White 02 is a cool, crisp white, and the golden rule is simple: don't fight its temperature. Everything you put next to it should be on the cool side of the wheel. Warm it with cream textiles or buttery off-whites and it'll read grubby rather than fresh.
For a soft, tonal scheme, Paint & Paper Library Slate IV (LRV 67.5) is a lovely partner — a pale, ashy grey that drenches beautifully across wall and trim with White 02 without introducing any yellow. It keeps things light and airy while giving you just enough shadow to stop the room feeling flat.
When you want a bit more depth, reach for Mylands Artichoke BH.13 (LRV 27.6). It's a muted, greyed-green mid that sits comfortably against a cool white — think it on a chimney breast, in a panelled section, or on cabinetry. The grey undertone keeps it firmly in the same cool family.
And if you're after a proper anchor — a deep, moody accent — Dulux Sapphire Springs 1 (LRV 6.4) is the one. It's a near-inky blue, gorgeous on a feature wall, joinery, or a downstairs loo where you can go bold. Against White 02 it reads sharp and architectural.
The "but what about a bit of warmth?" question always comes up. My honest answer: don't get it from the paint. If you want warmth, bring it in through timber — pale ash or smoked oak flooring — and through texture rather than yellow-based colour. That gives you cosiness without muddying the white.
Metal finishes matter here too. Go for nickel, chrome or pewter on handles, taps and light fittings. Brass will pull the scheme warm and clash with the cool white you've worked to protect.
Practical tip: paint big sample boards, prop them against your floor and skirting, and check them in both daylight and lamplight before you commit. White 02 shifts with the light, and you want to see it doing its thing in your actual room.