove which you may wish to consider are Snowfall White, Oxford White, Simply White. All of these are Benjamin Moore colours.
Hi Claire, I have white dove as the trim color thoughout my entire house. We built 9 years ago and I want to change my current beige walls to a “white” that coordinates well with white dove. Any suggestions? My house has beachy tones, light blues, beige, ivory. Thanks!
Hi there! My husband and I just bought a second home and the walls are a grey color and the trim and doors are white dove. There isn’t a ton of natural light in the downstairs portion of home where the main living spaces are and the wood floors have a little grey tone to them, so we change the s from grey to white. I want a brighter starker white because of the lack of natural light — and I am wondering if you have any suggestions for a brighter white that would pair okay with white dove trim and doors. Any insight is so so appreciated! Thanks 🙂
Hi Jenny! Simply white and Chantilly Lace are more white and they both look nice with White Dove.
Excellent post. Keep writing such kind of information on your site.I’m really impressed by your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Cheers for reading!
Hi Claire: our whole house is white dove. We are doing some remodeling and want a brighter white but will leave the cabinetry in white dove. Floors will be walnut and accent wall will be prettier. Do you suggest Simlly white to be a little brighter but look Good together? Thank you!
Hi Laura. Simply White and White Dove look lovely together. Remember to look at what else you have going on in the space though, such as any tile or stone to ensure it works with the lighter / whiter walls.
Our kitchen cabinets and family room built ins are White Dove and we are thinking about painting our walls (open concept family room-dining-kitchen) a white as well. I would like to brighten up our space but wondering if we go with a “whiter” white that maybe our cabinets would appear dingy or more yellow?
Remember that brightening up a space doesn’t happen simply by adding a light colour on the walls. The lighting itself (artificial or natural) is what will make a space lighter. I’m not a big fan of white on white, especially when it’s a white and a cream or off white. I think it is tricky to pull off without making whichever one is more off white appear dingy, just as you mentioned. Is there a fireplace stone that you can pull from or another fixed element in the space which would be a key factor in choosing a wall colour? That is where I would look to first.
Hello. My kitchen cabinets are white dove and my countertops are basilica by Cambria. My island is chelsea gray by BM and wall color is usuful gray by SW. I am trying to figure out what my trip should be . I am getting 4.5 inch shutters and need to tell them the color. Company trying to tell me pearl 009 is best match but not too sure where this color comes from. Should I go with white dove trim and tell them I want to do white dove bm shutters to match. ? do you know anything about this pear 009 color? thank you so much.
Yes, white dove looks beautiful with those colours, as you know because you have painted your cabinetry that white. I don’t know what they are referring to in terms of the Pear 009, but yes, would do the trim White Dove.
Hi Claire. I have Cambria Ironsbridge countertops and can’t decide which Ben Moore cabinet color to use. My kitchen faces north but I’m afraid of a very bright white. Cambria recommends white opalescence which is completely wrong. Please suggest colors that could work.
Thanks
Hi Marilyn. Unfortunately, I don’t seem to have a sample of Cambria’s Ironsbridge. However, I agree with you that by looking on line at the suggested colours, the Opalescence doesn’t seem to be a good match with it – but I also appreciate that looking at elements such as this on line is not best practice.
My advice would be to take a sample of the Cambria counter (if you can get it from your rep) to a Benjamin Moore store. Pick 3-4 whites that look best and then bring them home to view them in your own space/light. From there, if you can confidently narrow it down to 2, consider getting small sample pots and painting large boards in those 2 colours. Place the painted boards vertically and the counter horizontally, in the same way that they will be oriented in your home. Then view the counter with the paint at a few different times of the day to see which works best. Also, be sure to consider other tile or flooring in the space. Whites can be tricky! Good luck and let us know what you decide. Thanks.
I loved your videos! Thank you!
I just renovated my entire 2nd floor and would like to paint ALL of the bedroom and hallway walls in White Dove and all moldings, doors, and trim in super white, both by Benjamin Moore.
In your opinion, will these colors look nicely together? Will there be a nice, subtle contrast?
Hi Claire – if we have white dove shiplap walls — what color would you paint the ceiling?
