It sounds so simple … “I want white for the trim color”. White, especially as a trim or ceiling color, is commonly used as a contrast to wall color both indoors and out. The problem is, what do you mean by “white”? There are bright whites, soft creamy whites, warm whites, cool whites, and more. Often times, a white that may not look truly white on a sample card does look very white when painted on, especially next to a contrasting color. Consider your main color and undertones when choosing what white you want. Also keep in mind, the more “true white” a paint is (lacking pigment) the more coats it may take to cover thoroughly. 

On a side note, don’t let the names fool you! I don’t understand the rhyme or reason to a lot of paint color names. For example, Kelly-Moore Paint’s “Swiss Coffee” sounds to me like it would be some form of a light brown. It’s actually one of their most popular basic white colors! So, before you tell your painting contractor “just paint it white”, give it a little more thought or ask them for help picking a white that will work well with your other colors.