Paint

No doubt about it.  White is one of the hardest colors to choose.

That's because white is highly reflective and what surrounds it can impact how it looks.  So can the time of day, the time of year, and the lighting.

And then there's this:  white isn't a single color but a range of shades with a variety of undertones.  Benjamin Moore has over 150 shades of white!

So how do you find a "neutral" white, one that has a nice balance of warm and cool tones without being slightly pinkish, yellowish, bluish, or greenish?

Gray continues to be the most popular color in homes, but the cooler tones are waning in popularity as being a bit too sterile, while the warmer tones are gaining favor.

These are hues that blend earth tones with gray to create an inviting neutral that works well in any space.

Not just the title of a racy novel, 50 (or more) shades of gray – from the palest silver to the darkest charcoal - have been popular over the last several years. 

But finding just the right shade can be a challenge because the undertones can make grays cool or warm, and a color that looks gray on a paint chip can be tinged with purple or blue when applied to a wall.  Too, natural light influences how a shade looks.