Hi Candy. I would paint the ceiling in White Dove as well. It will look slightly different anyway because not only is it being applied to a different texture (shiplap vs drywall) but it’s also going to be a different sheen. Don’t over complicate it. 🙂
hi, I recently used white dove on my walls in a second home. I have always loved white dove and use it on my trim so was confident that I would love it painted on walls. When I saw the paint job, I was convinced it wasn’t right. I looked again at the paint can and the formal for white dove purchased from a different hardware store was different from the one I had always used. What is the correct formula for white dove?
and btw, I’m thinking of using white dove on walls flat with cottontails semi-gloss on trim. what do you think?
We just remodeled our first floor, and we opted for White Dove on walls and ceiling. Entryway cabinetry is BM Sea Haze. I need a color for my brick fireplace. Considering Kendall Charcoal, would that be too dark? I want it to be neutral, and a different shade, but complimenting our new entryway cabinets. Kitchen is redone with Natural Cherry and Soapstone. Thanks for your thoughts!
Hi Jessica. This colour combination is lovely. As to whether or not the Kendall charcoal is too dark a colour for the fireplace will depend on a few different factors. One, do you like dark colours? For me I love the contrast and dramatic look, so I’m never afraid of using dark colours. Secondly, you need to create balance within the space. If there is a large dark fireplace on one side of the room and the rest is all white walls, it won’t feel right. It could be as simple as having a dark gray sofa opposite the fireplace and black framed windows and now it all comes together nicely. Good design is all about looking at the big picture.
Hi! Thank you for this informative site! I am repainting a bright south exposure sunroom. The existing color is an old restoration hardware color in a sage green. While the color is nice I am just feeling ready for a change. I am considering painting the walls White dove. The trim in the room is bright white and all windows (9 of them ) are covered in plantation shutters in white as well. The ceiling is flat white with 4 large sky lights. So obviously the room gets lots of natural light! Do you think that it is just too much white? I envision a creamy white that will contrast a bit with the trim and shutters to make the space fresh and clean looking. The living room that looks into the sunroom has a griege color paint ( my gray sofas go very nicely with the walls so I know there is gray undertones). I’ve got my white dove sample to try but wanted your thoughts on the white on white. Any advice is appreciated!
Hello Shauna, thanks for your comment. You may have already made your decision based on the date that you posted, apologies for my late reply.
That will definitely be a lot of white. While white walls are on trend right now, it’s important to know how to decorate and style a space in the right way to make it look fabulous like the rooms we see on line or in magazines. I’m personally not a fan of mixing off white and bright white, which sounds like that is what you will be doing with all the bright white shutters and trim. But again, that is a personally preference. Let us know how you got on, it can be tricky to comment when I’m not in the space to see.
What are we to do with all of these sample pots after our painting is complete?
If you don’t want to hang on to them for possible future use, you can take them to somewhere like Home Depot and they dispose of old paint cans safely.
Hi Claire, I am remodeling my home and basically changing all paint colors and most fixed elements (stone, cabinet color, countertops). I would love to do a white throughout the home, and get my color from furniture/accessories etc. I am very torn between Sherwin Williams Alabaster and White Dove. I plan to do the ceilings, wall, trim and cabinets all in whichever one I go with, different sheens. I’ve painted poster boards and put them all around. Both are very pretty, I’m just concerned about undertones that I may not see from the poster boards. I have covered porches around my home adjacent to the main living rooms which dims the natural light some. Can you give me any advice on which of these two colors overall tends to work best for the long run? I plan to do neutral furnishings also. My floors are all hardwood, a mix of provincial and special walnut. I would appreciate any input you can give me. Love your blog :).
You need to be guided by those new fixed elements you are choosing for your space. Looking at those and which white works best with the tones in counters, stone etc, is what you need to be doing. It may not end up being either of those whites depending on what you choose for finishes. Be sure to choose paint last and as you know, not all whites are created equal!
Hi Claire, I have 1950 metal kitchen cabinets that need to be repainted. They are currently white… No idea what brand or color, they are definitely a true white. I love the freshness of a white kitchen but am lost as to what products to use and the steps to take to successfully refinish my cabinets. Any direction and support you can give would be greatly appreciated!!!
Hi Shelly. That’s a great question, one that I truly do not know the answer too. I did a search in YouTube and very little results came up that were helpful. Consult with a local paint store to get their advice on this. Then be sure to document the update in a video, because it clearly needs to be addressed!
Firstly, I love your videos. Lots of examples, which are very helpful.
