
Whether it’s farmhouse, boho or a modern organic aesthetic that tickles your fancy, all of these design trends are currently sporting a common denominator- white walls. Today, I am reviewing a particular shade of white paint- Swiss Coffee OC-45 by Benjamin Moore.
Chances are… if you have been researching white paints recently, you have probably found yourself overwhelmed in a rabbit hole of swatches. Who knew there could be so many damn shades of white? Seriously though.
To narrow down all of the paint swatch madness, I recommend starting with one simple question…
Are you looking for a white with warm undertones, a white with cool, crisp undertones or a white with no undertones at all (a white-white with no tint whatsoever)?
If you are looking for a creamy, warmer white, you will probably want to go out and buy a sample of Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee OC-45 (and read the rest of this post). If you are looking for a brighter, crisper white, you should check out this paint review I did a few months back.
My personal experience with Swiss Coffee involved a boho chic, spa treatment room I designed for a client about a year ago…
The goal of the space was to achieve a balance of earthy-zen like vibes while maintaining a certain degree of glam and elegance.
Swiss Coffee rocked this balance quite beautifully. The off-white, creamy nature of this particular tint lends a welcoming softness and elegance to the space. And while this particular hue does not reflect natural light as loudly as a true, crisp white would, I think that trait is, in part at least, what keeps the space from feeling too clinical (and more spa).
It is important to note however, that the undertones which lend it’s softness and warmth can read yellow/gold in certain lighting (as shown in the picture below)…
Contrasting against the white-white of the baseboards and Crown Molding, you can see where Swiss Coffee’s golden undertones can become more pronounced at certain times of the day.
To see this hue in a residential setting, I have included one of my favorite designer’s, Studio McGee, recent projects…
In contrast to a bright, crisp white, this off-white paint color exudes more of a softness and coziness..all while still establishing a fresh and classy aesthetic.
As I mentioned, this hue does not reflect the sunlight as much as a true white would, but what it lacks for in brightness, it makes up for in warmth.
In case any of you are considering a warm white for your kitchen cabinets, Studio McGee painted the cabinetry pictured below in Swiss Coffee …
As you can see, the creamy nature of Swiss Coffee becomes more apparent paired with the cooler tones of the marble backsplash and the cool grey of the stove. In my opinion, Swiss Coffee on cabinetry is best suited for a more traditional aesthetic.
If you are looking for a white paint that blends airiness with warmth, Swiss Coffee may be exactly what you have been searching for.
For unedited video footage (taken with my phone) of this paint color, be sure to check out the video I have embedded in this post. It will help you get a better sense of the undertones.
Now get out there and design some good vibes, and please be sure to share on social media or with a friend if you found this helpful (it truly means the world..thank you!)
Donna Mollin
Monday 26th of August 2019
Hi , I have finally decided on Swiss Coffee for most of my new home build. I’m trying to decide between Chantiily lace or White Dove for trim. Both are Benjamin Moore. I see that you suggested White/white, but wondered what you think of the 2 choices i mentioned above.
Designing Vibes
Monday 26th of August 2019
Sounds like your kitchen is going to be gorgeous, Donna. I actually have Chantilly Lace on the walls in my kitchen and love it. It is more of a crisp, bright white but still has a certain warmth about it. However compared to Swiss Coffee, it would probably look more like a white-white. I actually have a detailed review of this color on my blog. Here is the link to it https://designingvibes.com/my-review-of-benjamin-moores-chantilly-lace/
While I have never personally worked with White Dove, it will be warmer/creamier than Chantilly Lace (which is a little crisper). Knowing this, I would assume that Chantilly Lace would probably provide more of a contrast against Swiss Coffee. If at all possible, I suggest getting samples of both and then holding them against the Swiss Coffee walls or sample of Swiss Coffee to see how they play off of each other. Trim color can definitely make or break your wall colors and I have always gone with a white-white for my trim and baseboards.
McKenzie
Monday 26th of August 2019
What color trim did you use in the spa treatment room? Thank you!
Designing Vibes
Monday 26th of August 2019
Hi Mckenzie!We used a white-white (no tint) paint for the trim. I hope this helps!
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life
Tuesday 6th of August 2019
Our home was newly painted from top to bottom in Swiss Coffee when we bought it. I love it, it works for me since I like the warmer tones. Great post.
Designing Vibes
Wednesday 7th of August 2019
That is so awesome, Marty. I am actually envious of you then...I have been craving more warmth on my walls lately too. Transitioning from a cool grey to a warmer white in my house has been a painstakingly slow undertaking. Have a great rest of your week, my friend.