Want to know the perfect white paint colors? The white paint colors I specify the most for my projects? I tell all here. Let me assure you, this is good information you want to have. Enjoy!

I grew up with a mother that loved Accent Walls. When I say "Accent Wall", I am referring to a room where only one wall is painted a color- and the other walls are left white. I'm not sure if it was the trendy thing to do back then or if she was just afraid of using color in a more liberal fashion. Usually the wall to be painted was the wall with a focal point- the fireplace wall or the wall with the bed. She was always concerned with making our home lovely, which I give her credit for, but I grew to detest Accent Walls. Even at a young age, my aesthetic intuition made me feel that it was just not enough, it was unfinished.

Now that I'm an interior designer (and, looking back to childhood...there really is no question that an interior designer is what I am in my bones!), still find accent walls at that first site meeting or initial consultation! Once I get to the root of the preference, I find its usually due to fear of color and what that color might do to a room (the biggest worry is that it will be "dark" or "make the room look smaller"). I will say that Accent Walls have their place. Contemporary, modern and eclectic interiors lend themselves very nicely to the concept of accent wall color.

While I am still not a huge fan, here are some tips for executing a room with an Accent Wall, (should you choose to do one yourself):

-No matter the space, accent walls are best achieved where all the walls are painted a light or medium neutral color and the accent wall is painted a darker color that relates to the neutral or a bold color that contrasts with the neutral. Don't leave the other walls white.

-You have to be sure that every other element in your room coordinates (but isn't "matchy-matchy"!) and carries out the accent colors hue and value. If there is no thought of coordination and balance of color throughout the room, your accent wall will look like floating, unrelated color. Think about coordinating pillows, upholstery fabric and drapery.

-Think about putting a flower arrangement in your accent color somewhere else in the room. I like the spriggy florals that are out right now- lots of little blooms on long stems that arc softly downward. Stay away from expected arrangements that can look dated. If you are using a neutral or earthy color, do a stick or grass arrangement. Flowers and natural grasses are a great way to mix that accent color around.

Check out my blog post about paint brands I personally use and specify for my clients here.