New Book Examines History of White Paint
The latest design analysis explores why homeowners should rethink the ubiquity of white paint in living spaces.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Interior Decorating
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Author Wendy S. Walters explores the cultural implications of white paint in her new book, A Dead White, which challenges the color's ubiquity in modern design. The work examines how white paint serves as an aesthetic of absolutism in spaces ranging from private homes to museums.
Why it matters
Understanding the history of wall colors helps homeowners make more intentional design choices. Walters argues that white paint is often selected unconsciously, masking deeper aesthetic and historical legacies in our living environments.
Benjamin Moore currently offers 152 distinct shades of white, highlighting the immense variety available for interior paint projects. This volume underscores the complexity of choosing a neutral tone for a home interior.
The players
Wendy S. Walters
An associate professor of nonfiction writing at Columbia University who researches design history.
Benjamin Moore
A prominent manufacturer of paints and coatings that currently markets 152 different shades of white.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
A major art institution in New York that serves as a case study for the author regarding interior wall color.
Frank Lloyd Wright
An influential architect who originally pushed for ivory over white for the design of the Guggenheim museum.
Pantone
A global authority on color systems that designated Cloud Dancer as the color of the year for 2026.
The details
Walters researches how white paint has evolved from early historical usage to become synonymous with modernism in the 1920s. By visiting sites like the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, she investigates how specific shades, such as Dove Wing, influence the perception of art and space. She contrastingly notes that this color can represent a history of absolutism and, in more extreme contexts, has been utilized for exclusionary or violent purposes.
Timeline
1860: Edward William Godwin used a creamy color to cover ceiling wallpaper.
1920s: Bauhaus designers popularized the frequent use of white paint.
1959: Frank Lloyd Wright lobbied for ivory rather than white for the Guggenheim interior.
2022: Wendy S. Walters co-curated an exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
2026: Pantone named the shade Cloud Dancer as the color of the year.
The Home Front
The widespread availability of over 150 white paint options reflects an enduring trend in interior design toward minimalist, neutral palettes. This obsession with white paint often overlooks the historical and aesthetic assumptions built into our most common home color choices.
If you are planning to repaint your living space, consider researching the undertones and historical context of the whites you are choosing. Look beyond standard store samples to see how specific colors like ivory or creamy off-whites shift the atmosphere of a room compared to stark white.
The takeaway
Design decisions in the home are rarely neutral and often carry significant historical baggage. Consider the specific history behind your chosen wall color before your next painting project to ensure your space reflects your values.
Further reading
Learn more about selecting the right palettes for your space in our Interior Decorating section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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Do you prefer walls painted in neutral white or in colors with more tone?
