The many faces of white
Q. We have tried several warm whites on our walls; however, we have fir floors that have a strong orange color with a touch of yellow. The orange casts off onto the walls, so the warm whites and off whites we have tried either turn orange or pink. Light changes in every room. We are hoping to get away from the yellows and prefer to stay on the lighter side. Could you recommend a warm white that is not too yellow and not too dark or dense? Thank you. – Wendy
A. Color theory is a complicated business. We do not all see and react to colors the same way, so there is the personal factor to take into consideration. External factors such as natural and artificial light that changes throughout the day and evening affect colors. White walls are particularly prone to outside influences. As you have experienced, the yellow/orange hues that radiate from your wood floor bounce off your white walls, which now reflect that wood color. There are some basic rules that do help us make choices, then experimenting with different shades of white will tell the tale.
The level of sheen in paint makes a big difference. High sheen has a high reflective quality. High sheen acts like a mirror, so that light and other colors are reflected back into the room. Since you are trying to avoid this, your best bet is a paint that has either no sheen or a very small amount. Try a matte or flat finish.
Texture will break up the reflective quality as well. Consider adding a textured wall surface; it can be two or three whites painted over each other in random patches, each white tinted with either a touch of brown, gray or khaki. This will create a whitewash effect, and again use paint with a matte or satin finish.
The impact the floor color has on your walls will be diminished when furniture and an area rug are in place. Choose colors for your furnishings that will complement the floors but won’t highlight the yellow/orange hues. Blues and grays work well in any combination of patterns or solid tones.
Your white walls are the perfect backdrop for any form of artwork. (It’s the go-to color for art galleries.) Posters, paintings and collages, framed or unframed, allow you to give each room your personal stamp, building character and interest, and taking away from that all-white look.
Different shades and tones of white combine to add energy to an all-white room. Seen here is a family room that I transformed from a dark paneled den for a young couple with kids. The mom’s dream was to have all white, but she was concerned that it wasn’t a smart choice with young children. As it turned out, everyone was happy. A light umber glaze was rubbed over the textured white plaster on the brick fireplace and adjoining wall. Dark wood panels were painted white with light-gray paint strokes. The beamed ceiling was painted a flat white. White sheers at the window take on a bluish quality behind the soft blue tones of the sofa. Funky white tables contribute a kid-friendly quality. The dark wood floor grounds this light and airy room where all the whites join together to produce a harmonious whole.
You will find that these decorating ideas will make a big impact on your rooms. Try white with a gray tint on one wall, move in the furniture and see how it looks.
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