What is the LRV of Chantilly Lace?

90.04 out of 100, which makes it Benjamin Moore's whitest white. That is an extremely stark reading: it reflects nearly all the light that hits it, so in direct sunlight it can be genuinely hard to look at.

Why can a very white paint pick up the colors of a room?

Because it reflects almost everything. A wall painted at that light reflectance bounces back the colors around it, so a red couch will push pink tones onto the walls. The whiter the paint, the more it behaves like a mirror for whatever is in front of it.

Does Chantilly Lace have undertones?

Barely any, and that is precisely the problem rather than the selling point. The lack of an identifiable undertone is part of what makes the LRV so high, and it is also what leaves the color with nothing to soften or ground it.

How should I test a white paint color?

With a real sample, in the actual room, across the day. Account for which way the surfaces face, how much of the light is natural versus artificial, and what fixed features and furniture are in the space. With whites especially, a sample under every lighting condition is the only reliable way to decide.

Is Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace a Good White Paint?

Is Chantilly Lace a Good White Paint Color

When considering the wide array of whites that are offered by top paint companies, Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace OC-65 has topped many a list and blog. Controversial as it may be, we will go through the distinct attributes of this color and why it is probably the last one you should paint on your home. There are other suggestions below with explanations as to why the hues will function much better for you than Chantilly Lace.

Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65 paint color swatch

Chantilly Lace High Light Reflectance Value

To begin, Chantilly Lace is Benjamin Moore’s whitest white. Initially this sounds perfect for achieving that crisp, bright white that many search for. However, if we look at the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of this hue we learn that it sits at 90.04 out of 100. That is an extremely stark white and it reflects nearly all the light that hits it. In direct sunlight it is sure to be an eyesore, even blinding. If you were to paint the inside of your living room with Chantilly Lace it would even reflect the colors of your furniture. So if you happen to have a red couch, for example, the room would pick up those pink tones.

Chantilly Lace Undertones

Chantilly Lace’s high LRV is partly due to the fact that it lacks easily identifiable undertones. That makes it quite unpredictable and there is a higher probability for Chantilly Lace to be sterile and cold. Most people want the color they see on the swatch to appear as true as possible. With the nature of Chantilly Lace, it is quite impossible for that to happen. Don’t shy away from the idea of having touches of yellow, green, or blue in your white undertones. The undertones are key to getting to a white that is balanced and will read true to your unique environment.

A bright white painted interior showing high light reflectance

Sherwin Williams Snowbound

Preferred White Paint Colors

Whites that fare much better in direct sunlight indoors or outdoors include cool-toned Snowbound and Eider White from Sherwin William’s. Similarly, Benjamin Moore offers Oxford White and Paper White for similar blue-based whites.

The blue undertones in the white will help to achieve that fresh white color with a modern feel. If you want to opt for a timeless warm toned white, Sherwin Williams’ Dover White and Creamy will be better suited for the project. For Benjamin Moore, consider Mountain Peak White and Dove Wing. The addition of a bit of yellow goes a long way to make a home feel inviting and warm instead of clinical when it comes to the perfect hue of white.

A softer white paint color shown alongside Chantilly Lace

Benjamin Moore Mountain Peak

Your Home Environment

Taking into account the current hue of your home will drastically change the amount of time you invest into your paint project. If your paint colors currently have pigment to them or are on the darker side, you will have to invest much more labor and much more paint to achieve full coverage with a color like Chantilly Lace. To make painting effortless, opt for a hue that has an undertone that can stand up to what’s on your home now. If your project is starting with a warm tone color, use Sherwin Williams’ Ice Cube or Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Milkshake to assist in the transition. On the other hand if your project is beginning with a cooler tone, you can combat this by choosing whites like Benjamin Moore’s Moonlight White, Cloud White, or Sherwin’s Alabaster.

Conclusion

To recap, Chantilly Lace’s LRV, unrecognizable undertones, and light coverage makes it a very difficult color to work with. The environment drastically changes the look and feel of any color. That’s why it is imperative to take into account the direction your surfaces face, the amount of natural versus artificial light, and the fixed features or furniture and decor that will be in the space. Especially with whites, having a true paint sample to consider under all lighting conditions is the only way to make a well thought-out decision.

For whites that behave better on a wall, see our guide to the best Sherwin Williams white paint colors or the best whites for trim. If you would like a second opinion, book a color consultation or get in touch.