Benjamin Moore Ballet White Review & Inspiration
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What We Love About Ballet White OC-9
Ballet White is an off-white shade with complex, nuanced undertones that include cream and greige. Its creamy warmth reminds us of once-white paint you’d find in an old farmhouse; a pure white that has aged for decades to become a perfectly lived-in shade of palest ecru. The name Ballet White evokes the softness of a Degas painting; imagine white ballet tights cast in the warm glow of footlights on a stage. Part of the Off-White Collection, Ballet White is a neutral that adds depth to new construction, and blends beautifully with the architecture of older homes. We love it for walls, trim, and kitchen cabinets; especially in spaces with lots of natural light.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White’s Undertones
Ballet White has its roots in the palest creamy-yellow; however, this sophisticated shade has strong neutral and greige undertones too. It’s rich and creamy, but that touch of greige prevents it from taking on the yellow cast that can sometimes occur with shades of cream. This complex white shade is softer than Chantilly Lace and Cloud White, but it’s still a neutral off-white.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White vs. White Dove vs. Chantilly Lace
An interior designers favorite, and one of the most popular “dirty white” colors, Ballet White is versatile yet reliable; it stays neutral when combined with other interior paint colors. In a bright South-facing room it will appear warmer, while in darker spaces or cold climates the greige undertones will be more apparent. If you have an upcoming painting project where you plan to use a cream color, Ballet White should definitely be on your short list of white paint colors.
The Best Places to Use Ballet White At Home
Since Ballet White is a true off-white, it’s the perfect wall color when you want to create a soft, but distinct, contrast against white trim. Combine it with Benjamin Moore White Dove for a rich, white-on-white effect that opens up a living room and makes dining room woodwork pop.
Wall and ceiling in an office painted in Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9 paired with cabinets painted in Benjamin Moore Simply White OC-117
With its reliably neutral look, Ballet White works well as a soft white wall paint with bright accent colors like apple green, indigo, and coral. It adds sophistication to hallways, stairwells and kitchen cabinetry. The richness and warmth of Ballet White make it an ideal backdrop for eclectic spaces, bringing exotic textiles, leather chairs, and modern art to life.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White modern living room with Hale Navy accent
Bedroom with Benjamin Moore Ballet White walls
Ballet White appears even lighter in natural daylight, so it’s an excellent exterior paint choice for walls and trim. Since it’s not a pure bright white, it looks as if it’s always been there, giving the home an immediate sense of permanence. Use Ballet White for siding and trim on traditional architecture, or contrast it with deep colors like Kendall Charcoal and Hale Navy to update a craftsman home.
Hogan Valley Home exterior in Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9 with trim in Benjamin Moore Sea Salt CSP-95
Trim and ceilings in Benjamin Moore OC-9 Ballet White pop against a creamy wall in Mascarpone AF-20.
Other Benjamin Moore Paint Colors You May Like
What Colors Go Best with Ballet White?
Ballet White’s warm tones make it versatile enough to use as an all-over neutral wall color, or as a trim color with an earthy, exotic color palette and dark wood floors.
Benjamin Moore Ballet White Color Palette
Other Similar Colors
Off-white paint colors have subtle differences in undertone that are affected by lighting conditions, so it’s important to sample a range of shades in your home before making a final decision. Ballet White is quite neutral; if you want a cream color that’s a bit richer, try Benjamin Moore’s Linen White or Swiss Coffee for their gold undertones.
Living room in Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
For deeper off-white color on the walls, consider Pale Oak for its hint of taupe, or keep it cool with the palest gray undertones of Benjamin Moore’s Moonshine.
Buy a Ballet White Benjamin Moore Paint Sample
Off-white paint colors are susceptible to shifts in undertone that could make them appear cooler or warmer depending on the lighting conditions and time of day. We recommend testing a sample of Ballet White and any other options you’re considering before deciding on your final choice.
One of our designers’ favorite tips for an easy way to test paint swatches on multiple walls in your house, is to paint a large poster board using a Benjamin Moore Paint Color Sample and move it around the room to observe how the white looks on different walls and in different lighting conditions.
Once you’ve settled on your color choice and are ready to order from our paint store, come back here and check our Interior Paint Guide to help you find the right sheen and product for your home!