I Painted Every Room in My Home in a Controversial Color — and I’m Loving the End Result

My husband and I recently remodeled our first home. While it was an amazing experience, we quickly learned that the most difficult part of renovating is the countless number of decisions you have to make all at the same time. I’ve always felt confident in my decorating selections, but this time, I was completely and utterly overwhelmed. 

For example, choosing paint colors might sound fun, but it was easily one of the most stressful steps. We knew we wanted white (simple, right?), but if we’ve learned anything from Pantone’s Color of the Year pick for 2026, Cloud Dancer, white can actually be quite the controversial color. And we quickly learned that there are many, many variations of white. So I decided to ask a pro for help.

Robbie Maynard, principal interior designer with Robbie Maynard Interiors in San Diego, encouraged me to determine whether I wanted an “overall cool or warm feeling” when comparing white paint tones. She explains, “A cool white has gray undertones, and a warm white will have a warm undertone color such as gold. Consider the other finishes in the room — if you have white oak floors, they will pair well with a warmer white.”

After narrowing our choices down to four shades, the winner was — undoubtedly — Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace. I made the bold decision to paint every wall in our home this ​color … and I’m so glad I did.

Chantilly Lace is the perfect neutral white, a blank slate that goes with everything and lets my interior design mind thrive. Maynard explains: “Chantilly Lace has a gray undertone, creating a soft overall aesthetic rather than a stark white feel,” which we’ve definitely found to be true. 

Our space ​already receives plenty of ​natural sunlight, but Chantilly Lace enhances this attribute even further. ​It’s totally fresh and undeniably timeless — the ideal backdrop for every colorful season, holiday, and decorating mood. It coordinates with everything, from our subway tile backsplash and kitchen cabinets to the white marble on our fireplace — and creates a stunning contrast with our medium/dark farmhouse-style flooring.

Opting for a fresh, neutral shade for a backdrop never disappoints. Whether your home is cottage-coastal-inspired like mine or exudes a more traditional vibe, Chantilly Lace provides an ideal blank palette for experimenting with accent furniture and decor. It’s the kind of shade that suits many aesthetics.