Undecided re: color for my kitchen walls, cabinets and trim. I inherited “Steamed Milk” plantation shutters (color was chosen and shutters installed without my input 🙁 but they’re not bad. I have Luna Pearl countertops,white subway tile backsplash and LVT called Enchanted forest (Alterna Armstrong)… same colors as the fireplace you did. Will White Dove be a good choice? Just don’t want the shutters to look beige. It seems pretty close to the color of the shutters…a little lighter but doesn’t seem to turn the shutters beige. Also, should I use a satin or semi gloss finish on the trim and cabinets? Thanks so much.
Hi Connie. I just googled Luna Pearl granite and this will definitely be where you need to take direction from when choosing any of the colours for your kitchen. It appears to have white and some grey taupe blotches. Please look at paint boards with your counter and then your shutters to determine what will be the best choice. I like a semi gloss on the trim of baseboards, as it’s more easy to wipe.
I have maple wood kitchen cabinets and looking to paint and glaze I was thinking about white dove but not sure what glaze color I should use we don’t want a lot in the cracks just enough to see a little contrast. Do you have any suggestions?
I have maple wood kitchen cabinets and looking to paint and glaze I was thinking about white dove but not sure what glaze color I should use we don’t want a lot in the cracks just enough to see a little contrast. Do you have any suggestions?
Hi Louise. Whenever we paint cabinets, we hire a company to spray them – the doors/drawers off site. I’ve never actually used a glaze so cannot comment on that specifically.
Likely a stupid question (I always tell my kids no question is stupid 🙂 ) so here goes…can a paint be mixed incorrectly? I painted a bunch of White Dove swatches directly on my walls, it’s stark white, it even matches my trim and closet door that are Kelly Moore Swiss Coffee. It looks like I painted a primer. Now, the walls currently are a deep mustard color in which I painted directly over because I was told at paint store BM paint has a primer in the paint already. Could this cause the stark white? Absolutely no gray or any undertones are visible. There was a problem with the first can, I had to return it because 2 hours after purchase, I went to paint and there was about 2.5” of thick gooey substance in the bottom of the can after they had mixed it, they said they’d never seen this happen before.
Yikes! I’ve not had this happen personally before, sorry this happened to you. It sounds like a problem with the mixer perhaps or the paint going off? I don’t even know if that is a thing, but someone at the store should be able to assist you. Good luck!
Hi Louise,
I have black granite countertops, and Revere pewter walls,
I’m thinking of painting my cabinets White Dove and the island cabinets Kendall Charcoal…
The kitchen has a lot of natural light as it faces West.
Do you think this White is the right White?
Thanks again for your comments and suggestions…
Hi Faye, it’s Claire here by the way. Those 3 colours you mention all work beautifully together. If there is no white anywhere in the space to refer to – like in a back splash or floor tile for example – then it should be fine. Also check how it will go with the current trim colour or if you are considering changing that as well, then you could use White dove there too.
Hi, love all your suggestions and ideas! I’m painting our kitchen cabinets BM white dove and our island BM newburyport blue, our counter will be Pietra Quartz and I’m torn on the wall color. I like both SW agreeable gray and BM collingwood. Which paint color would be better? Have south and south west facing windows. Would love your suggestions! Thanks so much
Hi Cheryl. Thanks for your kind words, I’m glad you are enjoying my posts!
I’m not familiar with Pietra Quartz specifically, so please take large samples of all of your finishes and possible paint colours, then display them the same way as they will be put into the space. (IE counters horizontal, paint and cabinetry colours vertical)
This way you should get a good idea of which colour will work best.
Hi Claire,
I am remodeling my pool house and am thinking of either BM Gray Wisp or SW Sea Salt for the walls and BM White Dove for the cabinets. Should I also do the trim in White Dove or a whiter white? Thanks in advance.
Dottie
Hey Dottie, I recommend using the same white for the trim as you are doing on the cabinets. There is no need to introduce another white and remember that the trim will likely be painted in a different sheen to the cabinets and the light hits them both differently so they won’t look exactly the same. Don’t overthink it! Cheers for watching.
Hi there – I’m painting the first floor of my rowhome (open plan kitchen, dining, and living room) White Dove – the main windows (living room) are west-facing. What finish do you recommend for the White Dove – matte or eggshell?
Thank you and love your posts!
Mike
Hello Michael. In the past and for a very long time, the eggshell sheen has typically been the most popular to use when painting walls. As of late, we are seeing a trend of more homeowners and designers using a matte finish. Consider whether you want the walls to have any sheen to them. Benjamin Moore carries a line (cannot recall which one exactly at this time) of matte paint that is easily wipeable. That is something else you want to think about, especially if you have kids or a busy home where walls get easily dirty AND with the colour being so light.
