He's definitely helping fix the situation and I don't want anyone to be out hundreds of dollars. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it less creamy? I'm assuming we can add some white in? Not sure how it works.

Don’t ask us; go back to the paint store and discuss your options. You may find that you don’t have White Dove at all. Errors occur. White Dove isn’t creamy, if anything, it leans toward gray green undertone and I wouldn’t call it a. warm color.

Yes, it's on a box so the bottom is picking up some of that but it definitely looks off white no matter where I put it. I'll for sure discuss with the paint shop but thought I'd ask for some advice here in the event anyone else has gone through the same thing! I'm afraid when I go there they will just tell me that is what White Dove looks like.

What color lights will you have in the room?

Are you using Benjamin Moore paints, or are you trying to have another line color match? My understanding is that color matching the whites can be particularly difficult, since the bases are different from line to line, and when you're adding less pigment, the difference in base tone can have a stronger effect.

I'm installing new LED recessed lights that can be adjusted for color temperature. The painter is color matching. I'm not sure if BM makes whatever this product is that he uses. I just assumed they'd have it down because it's such a popular color!

Did the painters definitely use BM paint? I have BM White Dove cabinets that were done professionally using BM paint. Then I had all the trim, baseboards, doors (we flooded) done by regular painters and they color matched the White Dove to SW paint and it was most definitely more yellow and so different that everything is now being repainted using only BM paint.

It's not BM. The painter likes a particular brand for polyurethane to paint cabinets.

Let us know what brand of paint it is, and what kind of paint.

Is the painter trying to save money by using an inferior product?

Then go back to them and tell them the color match is wrong. Be aware that they may not be able to do it, though. It's considerate that you don't want the painter to be out what he spent on paint, but he shouldn't have bought all the paint before getting your approval of the color match.

I would tell him they need a better match, or you want him to use BM paint. Alternately, you could look at a fan deck for the paint he likes and pick a color that works for you.

Then that's the problem. Even though they say they have the formulas for other vendors colors in the system, the color does not come out exactly the same due to differences in bases and tints. Ask for it to be redone with paint properly color-matched. We had the same issue with our cabinets. I understand the painter wanting to use a particular product to work with his equipment and expertise but the color needs to match spot on.

It's not BM. The painter likes a particular brand for polyurethane to paint cabinets

Then it will never match. All brands use different bases and what you're getting is colored by the base of whatever brand he uses. If you want BM White Dove, then you tell him he needs to use BM. Period. Otherwise you will never be happy.

How do I know? I wanted BM Fernwood Green and BM Wilmington Tan for my walls. My painter insisted that SW could match the color. I told him to get a can of each of the BM colors and then to show me the match with SW. Nope, the SW colors had a blue cast to them while the BM colors were warmer.

What paint companies who say they can match is hoping that most people can't tell the difference. (My DH thought I was nuts and he couldn't see the difference) but if you're color sensitive, you'll always notice the differences.

Thanks, I guess not much can be done until I visit the paint shop this weekend. I'll definitely take the paint with me so they have something to work off of.

In my experience, former Sherwin employee and now selling Benjamin Moore, most formulas for conversion varnish are not computerized formulas and color matched manually /visually at SW . What is the product he is using, and like others ask, where was the paint purchased ?

Hmm, I didn't provide a sample so not sure what they went off of. I am meeting the painter at the paint store this weekend and will update you guys then. It's not a conversion varnish - it's polyurethane but I'm not sure the brand or paint store's name. It seems like a great product though, besides the color the sample looks amazing. I am fine if they can't get it to be an exact match to BM Dove White at this point, just need it to look more white than off-white!

Don't fall for a change in light bulb color temperature as a solution: Maria Killam - white cabinets aren't the color I expected

Just to update everyone, I went to the paint shop with my painter and they were able to fix the color for me. It might not be an exact White Dove but I was happy with it. Thank you all for all of your advice!

That's great! I'm sure the cabinets will be beautiful.