How to choose the right white for your next project

Have you ever noticed that Chalk Paint™ comes in several beautiful shades of white: Old White, Rococo, Original, and Pure?

At first glance they may look similar, but each one has its own unique character and purpose. White is the foundation of every painter’s toolkit. It’s the shade that allows you to lighten colours, create soft tints and achieve endless new blends.

The trick is knowing which white works best: crisp whites pair perfectly with bright, modern hues, while warmer, parchment-toned whites bring out the richness of natural and earthy colours. But white isn’t just for mixing. It’s a timeless, elegant colour all on its own. In this guide, we dive into the world of white paint helping you discover which shade of white is right for your next project.

The history of white

White paint is something most of us take for granted. There have always been white pigments, but until the last century they were translucent and didn’t cover well. There was ‘lead white’, difficult to use, and ‘whitewash’, which offered the bonus of acting as a disinfectant. A later oil-based version offered a longer-lasting finish, but it yellowed quickly. Titanium dioxide was discovered in 1821, but difficulty of extraction meant it took a century for a viable commercial process to be developed. It’s this titanium white pigment that allows for the pure, opaque whites we have today.

Living with whites

White is beautiful and eternally versatile but with such a huge variety of whites available, choosing the right shade can feel overwhelming. Whites tend to boil down to pure, cool and warm options, each one creating a distinctive look and feel.

Pure whites are bright and clear with no other colour; cool whites are somewhat greyed, flatter and quieter; and warm whites have the tiniest hint of yellow or pink.

If you have a bright and well-lit room, pure white can bring a crisp elegance, south-facing rooms work well with the grey undertones of cool whites and warm whites reflect light, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere in darker, north-facing rooms.

Pure

For a fresh modern mix

Perfect for a modern look and for combining with brights, Chalk Paint in Pure is the cleanest and freshest of the whites. It is neither warm nor cold and is the only white with no additional colour in it.

Old White

For a soft pastel mix

Perfect for a calming haven, Chalk Paint in Old White pairs beautifully with slightly subdued, traditional colours. It’s greyed, slightly faded appearance has an antique quality to it which works with everything. You can even use it to lighten any of the other Chalk Paint colours and create the exact tone for your room.

Rococo White

A pretty romantic neutral

Chalk Paint in Rococo White is the softest white with a touch of Antionette to give it just a hint of pink. It is a colour reminiscent of the softest pink of the inside of a shell – delicate and pretty. Rococo White has a frivolity and lightness about it which works well with gold or pastel colours like Louis Blue and Duck Egg Blue.

Original

For a warm mix

A must for adding a subtle warmth to white, Chalk Paint in Original brings a special harmony to vintage-style interiors. It is slightly yellowed like an oil paint tinged with age. It is a creamy traditional colour which is a good choice in north facing rooms to bring some warmth and cosiness.

Which white Chalk Paint have you tried?