Design Spaces Demonstrating the Popularity of "Swiss Coffee" as a Preferred White Hue Among Designers
Selecting the ideal paint color can be a challenging task, and choosing among white options might be more complex than one might initially anticipate. In contrast to popular belief, white paint is rarely simply white; it usually possesses undertones of blue, purple, green, yellow, or pink that significantly impact its appearance. This complexity is further compounded by factors such as room orientation, light exposure, and other finishes in the color scheme.
Nevertheless, there are some recognized favorites on the market that can be likened to the perfect pair of blue jeans – they seem to flatter every home (or rather, every house). One such shade is Benjamin Moore's Swiss Coffee OC-45, described by the brand as an essential white with just the right amount of warmth. This adaptable hue offers a delicate balance between warmth and freshness, creating a frothy effect that pairs seamlessly with traditional decor while imparting an air of timelessness to more modern interiors. Below, we present nine designer examples of Swiss Coffee adorning kitchens, bedrooms, and other spaces, showcasing its versatility.
A Modern Kitchen
Swiss Coffee shines best when combined with various textures and finishes, which can help bring out its inherent warmth and coziness. For instance, designer Shandy Arend of Claire House Design used Swiss Coffee to create a chic, refined kitchen with sandy stone countertops, a planked wood ceiling, and a concrete-style stove hood, all of which accentuated the hue's understated elegance.
A Dramatic Exterior
Beyond being an excellent choice for interiors, Swiss Coffee is also favored for exteriors, particularly for homes facing north. By opting for Swiss Coffee, the home's exterior can maintain a "true" white appearance in cool light, evading the gray or blue undertones that might otherwise arise. On a sleek home, the KLH Custom Homes team paired Swiss Coffee with Sherwin-Williams' Iron Ore for a striking color-blocked exterior design that presented an enchanting blend between storybook cottage and modern manor.
A Charming and Traditional Living Room
When crafting a home with classical roots, the right paint choice can make all the difference between a space that still feels contemporary and one that might better suit grandma's abode. Designer Lauren Robbins brought together traditional and modern elements in a delightful living space, with Swiss Coffee serving as a neutral backdrop for playful fabrics, soft pastels, and intricate details, resulting in a family-friendly room that exuded timeless charm.
A Light-Filled Cook Space
While white kitchens will always remain fashionable, choosing the right white is crucial, as different undertone hues can evoke varying styles. For traditional cabinetry, warm whites like Swiss Coffee pair beautifully, offering a charming contrast to classic profiles like shaker-style cabinetry and sleek stone countertops. In a classic design, Lilly Taylor Interiors combined everyone's favorite white with shaker-style cabinetry and sophisticated stone countertops for a cohesive and timeless kitchen.
A Dimensional Hallway
A well-designed hallway can often feel like the forgotten connection between spaces. By creatively incorporating wallpaper or color-blocking with paint, a mere transitional area can be transformed into a focal point. The duo behind Magical Manor demonstrated this by perfecting a hallway with a dynamic combination of Swiss Coffee and Benjamin Moore's Stone Hearth, creating a subtle yet impactful graphic element.
A Classic Exterior
Few combinations can rival the classic pairing of a white exterior with black shutters, especially for homes with traditional architectural styles. To create a stunning look that's attractive in any season, opt for a white hue that reads well in any light, such as the warm Swiss Coffee paired with an ink-black shade like Sherwin-Williams Tricorn Black or Farrow & Ball Pitch Black. In Virginia, creator Katie Packard added quintessential Southern charm to her home with rich black shutters and a fresh coat of Swiss Coffee on the brick.
A Richly Layered Kitchen
A tranquil and simple backdrop can be essential for bringing unity to a bustling kitchen. In a luxurious kitchen designed by Sarah Birnie Interiors and KLA Interiors, custom cabinets coated in Swiss Coffee served as the perfect warm complement to a richly stained island and striking pendant lights.
A Dynamic Bedroom
An eclectic design style requires a subtle counterpoint to achieve balance, and Swiss Coffee often fits the bill perfectly. In an exuberantly decorated bedroom by Madelaine Mayer of AD:ROIT, the tranquil walls served as a calming backdrop for the vibrant art collection and aggressive patterns.
A Layered Living Room
Swiss Coffee can adapt to its environment, seamlessly blending with warm, cool, or anywhere in between. In a harmonious living room by designer Emily Pueringer, the neutral Swiss Coffee walls integrated with the cozy ambiance effortlessly.
- In the modern kitchen designed by Claire House Design, Swiss Coffee OC-45 was used to create a refined space with sandy stone countertops, a planked wood ceiling, and a concrete-style stove hood, showcasing the hue's understated elegance and warm undertones.
- For homes facing north, the exterior painted with Swiss Coffee maintains a "true" white appearance in cool light, preventing the gray or blue undertones that might otherwise arise, as demonstrated by the KLH Custom Homes team on a sleek home.
- Designer Lauren Robbins crafted a traditional living room with classical roots, using Swiss Coffee as a neutral backdrop for playful fabrics, soft pastels, and intricate details, resulting in a family-friendly room that exuded timeless charm.
