Paint Base Colors: Why Are They Important and How to Choose the Right One?

When you purchase a new apartment in Israel, it typically comes painted white. But once you receive the key to your new home, you don’t have to settle for the standard finish. In preparation for moving in, you may want to give your new apartment a warmer feel or add a little color. Before you start painting, there's a lot you should know about paint base colors, painting methods, and how to choose the right foundation for your home. Whether you're working with a new build or planning a renovation, understanding these fundamentals will help you make informed decisions that you'll love for years to come.

When planning a renovation or a paint job after receiving your new apartment, the painting method you choose significantly impacts both the final appearance and your budget. There are two primary approaches:

Broken White Color Swatch

American-style painting

American-style painting involves smoothing the entire wall surface to create a perfectly even base, eliminating any bumps or imperfections. Multiple coats of paint are then applied for a flawless, professional finish. The walls appear straight and smooth, with no visible imperfections.

Israeli standard painting

Israeli-style painting focuses on patching specific imperfections rather than smoothing the entire wall. If there are bumps or uneven areas, the paint goes directly over them, which means you might notice these imperfections in the final result. Walls may not appear perfectly straight.

The trade-off? American-style painting typically costs roughly double the price of Israeli-style painting. Consider your budget and expectations for the final result when making this decision.

On new builds, contractors will only use white from Israeli paint companies. However when repainting after getting the keys, or during a renovation, you should know that there are several reputable paint companies operate in Israel, each with its own characteristics:

Nirlat is a popular Israeli brand. Following the tragic events of October 7th when their factory in Nir Oz was burned down by terrorists, many people choose to support this company for meaningful reasons beyond just product quality.

Tambour is another common Israeli paint brand widely used by contractors and designers.

Benjamin Moore is an American company that offers an option for those who prefer familiar brands from the United States. It's marketed as exclusive and higher quality, though the actual paint performance isn't necessarily superior to local brands. Americans often feel more comfortable with this familiar name.

It's worth noting that carpentry work can incorporate colors from both Nirlat and Tambour, giving you flexibility in coordinating your design elements.

Kitchen & Dining Area Painted with Ash White

Unfortunately you cannot choose something other than white for a new build…at least initially! While contractors automatically paint new apartments white as a standard practice, once you receive your new apartment you can absolutely repaint with a different base color. In fact, many people - particularly Americans - prefer not to have stark white walls. During a renovation, you have complete freedom to choose any base color you prefer.

Ceilings are traditionally kept white, even when walls are off-white, beige, or other colors. However, there's an alternative approach worth considering: painting the ceiling the same color as the walls creates a deeper dimension and can actually make the room feel bigger. This technique works particularly well with softer, broken white tones.

Since most people don't want stark white walls, the most popular options fall under the category of "broken white" - and yes, there really are countless shades to choose from. The two main categories are grey-white and beige-white tones.

While beige is loved by many Israeli designers, as it seems warm and inviting initially, it has a significant drawback: after a few years, beige-based whites tend to turn yellow with age, losing their original fresh appearance. For this reason, experienced designers like Ari Isaac often steer clients away from beige options.

Living space painted with Ash White

Ash White

The first of the broken white colors to explore is ash white (Tambour OW241), a grey-based broken white that creates a modern, clean aesthetic. It's perfect for contemporary spaces and those who appreciate a crisp, minimalist look. However, some people find it feels too cold or sterile. If you're drawn to Scandinavian or industrial design, ash white might be your ideal choice.

Newly renovated room featuring Herare White wall

Herare White

Herare white (Nirlat IS 0215) is a warmer alternative with almost a country feel, though it can still work beautifully in modern designs. This grey-brown tone provides warmth without the yellowing issues associated with beige. It's an excellent choice if you want your space to feel cozy and inviting.

Toast & Butter

If you are looking for a middle ground, toast and butter (Tambour 0025P) is a mix between ash white and mocha white. It offers a slightly warmer feel than ash white but avoids the brown undertones that some people want to steer clear of. This is an ideal compromise for those who want warmth without fully committing to mocha tones.

When it comes to the question of accent walls and bold paint colors, it comes down to a matter of design philosophy. Ari Isaac of Living by Ari believes that color should be introduced through texture—such as wallpaper or wall coverings—rather than flat paint. If you do want to incorporate painted color, consider doing so as part of a deliberate design element: a color block, a stripe, or another intentional pattern. A well-planned design feature is always preferable to simply painting an entire wall a different color without context.

To sum up, your base paint color sets the feeling for your entire home. Consider these key factors:

• Budget: American-style painting methods costs about twice as much as Israeli-style but delivers superior results
  

• Undertone preference: Grey-based whites (Ari’s favorites are ash, toasted butter) maintain their appearance better than beige-based options
  

• Warmth level: Choose ash white for modern coolness, mocha white for warmth, or toasted butter for a balanced middle ground
  

• Familiarity vs. quality: Don't assume American brands are automatically better—local options perform excellently

Take the time to view large paint swatches on your actual walls in different lighting conditions. What looks one way on a small sample can appear quite different when applied to an entire room. The right base color creates a foundation that you'll appreciate every single day in your home.