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BM Decorator's White on walls - What Color trim??

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  1. 02-21-12, 01:46 PM #1
    Derrick111
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    BM Decorator's White on walls - What Color trim??

    Hi, I decided on Benjamen Moor's Decorator's White for my walls and love it! I did this (admittedly) based on the Pottery Barn catalogs and paint swatches they have. I however, am having trouble figuring out what color white to use on the trim... Help!

    Any rules to go by in making the proper choice trim color to go with my Decorator's White walls? What would the decorators/pros do?

    Thanks!!
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  2. 02-21-12, 02:01 PM #2
    marksr
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    I'm not all that familiar with BM colors but you need to have some contrast [or paint the woodwork the same color with higher sheen] If the wall color is too light for white trim, consider painting the woodwork a darker color.
    retired painter/contractor avid DIYer
  3. 02-21-12, 02:13 PM #3
    Derrick111
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    Thanks but I would like to keep the trim white as well. I have a cape cod house that fit's in with the Pottery Barn style. I'm going for classic and perhaps somewhat timeless for style. The BM Decorator's White is in my opinion a bit more "fresh" looking then the antique white typically found in these homes. In some light it shows a slight blueish tone, in other light, a warmer tone. I tried a tester of BM Simply White on the trim but not sure what to think. What do the decorators/pros do to pick a color white to go with white chosen for the walls? Do they keep the color the same, go brighter, go warmer tones, colder tones, etc? I know there is probably no set method, but how did Pottery Barn pick the trim color to go with their BM Decorator's white picture in their catalog? I want to make the sophisticated, tasteful choice. You've got me wondering if using the same color/different sheen is the way to go, but maybe the trim won't show?

    Last edited by Derrick111; 02-21-12 at 02:35 PM.
  4. 02-21-12, 02:43 PM #4
    marksr
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    If that's the decorator white on the walls in the pic, another white probably wouldn't look all that good on the trim. You could get the decorator white in a gloss and paint the trim with it.

    There really isn't any set rule for color combinations. Normally the woodwork is the same color thru out the entire house [or floor] but mostly it's based on personal preference. Usually when the woodwork is white, the walls are darker although I've painted a few where the woodwork color was darker - with the right color combinations it does look nice. You might buy a quart of enamel and paint the woodwork on one wall to see if you like it....... if it turns out not to suit your fancy, change it
    retired painter/contractor avid DIYer
  5. 02-22-12, 04:45 PM #5
    mitch17
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    If you want both white, I think the same color in a higher gloss sheen would be the way to go. This is the same thing Mark said in his second sentence in post # 4.
  6. 02-22-12, 07:10 PM #6
    Derrick111
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    Hmm... I can't get a tester in a sheen other then flat, but I guess I could get a gallon and just use that to paint the bathroom if I don't like it for the trim. I really appreciate the suggestion from both of you. Thanks! I'm going to try it.
  7. 02-23-12, 03:57 AM #7
    marksr
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    While the sample pints only come in flat [and aren't a durable finish] you should be able to get 3 or more sheens of enamel in quarts. Do you know what type of enamel is currently on the woodwork? Latex doesn't work well over oil base enamel. Is My Paint Latex Or Oil?
    retired painter/contractor avid DIYer
  8. 02-23-12, 10:40 AM #8
    Derrick111
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    Well, it is most likely semigloss.
  9. 02-23-12, 04:08 PM #9
    marksr
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    Yes, but there is a big difference between oil base and latex!
    retired painter/contractor avid DIYer
  10. 02-23-12, 08:19 PM #10
    Derrick111
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    Oh yea, it's Latex paint.
  11. 02-28-12, 01:22 PM #11
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    mci772
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    White and white? I'm trying to visually picture this but I would go with a darker white trim
  12. 02-28-12, 01:39 PM #12
    Derrick111
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    See picture in post #3 ;-)
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