'It has the power to make a room feel spacious and fresh' – how to decorate with Benjamin Moore's best seller, Chantilly Lace

There aren't many paint shades that practically everyone knows, but when I asked interior designers their thoughts on Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace, it became increasingly clear that this paint was one loved (and used) by many.

Chantilly Lace is one of the best white paints, reminiscent of delicate, ivory-colored lace. Its popularity is not only down to its timelessness, but its versatility; it's one of those shades that brings light and life to any scheme.

Helen Shaw, Director of Marketing (International), Benjamin Moore, describes the paint as, 'a classic go-to white that elicits images of fresh cotton and pure silk. If you’re seeking a minimal or modernist scheme, this color is a great option for all surfaces, adding immediate crispness. It is versatile, timeless, and has the power to make a room feel spacious and fresh.'

One of Benjamin Moore's best white paints, the options are endless with Chantilly Lace. From kitchens to bathrooms, here's how interior designers bring the classic white paint into their projects.

1. To brighten up a breakfast nook

Choosing the best white paint can feel like a mission with so many options to choose from, but interior designer Emily Frank, founder of Frank & Co., has a recent project that will make your choice far easier. Selecting Chantilly Lace for her clients' kitchen and breakfast nook, the paint creates a bright and airy feel that perfectly complements the richer decorative touches.

She says, 'Creating an inviting and functional space for a young family to gather any time of day was the guiding principle for this kitchen renovation project for a Chicago single-family home. We brought together textures and colors that the husband and wife both favored, while accommodating two housebound toddlers during the pandemic.'

Decorating with white might feel obvious, but shades like Chantilly Lace are the perfect backdrop for an array of colors and textures. Emily explains, 'We’re a big proponent of tone on tone for our paint selections. Here we layered Chantilly Lace on the walls, cabinets, and trim to bring an unparalleled level of sophistication and interest.'

2. To offset vintage accents in a bathroom

It's not just kitchens that welcome Chantilly Lace; the uplifting shade brings life to bathrooms, too. Take the traditional bathroom designed by Jenna James. With dark mahogany cabinetry and vintage accents, the timeless white brings a refreshing contrast against these heavier pieces.

Jenna explains, 'I tested several whites before deciding on Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace because it’s a crisp, true white without any yellow undertones. I wanted a soft neutral that would keep the room bright and clean while allowing the moody trim to stand out, so I paired it with Benjamin Moore Heathered Gray. We applied the Chantilly Lace in an eggshell finish for a subtle, elegant sheen.'

There are times you should never paint a room white, for example, if all your decor is already pretty neutral. But Chantilly Lace was just what Jenna's bathroom needed.

She adds, 'To complete the look, I stained our existing cabinets with Minwax Coffee Gel Stain to add warmth and a striking contrast against the white walls. Unlacquered brass and chrome fixtures bring in a mix of metals that feel layered and collected, and they pop beautifully against the crisp backdrop. Together, the rich wood tones, mixed metals, and deep trim create a space that feels fresh, balanced, and inviting while letting the Chantilly Lace truly shine.'

3. To frame kitchen cabinetry

When it comes to kitchen cabinet ideas, there are plenty of color trends to choose from. However, if you're looking for a paint shade that's unlikely to date but still makes your space feel contemporary, Chantilly Lace might be the one for you.

Sarah Brady, Founder and Creative Director of Salt Design Company, chose the white kitchen paint in a recent project. She explains, 'Chantilly Lace is a beautiful white that balances both warm and cool tones. It doesn't read as warm as Benjamin Moore's White Dove or Simply White, and it's not as cool as Decorators White. This color is great for coastal style spaces where you want a true white, and to use with blues, but nothing too stark and cool.'

Chantilly Lace contrasts beautifully with the organic wood textures in the kitchen pictured above. Sarah continues, 'It pairs well with natural woods as it is a crisp, true-white that allows the natural variation of the wood grain to stand out. Unlike cooler whites that may compete with the warm undertones of the wood. The combination creates a timeless contrast: the white brightens and lifts the space while the wood adds warmth, grounding the palette with natural texture.'

4. To give an entryway a spacious feel

Although the question of 'Is white out of style?' has crossed our minds, the timelessness of Chantilly Lace proves that white paint can never really date. In fact, it does quite the opposite; it refreshes architecture and gives a room a spacious, bright quality that's almost always unbeatable.

In the entryway pictured above, Chantilly Lace has been used on the walls of the foyer to give a fresh, welcoming feel. Helen explains, 'Chantilly Lace also plays an excellent supporting role when used on ceilings or woodwork. On ceilings, it will add an airy freshness to the space by bouncing light around, and on woodwork, it harmonizes with a wide range of wall colors, creating a crisp contrast to both warm and cool hues. This color also works particularly well as a trim color to make softer whites like Simply White or White Dove pop.'

Chantilly Lace inspired decor picks

If you'd rather not commit to a whole new paint job, these elegant white decor picks are the perfect way to bring charm and timelessness into your scheme, just like Chantilly Lace.

If you're considering using Chantilly Lace in your home, consider the room's position in relation to light. Helen's advice is, 'Chantilly Lace is a ‘true’ white with minimal undertones. In a south-facing room, it stays crisp and luminous, balancing the warmth of natural light due to its pure nature. However, in north-facing rooms, it can lean slightly cool and blue.'

If you're looking for a shade that'll stand the test of time and complement the architecture of all descriptions, Chantilly Lace is a wise choice. But, as with any paint, always be sure to test a sample and see how it works and changes in your space throughout the day. White paints are such chameleon colors that can look totally different in different situations, in different lights, and paired with different colors.