We are going for a transitional look and are deciding between BM's White Dove (seems like it is the existing trim color in the foyer and main floor) or Decorator's White (which is in the bedrooms or maybe it's an even whiter white). The painter said we could get away with one coat of Decorator's White over the White Dove but not White (which was two shades up from White Dove). There are a bunch of greys in the other main floor walls/floyer, Shale, Beacon Grey, Bunny Grey, Athena and Collingwood. Possible accents would be an orange in the dining room, Dahlia, Green 458 or some spa-like blues. I actually like a French Blue but the color consultant hadn't put that in. The coffered ceiling will have Stormy Skies? in the boxes. The upstairs rooms are in a light pink, Blue Sky, different whites and a Grey Tint and a room and sitting room with a hint of lavender. Do you think Decorator White will look good or will it be too harsh? Would it work for a transitional look? Would you push for White? Our kitchen designer recommended Superwhite for the cabinets and said we could do any color trim for the rest of the rooms (open floor plan) and it would be fine. Also, would you do the trim in a Semi-gloss? The painter seemed hesitant and thought the existing one was Satin and we should stick to it. The colorist thought we should do a semi-gloss. We have a 1999 house so I can't imaging that the trim has that many imperfections. Thank you very much!

Would you do simply white walls with super white ceilings and trim? Won’t the contrast make the walls look yellow? I would in a heartbeat. It's a very pretty combination. There's enough difference in Chroma that one won't make the other look dirty/dingy. But, yes, Simply White is more colorful, has more Chroma than Super White and it is yellower. The contrast of hue between the two could result in Simply White looking like a very pale creamy off-white. Considering the floor, I'd go with a little more color on the walls. Shoji White, Greek Villa kind of pale, subtle greige-y vibe.

thank you so much for your response! The floors are quarter sawn white oak that will be stained a warm med tone walnut color. nothing too dark. I did realize when i posted this that my cabinets will touch the ceiling so I decided to go with the same white throughout most of the house on the ceilings, Decorators White. On the top floor, which is our master bedroom suite I think I'm going to use the Chantilly lace. It's a bit darker up there and I'm trying to make it as bright as possible. Thats the color of our vanity in the masterbath, so I may just do all the trim and ceilings that color. That floor is a clean break from all the other walls and trim, so it won't look like a mistake! Truthfully the place was a mess before renovation (we bought it that way) so I really just want everything clean and white!! I may end up doing what you suggested with the walls...still wishing for white, but don't I can steer away from the Decorators white without making the cabinets look dingy.

OK I will tell you that until you know what your countertops will be, picking color for your cabinets is going to be very tricky. As to BM Simply White for trim, that is in the Yellow Hue family, and it has a Chroma of .5 which means it has very little color in it; and it has an LRV (light reflective value) of 90. 100 is highest reflective number so that will reflect a lot of light. Nice for trim, and I like "satin" for the finish. Now for wall color. BM White Dove has a Chroma of .58 and an LRV of 83. We like more separation of Chroma (at least .20) and this is way too close. I don't think that will work. So you are in a tricky spot not knowing some key variables such as countertop colors. I think if you want light colors, I would do either of these two colors, but use different "finishes". It will vary from room to room due to light conditions. Since your carpet is tan, and your flooring is dark brown, I think I would lean toward the BM White Dove since it has a bit more warmth to it than Simply White. SW Alabaster has nice lightness and many have used it for both trim and walls, etc. Use Satin finish for your trim, flat or matte for walls and ceiling.