Hi,
I have black granite countertops with grey glass subway tile backsplash.Dark brown hardwood..
My kitchen also faces west..
I’m painting my maple cabinets white…
Should I use Simply white,Dove white or Cloud white BM paint color.
Thanks so much for you suggestion.
Take all 3 colours and paint them on large boards, hold them upright on the counter and move around at different times of the day to determine which works best. Simply white is more ‘bright’ than the other two, with White Dove being the creamiest of the three.
It’s really difficult to say for sure without seeing everything. It sounds like all the colours are solid and no patterns with varying colours. Paint large sample boards of each white and then place them vertically on top of the counter top in front of the backsplash, each at different times of the day to see what works best. Also consider what your current trim/crown/ceiling white tone is so the new cabinetry colour works well with that.
I love your videos and your blog. I too love white dove and have used it in the kitchen and entirely in a bedroom. I am “fixing up” my home for resale purposes as my husband passed away and I need a smaller home and yard. I have a rather large living room and a small foyer. While I do not see much about it, I love the color, BM Silver Chain. I first thought I would paint the living room in silver chain and the foyer in Kendall Charcoal; however, I think that Revere Pewter goes better with my furniture and tile around the fireplace. My question is: Do you think that revere pewter in the large living room would look good with Kendall Charcoal in the foyer. I too like the dramatics but am afraid to get too dramatic for resale purposes. Thanks, Joanne
Hello Joanne. Sorry to hear about the passing of your husband. xo To answer your question, Kendall Charcoal and Revere Pewter look lovely together. I’m not familiar with Silver Chain. While I love creating contrast in design, depending on the lighting in your foyer, that paint colour may be a bit dark for potential new buyers when they first walk in the door. On the other hand, it may be incredibly beautiful and dramatic. Perhaps ask your realtor who will have a better idea of what helps to sell in your local area. All the best and thanks for watching!
Hi there,
I am a condo owner on a budget. My whole condo has Navajo White walls… and, the worst part… light sandy taupe doors and trim (darker than the walls). My vanities and cabinets are all that awful builder quality oak. The whole place feels dingy, especially with beige wall to wall, too. I am thinking about painting everything–walls, trim, doors, and cabinets Dove White. I have eclectic taste, with pine and oak antiques, contemporary-ish furniture, and a Tibetan wool rug that is rust, wine, terracotta, and a touch of mauve. I am a painter, too, so will have a lot of landscape and abstract paintings on the walls. Generally, I want to lighten and brighten the place up and make it feel cleaner and airier. This should make it feel bigger, I hope, and provide a good backdrop for interesting colors and textures in furniture and accent pieces. Am I on a good track? I hope to one day add hickory hardwood floors…
Hi there. This question is quite in depth and without seeing the space, it’s hard for me to comment on whether what you have going on is working. If you need help with design and decor in your home, I highly recommend investing in a colour and design consult with a professional in your local area.
I love this blog. Thank you for educating me on white paint. My contractor and I chose Origami White for my kitchen cabinets 6 months ago. At that time, I thought there was white and off white paint. Little did I know. I’m now trying to pick a paint color for my walls and I’m having a difficult time. I’m thinking of White Dove, but not sure if that color will go with my cabinets. My island is marble and countertop is gray. I have wooden floors. Can you suggest other white colors that will complement Origami White?
Thanks for reading Alli. I’ve not used Origami White by SW before, but I just pulled the card out of my paint kit. I paired it with Snowbound by SW and Cloud White by BM. Those seem to work well, but my boards are painted, whereas the card with Origami is printed. Plus, the weather is dark and rainy here today so not the best light. I wasn’t loving White Dove with it how it was showing here in my studio. Be sure to test with large painted boards in your own space to see how it looks with your cabinets and at different times of the day. Best of luck!
Hi Claire, hello from a former Burlingtonian , now in Niagara-on-the-Lake! Great post, very helpful. In one of your blogs you spoke about it being okay to have White Dove walls with Simply White cabinetry. I’m torn here as I am finding the white dove sample cabinet board too yellow with my new Lancaster Bianco 3×12 matte white subway tile backsplash in a kitchen with western exposure. The cabinet doors will be sprayed by kitchen cabinetry company and I think with the addition of the lacquer in the spray paint it yellows the colour a titch. The walls are a done deal in White Dove and ceilings are 50% White Dove so the real question is White Dove or Simply White for a less creamy/yellowy look for the cabinetry. Looking for your wisdom here!
