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Choosing a white paint color should be easy, right? Bless. If you’ve ever stood in the paint aisle holding ten tiny white swatches while whispering, “They literally all look the same,” — welcome. You’re in the right place.
Today, we’re breaking down Sherwin Williams Pure White vs Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace so you can choose the right white without regret, repainting, or a nervous breakdown. I’ve used both in the homes I’ve lived in. I’m here to spill some tea.
Pure White at a Glance (Quick Facts)

Brand: Sherwin-Williams
Color Code: SW 7005
LRV: 84
Overall vibe: Soft, clean white that won’t blind you in sunlight
Pure White is one of those “safe but not boring” whites. It looks crisp without looking icy or sterile. It also behaves very nicely with warm and cool palettes.
Think: fresh, clean walls without hospital energy.
Chantilly Lace at a Glance (Quick Facts)

Brand: Benjamin Moore
Color Code: OC-65
LRV: 90.04
Overall vibe: Bright, modern, ultra-clean white
Chantilly Lace is on the brighter, crisper side of the white family. It doesn’t mess around. It reflects a ton of light and gives you that modern, just-renovated glow.
Think: bright, airy, Instagram-worthy white walls.
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Undertones: The Real Difference
Let’s talk undertones — aka the tiny hidden personality traits that decide whether your white looks dreamy… or like it’s judging you.
Pure White has:
- A soft, slightly warm undertone
- A hint of creamy coziness
- A balanced look that plays nicely with both warm and cool decor

Pure White is the white that says, “I’m crisp, but I’m not trying to stress you out.” She’s calm. She’s dependable. She will not turn blue on you in bad lighting.
Chantilly Lace, on the other hand:
- Has very minimal undertones (she wakes up flawless, apparently)
- Leans cleaner and cooler, especially in low light
- Looks modern and sharp without trying too hard

Chantilly Lace is the white that walks into the room and makes everything feel newer, brighter, and slightly more expensive than it actually was.
If you’re scared of your walls looking icy or hospital-adjacent, Pure White is usually the safer emotional choice.
LRV + Brightness Compared
Let’s talk LRV — aka Light Reflectance Value, or as I like to call it, “How bright is this going to look at 2pm when the sun hits the wall and I’m suddenly overthinking everything?”

Pure White has:
- LRV of 84
- A bright but soft glow
- A clean look that doesn’t scream for attention
Pure White is bright, but she’s polite about it. She reflects light beautifully without flash-banging your eyeballs when the sun comes through the windows.
Chantilly Lace comes in hotter with:
- LRV of 90
- A very crisp, very bright reflection level
- A light, airy, high-contrast finish
Chantilly Lace is not here to whisper. She is here to sparkle, bounce light, and make your space feel like it’s been professionally staged… whether you asked for that or not.
In real-life terms:
Pure White feels soft and calm. Chantilly Lace feels bold and ultra-clean. Both are beautiful — but one is subtly glowing while the other is basically photogenic at all times.
Best Rooms for Pure White
Pure White shines in:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Open-concept spaces
- Homes with lots of warm wood tones
I used it in the living room as well as the bathroom.
It works beautifully if you want white to feel warm, cozy, and livable instead of clinical.
Best Rooms for Chantilly Lace
Chantilly Lace is amazing in:
- Kitchens
- Modern bathrooms
- White cabinetry
- Contemporary or minimal spaces
Chantilly Lace is my trim color in my current apartment.
It looks especially stunning with marble, chrome, and black accents.
Which One Should You Choose?

Choose Pure White if:
- You want a softer, more forgiving white
- Your home has warm floors or cabinets
- You don’t want your walls to feel icy
Choose Chantilly Lace if:
- You love a crisp, modern look
- You have lots of natural light
- You want your white to feel ultra bright
There isn’t a wrong choice here, just very different vibes.
Try Them Before You Commit
Bold of anyone to think they can confidently choose the right white after looking at a paint chip under fluorescent store lighting. We don’t do chaos like that anymore.
This is where Samplize peel-and-stick samples come in to save your sanity.
They let you stick real paint samples directly to your walls, move them around your space, and see how Pure White (sample it) and Chantilly Lace (sample it) look in your actual lighting — morning, noon, cloudy day, and “why does everything look blue at night?” lighting.
No mess. No rollers. No commitment issues.
It’s the easiest way to avoid painting an entire room, hating it, and pretending you “meant for it to look like that” for six months.
👉 Try Pure White and Chantilly Lace with peel-and-stick samples before you paint.
Future you. Less stress. Zero paint regrets.
Final Thoughts

Both whites are gorgeous. One is softer. One is brighter. One might make your space feel warm and welcoming, while the other might make it feel like a designer magazine shoot happened overnight.
There’s no wrong choice here — just different personalities in paint form. Pure White is the cozy friend who brings snacks and a blanket. Chantilly Lace is the chic friend who owns matching luggage.
At the end of the day, the best white is the one that makes your home feel beautiful, calm, and very “you”… and the one that doesn’t make you question your life choices halfway through painting.
And remember: white paint is never just white. It’s commitment. It’s emotion. It’s a personality trait. Choose wisely.


I’m Cate. As a seasoned paint color consultant and former proprietor of the highly regarded painting company WOW 1 Day Painting in Bergen County, my journey in the world of design and home improvement has been a colorful one, quite literally. Nestled in the scenic landscapes of Northern New Jersey, I’ve cultivated a passion for transforming spaces through the power of paint, furniture restoration, and thoughtful home decor.





