2016 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year: Simply White

 

The 2016 Benjamin Moore Color of the Year just came out and {**drum roll**}…., and the paint color is Simply White.

                                                             via Benjamin Moore

 

At the same time Benjamin Moore announced the Color of the Year, they also released their 2016 color trends and forecast:

 

                                                           via Benjamin Moore

 

Ok, I know everyone is like “What”?!  I know those of you who are paint color geeks out there are thinking that the same paint company that introduced us to gorgeous colors in past Colors of the Year like; Breath of Fresh Air and Guilford Green, is now giving us plain old white? Simply White?

 

Hold on and stick with me on this… You know I have analyzed this! 😉

I actually think it was a brilliant choice because Simply White is not just any old white. Trust me, it’s an absolutely stunning white for several reasons. In fact, I have used it many times in my own home and I have featured it a lot on the blog for a very good reason;  1) it’s very rich in depth and a complex white, 2) it’s probably the most versatile white out there and 3) it’s absolutely stunning anywhere you paint it.

Before I go into more reasons, just look at Simply White in action:

 

 

                                                     via Studio McGee

 

 

Walls Simply White and Trim Decorators White Benjamin Moore

 

Simply White Benjamin Moore

via Studio McGee

 

All of the paint company “color analyzers” have been saying that we are slowing moving into yellow (I’m not quite ready for yellow yet).  I personally consider Simply White a transition color (a mix of warm and cool tones) and it does have an ever so slight yellow undertone. So, Benjamin Moore choosing Simply White (with that slight yellow base) as the Color of the Year, is consistent with that prediction of that slow move into yellow.

There is one more thing about Simply White that I think is what really makes the color so versatile and probably the most perfect white out there is that there is also a very slight gray hint in the undertone as well. So the gray is calming or neutralizing the yellow but we still get that warmth.

So in spaces with a lot of natural light, the white will look like a true white without any crazy undertones like this (gray and yellow are balancing each other out):

via Studio McGee

 

but in spaces with artificial light or combination light, Simply White will look more like a very light perfectly balanced warm gray like this:

 

Walls Simply White and Trim Decorators White Benjamin Moore

FYI, Simply White can also lean a slight white/cream in certain darker mixed with artificial lighting situations.  Also, type of paint finish can impact the color as well.

Here are more gorgeous examples of Simply White:

 

 

Island Painted in Willow and Cabinets Painted in Simply White Benjamin Moore

Cabinets Painted in Simply White and Wall Color is Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore

 

Cabinets Painted in Simply White

 

By the way, Simply White is also one of the best trim colors out there because of the balanced undertones. Here a couple of examples

 

Linen White on Walls and Simply White on Trim Benjamin Moore

 

Trim is Painted with Simply White and Walls are Revere Pewter Benjamin Moore

 

Benjamin Moore really went into great detail here about why they picked this color- because it can enhance architecture and colors and Simply White is versatile enough to layer with other whites.I think it’s refreshing that Benjamin Moore went this route- can you imagine the corporate discussions?! Umm, ok ya’ll, we’re going with white…

It’s pretty cool that that Ben Moore picked a color that is one of the most versatile colors out there because it really can enhance design, architectural elements and color. In fact, there is a great reason why crazy talented architects and designers like Shea McGee use this color a lot (just look at her design work here, Simply White is on almost every wall) because it enhances the lines, design work and bones of a home.

If you’re looking to see more of my favorite colors from the recent paint companies 2016 color forecasts, you can get to that post by clicking the image below.

 

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers!

Cyndy