Hello Deb, I love Niagara on the lake!! In terms of your question, I don’t have Lancaster Bianco to hand to see it together with either of the whites. I recommend you paint a couple of large sample boards like the ones I use in my videos and move them around the room / counters at different times of the day to see what would work best.
Do you use White Dove on the walls and for the trim?
Hi Karen. You could use the same white for both. It’s likely that the sheen’s will be different ie -trim semi-gloss and main walls eggshell or matte – so this will make them look slightly different anyway.
I have enjoyed reading through this blog.
My space is open concept with lots of natural light. My kitchen cabinets are cloud white. Can I paint the walls, ceiling and trim in a matte white dove?
Thanks Lorraine. Although you could paint the walls White Dove, as those whites are not drastically different from one another, I don’t think it’s necessary to introduce a new white in this case. The Cloud White may very well look slightly different when applied to the walls vs the cabinetry anyway, so I’d consider using Cloud White or a completely different neutral if you want to see some contrast in colour.
Thanks for the video it was very helpful. Would white dove or dove wing cabinets look better with calacatta gold? Do you have a better suggestion to go with the calacatta gold? Is it ok to paint the cabinets wall and crown molding around the kitchen the same color? It will be semi gloss and eggshell so it will look a tiny bit different. Thanks I appreciate the advice.
Hi Lori. Calcutta gold comes up in search as a marble, quartz and a granite. Therefore, I don’t know which one you are referring to specifically. Be sure to look at your counter with possible options you are looking to paint your cabinets, holding a paint board up behind it and then comparing a few to see which works best. And yes, you can paint the cabinetry and crown molding the same colour.
Great help! I’m painting my den, with a cathedral ceiling, in Edgecome Gray. The ceiling has many levels, and I’m treating all the verticals as the ceiling color and also repainting all trim. There will be a lot of the ceiling color showing. Is White Dove a good choice for doors, trim and ceiling with the Edgecomb Gray?
Edgecombe Gray and White Dove work wonderfully together! In fact, we just used this colour combination in a clients condo with beautiful results.
Hello. Love your blog! Would you suggest White Dove or Chantilly White for trim/doors/ceiling with Ballet White walls? North and west exposures. I want contrast but not too glaring. Thanks, in advance.
Hi Lauren. Both Chantilly lace and White Dove work well with Ballet White. You need to decide if you want to go more creamy (White Dove) or a starker white (Chantilly). Refer to your fixed elements and any fabrics that you have in the space to see what would work best in your situation. Thanks for reading!
I’m painting my walls Benjamin Moore pale oak. I want all the undertones of white dove, just a bit whiter on my kitchen cabinets. Is having the paint mixed with white by 25 or 50 percent a good idea to brighten it up a bit? Or should I pick a different white altogether? I just want a bit more contrast but keep the undertones. Any ideas? Thank you!
Hi Melissa. I never mess with paint colours and percentages, I believe there are enough colours in the world to find the perfect colour every time. Try looking at Simply White, it’s fractionally more white. Test it first please! thanks.
Claire,
The exterior of my home has always been some shade of white with black shutters and black front door for years. I am repainting the outside White Dove this time around and would like to know the correct black to use for the shutters and door. They are currently a muted black, not a bold black. Thank you! This post has been very helpful.
Hi Susan, thanks for your question. You need to pull out various blacks and look at them with White Dove AND look at the colours outside because that’s where they are going to be applied. Colours always look twice as bright outside and if you have any other black fixtures outside on your house, like eavestroughs or the front door, you’ll want to make sure the black is the same as those so there aren’t too many variances between each one.
Great video and loved how you paired white dove with both warm and cool palettes. I am about to repaint my entire house white (walls and trim) we have terra cotta floors and warm woods and a cooler palette for the fabrics etc. Oving to more modern Mediterranean. I’m torn between BM White Dove, SW Shell White and SW Creamy. I’ve dragged my paint squares all over the house and still cant decide. Seeing how you used it with White Dove with cool and warm I’m wondering if that may be the way to go for future flexibility…..thoughts?
Hello Anna. It’s impossible for me to say without seeing it for myself. Please download my FREE Paint Guide on 5 Steps to Choosing the Right paint colour. Hopefully that helps you. Here is the link –> https://clairejefford.com/ccd-freebies/ Good luck!
