We’re exploring this wildly popular-with-designers white paint color with a discussion of what makes it trustworthy, versatile, and appealing. BM Decorator’s White is a bright white, but not as bright as a pure white and more off-white (with its grey undertones) than Super White and Chantilly Lace. You probably know Benjamin Moore White Dove as the most common white designers reach for, and CC-20 is much cooler. See plenty of inspiring photos of this Benjamin Moore white hue used for trim, window frames and in kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, porches, dining rooms and exteriors.
Benjamin Moore Decorators White CC-20: Right for You?
How Does Benjamin Moore Describe Decorator’s White?
“A touch of cool gray gives this go-to white sleek, stylish appeal.” – Benjamin Moore
Decorator’s White hails from the Designers Classics collection with its LRV of 82.68. Light reflectance value refers to amount of visible and usable light that either reflects from or absorbs into a painted surface. The LRV number represents that percentage of light a paint color reflects. So zero would be an absolute black, and 100 would be pure white. Decorator’s White is also known as PM-3 and OC-149. FIND A SAMPLE HERE.
Is LRV Important to Know?
It is helpful to understand light reflectance value when you’re comparing colors because sometimes it is challenging to distinguish them.

But it’s not just about choosing the right white or the right grey that you like. LRV is also something to consider as you age or if someone in the household has impaired vision like me.

I personally have experienced significant vision loss in recent years due to disease, and the Americans with Disability Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) recommends a 70% light reflectance value or higher if you have a vision impairment.

If you love white paint colors, this is but another reason to cue the confetti…they can do a better job reflecting and lighting the way! Yay!

What Colors Match & Look Similar to BM CC-20?
BM Oxford White (CC-30), BM Raindance (CC-680), BM Chantilly Lace (OC-65), and BM Blue Note (2129-30) are considering matching hues. What Benjamin Moore colors are similar to Decorator’s White? BM White Christmas (872), BM White Diamond (2121-60), and BM Ultra White (CC-10).
Sherwin Williams Extra White with its higher LRV of 86 is also similar to Decorator’s White; however SW Extra White 7006 has blue undertones rather than gray and reflects a little more light. What I personally love about greyed down whites is how they don’t go yellow on you. In a room where sunlight warms the wall color, grey can definitely be your friend more than a white with yellow undertones.

Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White 7007 with its LRV 83 is going to reflect the same amount of light as Decorators White and is a strong contender to try if you prefer a bright white with a blue undertone from SW.
House Exterior With CC-20
If you’re serious about finding the right white for an exterior, see THIS.

A white like this can truly modernize an older home and make all of the foliage pop, don’t you think?

Bathrooms with Decorator’s White
Whether you love modern or vintage style, white just makes sense in a bathroom where it’s critical to be able to see well.

All of the light reflectance works magic, and white is going to work with any number of design schemes and accent colors.
What helps so much when you’re browsing images of the same paint color is you get to see it across a range of artificial lighting conditions.

There’s no substitute though for sampling the color first!

Interior Trim Painted Decorators White
Is it the perfect trim color? Designers and homeowners everywhere give it a huge thumbs up for trim!

Bear in mind that in this particular living room, the walls are Venetian plaster and it’s the TRIM that is Decorator White.

It appears light grey with the lighting conditions in this space below:

Kitchen Cabinets With this White
When you are not afraid to go boldly white in a kitchen, maybe this color is the one.
It certainly isn’t reserved for strictly modern spaces…
and if you’re tired of living with dingy or yellowed colors, a blue or grey-undertoned white may enliven and boost the whole color story.

I love how the designer of this white kitchen used the greyed white paint with a variety of grey tones to create a very serene classic space.

You can see how the sheen from the tiled backsplash contrasts beautifully with the sea of white.

Even without such sheen, a more matte backsplash here provides calm contrast to a divinely designed kitchen.

Decorators White With Black in Kitchens
If you were searching for how this paint color looks with black in a kitchen, you’re definitely in luck!

High contrast was achieved with the black island…

black wine rack (genius!)…

floating shelves…

and pendant lighting. Even in a simpler kitchen design, you can see how pairing this Benjamin Moore white with a deep black can create dramatic interest.

Great Rooms & Living Rooms With This White Paint Color
In a modern equestrian themed staging project, we can appreciate the interplay of cool, warm, modern, rustic and even traditional elements in an exciting great room.

Paneling and shiplap can also be freshened with this hue for a brighter and more youthful feel.

A den like this one could be equally as charming if painted in a deep, moody, warm color, so it’s important to consider when you’ll be using the space.

Dark rooms can feel oppressive if they are mainly used during the day, but if it’s a room primarily for media watching at night? Different story.
Is This White Right for Your Bedroom?
We’re all different, yet most of us long for our bedrooms to be a soothing retreat.

I think that’s why a spa-like white is still quite popular as a bedroom paint color choice.

Waking up to a cheerful, bright, white and light-soaked room can set the right tone in the morning.

And remember, white is not necessarily going to look stark at night when just a little lamplight is on.

In laundry rooms and mud rooms where there is often a lack of natural light, a white backdrop can be everything!
Photos of Sunrooms & Porches With BM Decorator’s White
The trim is this sun-drenched living space is crisp and clean with a warmer white on walls.
And isn’t it dreamy with this richly saturated royal blue upholstery?

I hope these ideas and inspiring glimpses help you decide whether it’s the right shade to sample on your cabinets, doors, windows, or walls! Easiest way to see if a color is right? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door.


Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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I love decorators white, however I just discovered a white that I don’t see talked about. It’s BM. White dune. I just painted my family room in this white and I love it. It doesn’t have alot of the yellow undertones in it like many whites do. It changes color in the lighting too. So pretty
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Interesting, and I’m so glad you chose a white that was the right formula for your particular space rather than a popular one that gets all the hype! Really good reminder you have added to the discussion – thank you. 🙂