Amongst all the white paint colors, there’s one that remains a constant classic and top choice for many designers, and that’s Benjamin Moore White Dove. It’s a beautiful white that has subtle undertones depending on the light, but it always looks clean, elegant, and timeless. Read on to learn everything there is to know about this popular paint color.
Color Family
White Dove OC-17 is also known as White Dove PM-19 just so there is no confusion. Those letters and numbers indicate the collection that a particular color belongs to. In the case of White Dove, it belongs to two Benjamin Moore collections: The Off-White Collection and The Premium Mix Collection.
The LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of White Dove is 85.38. This puts it in the white range, but it’s definitely not as bright as other white paint colors. You’ll find that is a very soft white.
What Does LRV Mean?
LRV or Light Reflectance Value is a measure of how much light is reflected by a surface. It’s measured on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 is pure black and 100 is bright white. The higher the LRV, the more light is reflected. Keep in mind that the LRV of a surface can also be affected by texture and finish. For example, a glossy surface will have a higher LRV than a matte surface. That’s why semi-gloss trim will appear brighter than a wall painted the same color but in a flat finish.
White Dove Undertones
White Dove has subtle yellow and gray undertones. They balance each other and the result is a very soft warm white. The yellow undertones are in no way overpowering and I wouldn’t consider White Dove to be creamy. In rooms with a lot of south-facing light, White Dove will lean towards being a warm white with grey undertones. In north-facing rooms, the natural light is on the cool side, which tends to make colors appear a little cooler. But the subtle warmth of White Dove is just enough to counteract that. So it never looks too cool.
Where to Use White Dove
White Dove is an incredibly versatile color, which is one of the reasons why it continues to be such a popular choice for both homeowners and designers alike. It can pretty much be used anywhere in your home! This includes walls, ceilings, trim, doors, kitchen cabinets, and other millwork.
Can White Dove be Used on a Home’s Exterior?
White Dove is an excellent exterior choice as well. We used it on the exterior of a remodel project, and it looked amazing. We painted the brick, fiber cement siding, and all of the soffits and trim in White Dove. It has just the right amount of warm and gray undertones so that it doesn’t look too bright on sunny days or too cool in the evenings.
However, if you are wanting an exterior paint color with a lot of warmth, White Dove is not the right choice. For this, I would recommend Sherwin Williams White Duck. We used this color on our own home’s exterior. We wanted a white that would compliment the natural wood elements that we used for window headers and porch posts.
What Color Trim is Best with White Dove?
We are big fans of using the same color on both walls and trim – flat on the walls, and semi-gloss on the trim, doors, and any millwork. But some people prefer a little contrast between walls and trim. If this is you, here are some white trim colors you could pair with White Dove walls.
Here’s how Benjamin Moore describes these four white paint colors:
Chantilly Lace: A classic go-to white that elicits images of fresh cotton and pure silk.
Super White: A radiant, slightly cool shade of white that suggests clarity and simplicity.
Oxford White: A classic bright white with the slightest cool cast.
Decorator’s White: A touch of cool gray gives this go-to white sleek, stylish appeal.
What Sherwin Williams Color Matches White Dove?
If you’re looking for a paint color that closely matches White Dove, Sherwin Williams Creamy is a great option. Like Benjamin Moore’s White Dove, Creamy has a hint of yellow in it, giving it a warm overall tone. However, while White Dove is a little bit lighter in color, Creamy is slightly darker. But both colors are beautiful choices for creating a warm and inviting space.
We used Creamy on the interior walls, ceiling, trim, and doors in our farmhouse.
Can White Dove Appear Too Creamy or Yellow?
It’s a common question we get asked: “Does Benjamin Moore White Dove look too yellow?” The short answer is: No, not at all. Even though White Dove does have yellow undertones as mentioned above, it also has enough gray to tone it down. White Dove is a beautiful, classic white paint color that can work well in a variety of spaces. If you’re still worried about it looking too yellow, try painting a test swatch first to see how it looks in your space. You may just find that White Dove is the perfect paint color for you!
Pairing With Woods and Finishes
Whether you’re going for a more traditional look or something more modern, White Dove always pairs well with most wood tones and finishes. If you’re looking to add contrast, pair White Dove with dark-stained woods or black accents. If you want to keep things light and airy, pair it with natural woods or lighter metals like brass or gold.
Sample Before You Paint
Before you invest money in gallons of paint, it’s extremely important that you sample several paint color options first. You can do it the old-fashioned way, which is time-consuming and messy. Or you can use Samplize to order large peel-and-stick paint samples with accurate color representation.
Final Thoughts
There you have it – everything you need to know about Benjamin Moore White Dove! This beautiful white paint color is perfect for those who want something classic yet timeless in their home. It’s also incredibly versatile, so it can be used in any room in your house. And because it has different undertones depending on the light, it always looks perfect no matter what time of day it is. If you’re looking for a versatile white paint color for your home, definitely consider giving Benjamin Moore White Dove a try!
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