Settled, side by side

Le Cygne — the swan — is a warm, matte ivory from the French house Ressource. It has the chalky, light-absorbing quality of old lime plaster, which is why it looks so at home on Haussmann panelling and ceiling roses: it softens the light rather than bouncing it around. Cream is present, yellow is not.

Simply White is one of Benjamin Moore's most-specified whites — bright, at LRV 90, and warm without being creamy. A touch of yellow keeps it friendly, but it is light enough that it reads as a true white in almost every room, which is why it works on walls, trim and ceilings together.