Selecting the right white for your project isn't always a straight-forward decision. There are so many types of white to choose from, each often with subtle variations and differences. Plus, depending on where it's being applied, the lighting around it and surrounding finishes, can all influence how it looks. So, don't worry, you're not alone in thinking white can be very challenging to get right.
Let us take you through a few of our 'go-to whites', where we've used them and why.
Natural White – Dulux
Beach Restaurant, Byron Bay
Application: interior walls
This coastal restaurant is flooded with natural light and warm neutral finishes. Dulux's Natural White has a slight touch of warmth to it, which balances the warm hues throughout the space. With the creamy finishes and natural lighting, it was the perfect choice here.
Double Alabaster – Resene
Grandview House, East Ballina
Application: interior walls and ceilings
Double Alabaster is one of our favourites for residential projects. This is a crisp white that works well in most types of light. It's a pure white and can be used to create a sense of expansiveness. At Grandview House simplicity and minimalism were at the core of the design. We specified Double Alabaster for all walls, ceiling, skirtings and architraves to create a seamless, fresh and bright backdrop to the dark floors.
Parchment – Resene
Seaview Residences, Byron Bay
Application: exterior cladding
The drab beige/grey exterior of these townhouses have been given an uplift with Parchment by Resene. Parchment is at heart a 'beige' rather than a cold white, but used externally when there's an abundance of sun, this colour settles lightly on the building creating rich warmth and tonality, perfectly backdropping the lush landscaping.
Blanc – Resene
Eighth Blanc – Resene
Alstonville Farmhouse, Alstonville
Application:
Blanc to interior walls to picture rail
Eighth Blanc to ceiling and high walls
For this 100-year-old Farmhouse renovation we chose Blanc by Resene for walls and cabinetry. We played with the strength of the colour using full Blanc on the lower sections on the walls to create depth where needed and Eighth Blanc (essentially tinted to an eighth of the strength of Blanc) for the high sections of wall and ceilings. This creates a sense of cosiness within the high decorative ceilings.
Eighth Blanc – Resene
Alstonville Farmhouse, Alstonville
Application: exterior cladding, posts and balustrade
Eighth Blanc was used on all elements of the exterior. From cladding to fascia, posts and balustrades – this white has a hint of rose beige that gives a nod to the antiquity and the heritage of the home. It also perfectly complements the existing rosewood timber door and window frames.
Before we wrap up there's a few more tips we'd like to share.
Picking a paint colour from a supplier (eg. Dulux, Resene or Porter's Paints) doesn't mean that your painter has to use that supplier for their paint. They all have universal colour codes that can be mixed for any base paint. Your painter will have a preferred supplier for their paints due to pricing or personal preference with application, but insist that they have their paints tinted to the colour of your choice.
Most paints are now low VOC, which is great, but certainly still worth asking your painter what base product they're using and its VOC content. There are plenty of options if you want healthier paints such as NO VOC or chalk-based paints, check out ecocolour's range of NO VOC paints or Murobond's chalk-based range.
What finish to specify for each application:
General walls – Low sheen
Ceilings – Flat
Skirting and Architraves – Semi gloss, Gloss or Satin – depending on your look
Bathrooms – Mould resistant Low sheen or Satin
Metal surfaces – Semi gloss or Gloss with a metal paint primer
Are you planning a renovation or new build? Download our FREE 'New Project Checklist' now or get in touch to talk to one of our designers.
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