My Favorite Paint Colors

Choosing the perfect paint colors for your home can be overwhelming, but after years of trial and error, I’ve found a few favorites that bring warmth, charm, and a timeless appeal to any space. If you love classic Southern design with a French cottage flair, you’ll want to take note of these stunning hues of blue, classic creams, and calming greens we’ve used throughout our homes.

Whole House Neutral: Drift of Mist by Sherwin-Williams

Drift of Mist was the perfect color for our former home’s interior, a beautiful balance between beige and gray. It provided a soft, neutral backdrop that worked beautifully in every room, making the space feel bright and airy while maintaining warmth.

Living Room Elegance: Ballet White by Benjamin Moore

For our new living room, we opted for Ballet White by Benjamin Moore, and it was love at first sight! This creamy, warm white has just the right amount of depth, making it an excellent choice for a cozy yet sophisticated living space. We also used Ballet White in our primary bedroom at the lake house, and it brings such a soothing, relaxed feel to the space.

The Perfect Green: Blue Gray by Farrow & Ball

Our absolute favorite green is Blue Gray by Farrow & Ball. This gorgeous shade is a chameleon, shifting between a soft green and a muted blue depending on the lighting. We love it so much that we’ve used it in our primary bedroom, where it creates the most calming and tranquil atmosphere. If you’re looking for a timeless green that’s easy on the eyes, this is it!

Southern Source Side Note: We had quite a bit of semi-gloss paint leftover from our bedroom paint project and I wanted to use it somewhere. In our last home, right off the entry, across from the laundry room was a little passthrough/cove area. I decided to color-drench this space with the remainder of the semi-gloss and it looks SO good! Small spaces like this (powder rooms, etc) can be the perfect spot to use a semi-gloss paint which is a little more reflective (so not great for large spaces), but can be well executed in tighter footprints!

Lake House Blues: Esoteric by C2 Paint

At our lake house, we decided to have a little fun with color! In one of our guest rooms, we used Esoteric by C2 Paint, a rich and inviting shade of blue that brings an element of sophistication and charm. It pairs beautifully with neutral decor and natural textures, making it a perfect choice for a cozy retreat.

Warm & Earthy: Quahog by C2 Paint

For the other guest bedroom at the lake house, we went with Quahog by C2 Paint—a beautiful tan-brown color that adds warmth and depth. This hue is perfect for creating an inviting, cozy space while maintaining a refined aesthetic.

A Kitchen Classic: Paperclip by C2 Paint

Our newly painted kitchen cabinets are a dream! We chose Paperclip by C2 Paint, which closely resembles Revere Pewter by Benjamin Moore. This soft greige tone strikes the perfect balance between warm and cool, giving our kitchen an elegant yet understated charm.

Bringing the Outdoors in: Verte De Terre by Farrow & Ball

When choosing a paint color for the primary bathroom at the lake house, I needed to find a paint color that complimented the existing gray granite countertops. Gray granite isn’t my first choice when designing a bathroom but in the spirit of conserving budget and keeping a perfectly fine stone intact, I wanted to make them work. I took to Pinterest to try and find modern photos of bathroom designs using gray granite countertops and found that a shade of green complements gray granite well.

I’ve always been drawn to the color Verte De Terre by Farrow and Ball so that’s what we went with. I had it color-matched at Home Depot. We painted the walls in an eggshell finish and the trim in a semi-gloss. I love the way it turned out!

Southern Source Side Note: The only updates I made in this primary bathroom were paint, new window treatment, new vanity lights, and I painted the existing mirrors white. See the before and after below. This is a true testament to how drastically paint can transform a space!

Bright & Airy: Simply White by Benjamin Moore

In the lake house living area, we went with Simply White by Benjamin Moore. This crisp yet warm white brings in plenty of natural light and creates a fresh, inviting atmosphere. It works beautifully with our design aesthetic, giving the space an open and airy feel while still feeling cozy and refined.

Pro Tip: The Perfect Finish

When painting, we always use an eggshell finish for walls to provide a soft, low-sheen look that’s easy to clean. For trim and doors, we opt for a semi-gloss finish to add a bit of contrast and durability. These choices ensure a timeless and polished appearance throughout the home.

If you’re looking for timeless paint colors that work beautifully in a home with classic Southern design and a French cottage flair, these are my tried-and-true favorites.

Paint is so hard to choose (especially white). You really need to sample them in your space. Don’t waste your time running back and forth to Home Depot for sample cans and brushes.

This can become wasteful and expensive.

SOLUTION: This website has TONS of paint samples that come pre-painted and stick to the wall. No more mess and they ship really quickly!

I’d love to hear about your go-to paint colors! Drop a comment and let me know what shades you’ve used in your home.