The New Bobby Berk Office: How We Selected The Perfect White Paint
When it came to designing our new office, no detail (big or small) would go unnoticed – including picking a white paint that would work perfectly throughout the space. And after numerous swatches (and plenty of samples), we’re sharing exactly how we decided on the shade that would suit the space – and our foolproof tips for choosing paint for any room.
So how exactly did we choose a shade? All will be revealed! Keep scrolling to see the whole process behind finding the perfect white paint (and shop the shade too). And be sure to check back next week for all the details and the 3-D renderings of the downstairs bathroom.
In case you missed it, you can see all the details of how this project came to be and our vision for the office in our posts: Our Newest Project: Bobby’s New Office , The Design Details & Mood Boards For Every Room and All The Construction Under Way (And The Progress We’ve Made.
Starting With Samples
As soon as design plans began for the new office, we knew we wanted the entire home to have one consistent and continuous flow – and that meant choosing a single paint color for all the walls. To create a clean and neutral backdrop (that also worked with our organic modern design) that meant only one option: White. And more specifically, a white that was bright and crisp, while also warm and not too clinical.
Working with Sherwin-Williams, we started by selecting 9 shades of white in a variety of tones – some that felt warmer, some cooler, some with grey undertones, and some with more yellow. (It’s always a good idea to select a handful of colors to try out, as they may look totally different in the space itself). So with the shades narrowed down, we grabbed Color To Go quarts and headed to the house to test out all the different tones.
Weighing The Options
With our paint samples selected, now was the time to see the colors in the actual space. We started by painting 12″ x 18″ swatches of all the options in the living room. You definitely want your swatches to be pretty sizeable, so you’re able to see them from across the room. (Also make sure to label each in pencil or with painter’s tape so you don’t get confused!) In addition to the living room, we also painted samples upstairs (on a wall that receives different light than downstairs).
Bobby and the design team then took a few days to review all the samples, coming back at different times of day (and into the evening) to see how the shades might look different as light shifts. There are obviously very subtle differences in shades of white, so seeing them in different light also helps make a more clear distinction. And after some disagreement (Just kidding, we all agreed!) we narrowed down our options to 3 standout shades.
Making The Final Choice
With 3 contenders left, we decided to add a few more samples in other spaces of the house (just to get a clear idea of how it will look throughout). We also compared the shades to other materials – flooring, tile, and lighting – that would play into the overall feel of each room. With a process of elimination, we first nixed White Snow. We really liked this color overall, but it just felt a little too warm (with an ever so slight yellow cast) for space. Next, we eliminated Clean Slate for being too cool- and inconsistent. In some rooms it read a bright white, it other’s a grayer tone.
So that left us with one shade that proved to be our fave – Snowbelt. We loved that it looked crisp but still had a touch of warmth, paired perfectly with our flooring, and was a standout in every room. And can’t wait to see it up soon!
Want an even easier way to try out paint? CLICK HERE to get free Sherwin-Williams color chips delivered to your home. And in case you missed it, you can see all the details of how this project came to be and our vision for the office in our posts: Our Newest Project: Bobby’s New Office , The Design Details & Mood Boards For Every Room and All The Construction Under Way (And The Progress We’ve Made.
