Benjamin Moore color expert helps readers pick the perfect palette

Andrea Magno, a Benjamin Moore color and design expert, joined The Washington Post staff writer Jura Koncius recently on the newspaper's Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt.

Q. I'm planning to paint my entire interior white. What sheens are appropriate for walls vs. trim, ceiling and doors? Which is the right white? Do you suggest that be the only shade, or do you like to vary the tint of the ceiling and trim?

A. I suggest using a matte or eggshell finish on the wall with a satin or semigloss on the doors and trim. Some great whites to consider are Benjamin Moore's Cotton Balls, Simply White, White Dove and Chantilly Lace. You can use one variation of white on the walls, ceiling and trim, but change up the sheen. Or use a white with a slight difference for a subtle layered look.

Q. Shadow, Benjamin Moore's 2017 Color of the Year, is a rather intense color. What rooms do you see it working best in?

A. We've been working with the color Shadow a lot and have had great results in a variety of rooms. For instance, it is amazing in a living room and even looks great in a small study. Even though it is an intense color, it is surprisingly versatile.

Q. Can you recommend some warm grays that don't veer too far toward beige?

A. Some favorites are Cumulus Cloud, Thunder and Gray Owl.

Q. I moved recently and had a bunch of things - art, vases, some linens - bundled up in a corner, and I realized I have a preferred palette. My previous homes weren't consciously decorated because I was moving a lot, so things were in and out of storage. Seeing everything finally unpacked and all together made me realize things I've picked up over the years - local art, place mats, etc. - all have the same colors in them. Is that common? Do people have colors they are drawn to throughout their lives, and can you have a personal palette without it eventually looking rather ossified? Also, I really like Shadow. Do you think it will work in a bedroom?

A. I love that you are looking at everything you have collected over the years together. More often than not, people gravitate toward certain colors, and it can be subconscious. I would certainly use this to direct your color selection for the rooms where you will be using these items. Shadow would definitely work in a bedroom. I can see it being used with crisp white linens to create a rich and sophisticated look.

Q. I know the colors marked "HC" in your line are based on old colors from American architecture in past centuries. Is this right? Why do these colors live on?

A. The Benjamin Moore Historic Collection was introduced in 1976 for America's bicentennial and have become interior and exterior favorites. At the time, Benjamin Moore worked with the National Park Service to create a color collection based on historic places in America. These colors are timeless and complement many decorative styles, which is why they have become go-to options for customers, contractors and designers.

Q. What's a great neutral to paint all the rooms in my beach house?

A. For a beach house, I would suggest Revere Pewter, which is a great neutral that works well with many other colors. For something a bit more gray, take a look at Collingwood. White trim in Snowfall White would be very pretty with either color.

Q. I love black. What's one of your best black paints for a study?

A. A black study would be amazing. Take a look at Black Ink or Black Iron. Either option is slightly off-black, which will show a rich undertone. Or if you want a super black, try Black Satin.

Q. Has painting one wall a different color fallen out of favor as a design statement? It seems dated to me, but it's one way to use an intense color such as Shadow.

A. We still see people using accent walls, but it works best when the accent wall is selected deliberately. For instance, choose a wall that is a main focal point in the room and pair it with another wall color that complements it, so that the colors work together for a cohesive look. Neutrals such as Stormy Monday or Fusion would work well with Shadow as the accent.

Q. My living room is more modern than traditional in height, architecture and moldings. Can you recommend a gallery white to showcase my Walter Gotschke prints? The Color of the Year might work for an accent wall in my powder room.

A. Two crisp, clean white options that would work well with your prints are Chantilly Lace or Distant Gray. Either is neutral enough that it will allow the prints to really stand out. Shadow would be great in a powder room. I really like the idea of using a deep color in that kind of space.

Q. Can you still buy oil-based paint? I thought it was the most durable.

A. There are a lot of regulations around oil-based paint today. Benjamin Moore has a product called Advance that is a water-reducible alkyd, which means that it is as durable as a traditional oil-based paint but cleans up with soap and water. This product is great for millwork, trim and furniture.

Q. What is your best-selling paint color?

A. One of our best-selling colors is Revere Pewter, which is a great neutral. Other favorites include White Dove, Palladian Blue, Dinner Party and Manchester Tan.