Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace stands out in white paints as a bright, clean option without yellow, blue, or gray undertones.
But before picking this paint based on its widespread use in homes, it’s important to know that it doesn’t work in every space.
What makes this color special is its pure white quality – it’s neither warm nor cool but sits right in the middle.
When used correctly, Chantilly Lace creates a fresh, bright look. However, its success in your space depends greatly on your lighting and existing home features.
Light Reflectance Value for Chantilly Lace
Chantilly lace LRV is 92, among the brightest paint options available. This high number tells us that this paint reflects 92% of the light that hits it, making it an excellent choice for brightening spaces.
What This Means In Your Space:
- Creates very bright walls
- Shows true white in most lighting conditions
- It might appear too bright in rooms with strong natural light
- Works well to open up smaller or darker spaces
When considering Chantilly Lace’s high LRV, this intense brightness might need to be balanced with other elements in your room to create a comfortable living space.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) helps us understand how much light a paint color reflects.
The LRV Scale:
- Runs from 0 (pure black) to 100 (pure white)
- Higher numbers mean more light reflection
- Lower numbers mean more light absorption
Why LRV Matters:
- It affects how bright a room feels
- Influences the appearance of room size
- Changes how the color looks at different times of day
- It helps determine if a color will work in your space
Tips for Using Chantilly Lace Based on LRV
1. Lighting Considerations
- Best in rooms with moderate natural light
- Use carefully in south-facing rooms with lots of sunlight
- Works well in north-facing rooms that need brightening
- Perfect for spaces with limited window light
2. Pairing With Other Elements
- Match with solid-colored countertops in kitchens
- Works well with gray, blue, green, or black fixed features
- Be careful with cream or beige elements – it might make them look dated
- Consider the color of your flooring, as it will reflect on the walls
3. Common Mistakes to Skip
- Not testing the paint with existing fixtures
- Forgetting about outside greenery that might reflect on walls
- Using in rooms that already have too much brightness
- Not considering the reflection from floor tiles
4. Special Note on Natural Light Effects
- Morning light brings out the purest white tones
- Evening light may soften the brightness
- Trees outside windows can create green reflections
- Nearby buildings might affect how the color appears
How Chantilly Lace works in different rooms when matched with the right colors and decor…
Kitchens
- Why It Works: A kitchen with limited natural light can feel small and dark. Chantilly Lace adds brightness, making your space feel bigger and more welcoming.
- Cabinet Pairings: For a fresh look, I suggest pairing Chantilly Lace with light wood or neutral cabinets. You might also consider adding dark lower cabinets in deep blue or charcoal to create balance.
- Countertops and Backsplashes: I recommend white marble or light quartz countertops with gentle veining. The walls look great with white wall tiles that help reflect light and brighten your space.
- Accents and Lighting: Brass, gold, or black fixtures add warmth. Consider bright lights, like recessed spots or under-cabinet lighting, to maximize Chantilly Lace’s bright qualities.
Bathrooms
- Why It Works: Bathrooms, especially those without windows, can feel tight and dark. Chantilly Lace opens up these spaces, making them feel clean and bright.
- Tile Options: Put Chantilly Lace on the walls and match it with white or soft gray tiles in your shower. To add depth, I suggest light marble or gray stone for floors and counters.
- Accents and Fixtures: In my experience, black, brushed nickel, or gold accessories for towel holders, faucets, and mirrors look striking against the white walls. A round gold or black-framed mirror fits well with Chantilly Lace.
- Color Additions: Add soft blues or greens through towels, rugs, or plants. These colors blend nicely with Chantilly Lace, making the space more relaxing.
Living Rooms
- Why It Works: I love how Chantilly Lace’s bright background lets other design pieces stand out. It brings light to your space and works well even in small rooms.
- Furniture Matches: I suggest pairing these white walls with furniture in soft grays, beige, or light woods. For balance, try adding darker pieces like deep blue chairs, which look great against the bright walls while keeping the space comfortable.
- Fabrics and Rugs: To add comfort and interest, I recommend soft, textured items like cotton, linen, and velvet pillows in grays, light blues, or warm browns.
- Decorations and Art: Consider hanging art in soft or bright colors to show your style while keeping the room’s light feel. I find that wood pieces, like natural tables, shelves, or frames, add warmth while keeping a fresh look.
- Light Planning: Use natural light when you can. To keep your space bright, I suggest adding warm lights, like gold light fixtures, or placing lamps with white or neutral covers.
Chantilly Lace vs Other Off-Whites
| Off-White Color | LRV (Light Reflectance Value) | Description | How Subtle LRV Differences Influence Look | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chantilly Lace | 92 | A clean, bright, true off-white with no undertones | With an LRV of 92, Chantilly Lace reflects significant light, making spaces appear larger and more open. | It is ideal for small or dark spaces that need lighting, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. |
| Super White | 93 | A slightly softer off-white, but still a true white | Super White’s slightly higher LRV (93) makes it marginally brighter than Chantilly Lace. It can create a more intense, stark look. | Best for modern or minimalist designs, large rooms, or spaces with abundant natural light. |
| Oxford White | 84 | A softer off-white with a subtle warmth | Oxford White’s lower LRV (84) gives it a gentler, more muted feel than Chantilly Lace. It absorbs more light, making it ideal for cozy environments. | Great for larger rooms, bedrooms, or dining rooms where a softer, warmer atmosphere is desired. |
| High Reflective White | 93 | A cool off-white with a crisp, stark look | Like Super White, High Reflective White reflects more light and can create an ultra-bright, clean look. It’s cooler than Chantilly Lace, with subtle blue undertones. | Perfect for contemporary spaces, offices, or high-contrast designs, especially when paired with dark accents. |
Summing Up
When choosing Chantilly Lace for your home, remember its key features: it is a true white with no undertones and a high LRV of 92.
This paint works beautifully in many spaces, but its success depends on your situation.
Considering your lighting, fixed features, and decor, I recommend testing Chantilly Lace in your space.
Pay special attention to reflections from outside elements and nearby colors.
With proper testing and careful consideration of your room’s conditions, Chantilly Lace can create a bright, fresh look in your home.