Hi Clair,
I appreciate all your valuable advise and am hoping you can point me in the right direction!
We are just starting a main floor open concept kitchen/living room Reno.
Lucky me, my husband has built and painted our new kitchen cabinets Oxford White. The island is Walnut as well as a walnut pantry. Counters are LG Viatera Minuet. We have added a traditional gas fireplace in the livingroom that we are also planing to paint Oxford White with a walnut mantle. My question is, is it ok to paint all the trim the same colour! I’m debating on White Dove or Dove wing for the walls. Thoughts??
Hello Sharon
Although I am not familiar with the counter tops you mention, but if Oxford White works well with all your fixed elements, then you can absolutely paint the trim in the same colour instead of feeling like you need to introduce a new white. Remember, the trim will be a different sheen which will make it take on a slightly different tone anyone. So it won’t look exactly the same. Good luck, sounds like an exciting project!
Hello!
I am using Farrow and Ball Lamp Room Gray as an accent wall in my living room (the largest wall).I have a open plan kitchen too. I was going to use WImborne White in kitchen (cabinets are a mahogany with warm cream granite counters). I current have swiss coffee by Behr all over kitchen and rest of open plan living room. But it’s been 13 years and it needs a repaint and I thought I would lighten it up. Is White Dove too grey to put with warmer tones in the kitchen? Swiss coffee was great as not too warm nor too cool but I want something a touch lighter and more of a white now. How does White Dove compare to swiss coffee or I heard Cotton Balls or Mountain Peak White could be an option. Farrow and Ball is a little pricey to do all over – even though I love their paint!
Also – I was going to paint the baseboards same color just in a satin finish.
Hello Sarah. If you are asking me whether Lamp Room Gray would work with White Dove, it absolutely would. In fact, I think that combination looks rather lovely! Just be sure to check that white with your fixed elements and other paint colours in your home if you are using it for trim. I’m not familiar with how Swiss Coffee by Behr so cannot comment as to how it compares. Good luck!
Hi Claire!
I’m finally painting my knotty pine paneling white in my downstairs family room. There are only 2 windows, and the room doesn’t get a ton of light and the ceilings aren’t high (since it’s walk out basement! All the other walls in the room are pale oak. I’m torn between painting the paneling white dove or simply white… any recommendations?
Hi Fay. Both whites work well with Pale Oak, so you need to decide which you prefer. The more creamy and slightly deeper White Dove or Simply White which is slightly more bright and white. Be careful when painting pine, ensure you prep it properly and be aware that the knots may bleed through over time.
p.s. Lamp Room Gray I believe is a match for Sea Haze by BM which is why I feel you’d know what to do! My issue is going too cool against the warmth of the kitchen -although my glass tiles in there definitely has many shades of grey and cool and warm in them which is why I got them. They match everything!
Hello Claire,
This is my first time here and wow! So much great information!
We are about to undertake a major main floor reno including kitchen and it is all open. I know I love White Dove as I used it in my master bedroom paired with Simply White trim, which looks fantastic! I wanted to do the cabinets in White Dove, mostly because I am afraid of going to stark with anything else and want an ‘all white’ feel to the main floor, but have 7 kids (!!) so am afraid of dirty walls.
Three options:
1) paint everything White Dove (cabinets, walls and trim) or
2) do cabinets in White Dove and use a slightly darker colour for the walls throughout (such as??? I like Edgecomb gray and Revere Pewter but would like something even lighter…..) or
3) Do kitchen cabinets and trim in Simply White with walls all done in White Dove… I love how these two work together but for some reason, I am scared of using so much Simply white …
My floors are medium, rustic hardwood, and hardware will be champagne bronze. Counter is Statuario quartz and backsplash is a herringbone Carrara marble (warmer tones)
Please, please help! I need to let kitchen cabinet makers know soon and I am torn!
Hello Anita. I’m so glad you found me and have found my content helpful. There is a lot of things to consider here, which is why it is impossible for me to provide you with the right answer. My advice is to please hire a professional colour consultant in your local area. Everything needs to be seen together and in your home in order to make an informed decision. I promise that if you hire someone who is confident with colour, it will be money well spent.
I have white chair rail in my bathroom. I want to paint the upper portion white dove and the bottom collingwood. Do you think those colors work together.?
Hi Kate. Absolutely these colours work together, they are a gorgeous combination. As always,be sure to check with counter tops, floor tile and wall tile etc. to ensure the tones of each colour will work.
Hi Claire, I really enjoy reading your responses to all of the decorating quandaries out there, and nice to know I’m not alone in my indecisiveness. We are having our living room painted and plaster walls repaired. I have decided to use White Dove (eggshell) on walls. Trim and windowsills are pine and there is a stone fireplace with gray stone. The room is long, 26.5 x 13.5 and ceiling is approx 8 ft. Wondering if using White Dove (flat) is the best way to go for the ceiling paint? Thanks in advance for your advice.
Hi Sherry. I prefer the idea of using the same white if it makes sense. In the circumstance that you are describing, I don’t think bringing in a different white would make sense. The flat finish applied on the ceiling is going to make the same white look a little different anyway. Happy painting!
Hi Claire, how will White Dove look in a north-facing room? I’d like to paint my kitchen cabinets with it (great room concept). I have good-sized windows, but it can get shadowy in here at different times of the day. Also, if I do go with White Dove on cabinets, what baseboard color would you recommend? Thanks!
Hi Karen. Paint a large board with White Dove and move it around the room at different times of the day over a few days to see how it looks in your home. As for the trim, you could use White Dove, but in a semi-gloss sheen. This will make it look different to a matte or eggshell finish that you’ll likely be using for the walls. I do have an Essential Colour guide for White Dove if you want more information on co-ordinating colours and whites. You can get that here –> https://clairejefford.com/claire-jefford-shop/
Hi there, thanks for this post! I had my condo painted White Dove but it reads like a pale yellow throughout the house. What would you suggest for a brighter, whiter white that won’t read too sterile? And do you know if Simply White and/or Decorater’s white would be better options? We have to submit a colour by tomorrow, so any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
Oh dear, looks like I missed your deadline. Simply White and Decorator’s White are less creamy. Good luck!
No worries, thanks! We ended up going with Oxford White and that helped brighten the place. I will say, White Dove is a hard colour to cover! Even with three coats the warmth of it still shines through a little. Lesson learned!
Wow, that is good to know. I’ve used Oxford White before for clients kitchen cabinetry, it was beautiful. Cheers Ati!
Hi Claire! Thank you so much for all the info. We are remodeling our kitchen and the counter tops will be Cambria summer hill, back splash – warm gray subway tile, wall paint – BM pale oak and floors are medium walnut hardwood. Would you recommend white dove for kitchen cabinets, ceiling and trim? Island cabinets will be a darker color .. maybe Chelsea gray or Kendall charcoal. It’s a north facing room with very limited light
Hi Swati. I pulled my Cambria Summerhill sample and yes, White Dove would work. I actually like Pure White better though, but either one work. You could also consider Tweedcoat for the island colour as it works nicely with that counter top choice. Sounds like an exciting renovation!
It is so good to see so many other people out there struggling and stressing over picking a neutral paint colour. I have spent 2 months agonizing over which paint colour to pick for the entire house, to the point that my anxiety over not being able to make a decision is affecting my sleep. I hired a colour consultant who came in. Asked me what I wanted, so I said because it is an interior townhouse I would like to lighten and brighten it. I like warm tones, but want a clean look, and mentioned I was drawn to a lot of the colours that seemed to have yellow in them. We compared and came up with calming cream. I bought a tester can and didn’t like it on the walls. Too much yellow came out. I have tried a few other testers, all of which I haven’t loved. The last ones were Linen white and mayonnaise. I am thinking mayo is too light. I like the linen white but something is keeping me from going with it (maybe too much colour, or seems more peachy? just not sure). If I went with white dove would it help lighten and maybe provide that sense of warmth I am trying to find without being too yellow? But, I also kind of like the clean look of Simply White, but does that look too yellow or does it have a more creamy tone. I know you suggest doing the test boards, but I am really hoping you can provide a hint of experience in using these colors? I don’t have the best eyes, even when I do get the colour on the walls and the cost of testers is hitting the pocket book. Clearly hiring a colour consultant (from a paint store) didn’t help me much, unless there is someone in Ottawa you can suggest. I have a painter but I think he is going to walk away if I don’t give him an answer this week. Any help (please) you can provide would be oh so greatly appreciated
Robin, I’m sorry to hear that you are losing sleep over this. If you wish to email me the area within Ottawa where you live, then I can see if there is a ‘True Colour Expert’ in your area and then send you their information. You can email me at: info@clairejefford.com