Sherwin Williams Alabaster: Real Home, Real Results
By Kylie
July 12, 2024
When it comes to my fave things to work on, nothing gets me more excited than a big fat glass of wine client who wants to KEEP their existing finishes and needs the right PAINT COLOR to save the day.
And it aint just paint that saved this home from itself; it’s also a homeowner with some MAAAD decorating and photography skills. Who is this multi-talented homeowner? Jenna Christian (Instagram / BLOG) is a girl after my own heart in style and casual home living (if you love Studio McGee, you’ll love Jenna!).
So without further ado, let’s take a boo at this lovely home…
KITCHEN REMODEL: PAINTED OAK CABINETS
In her Online Paint Color Consultation, Jenna was hoping for a white paint color that she could use not only on her kitchen cabinets but also on her walls and trim – enter Sherwin Williams Alabaster.
Alabaster is a soft, warm white, warmer than most of the other popular warm whites without going overly yellow. With its LRV of 82, it’s on the low end of the white range, but as long as it’s the BRIGHTEST white in the space, it will act accordingly. However, if you partner it with a more true white, Alabaster will look more yellow in comparison.
BEFORE: the wood cabinets had a LOT of grain, pink undertones, and those DARN exposed hinges…
If you have cabinets like these, there’s a lot you can do without replacing them. Jenna and the hubs wanted a fresh new look with new cabinet doors, hidden hinges, and a new range hood/stove configuration.
AFTER: I have no words…
Just joking #ilovetohearmyselftalk.
Returning to my point of loving projects where the homeowner KEEPS some of the existing finishes, this is the perfect example of using your money wisely to create a beautiful space. Sure, they could’ve put in a new subway tile backsplash and quartz countertops. Heck, they could’ve replaced the floor while they were at it – but they didn’t need to, as a great paint color and thoughtful styling did the job. Oh, and they saved a buttload of money in the process.
This kitchen just makes me like 10 kinds of happy…
How to Update Oak or Wood Cabinets – 4-part series
You might’ve also noticed that the microwave and oven disappeared. Jenna and her husband don’t believe you NEED these appliances to have a well-functioning kitchen. Or maybe they’re on the wall to the right – wink wink.
Get your PEEL & STICK sample of Alabaster HERE
DINING ROOM REMODEL WITH ALABASTER & A MURAL
BEFORE: insert awkward whistling here…
AFTER: I hope I’m invited for dinner…
I’m not usually one for murals, but I freakin’ love how Jenna created a focal point in her dining room. By the way, if you like the fixtures and furnishings in Jenna’s home, she has links to many of them on her BLOG’S SHOP PAGE!
And no, Jenna didn’t ask me to write this blog post. I’m sharing it with you as I’m grateful to Jenna for hiring me for her beautiful home and because I’m just slightly obsessed with it. It’s also CHOCK A BLOCK FULL of inspiring ideas for you and your home!
LIVING ROOM REMODEL WITH ALABASTER
BEFORE: I’ll let you decide how you feel about this space…
AFTER: Ummm, are we even in the same home?
What’s new? Besides the furnishings, you’ll see gorgeous red oak flooring, the removal of old blinds, the same light fixture I have in MY living room, and maaaaybe even a new fireplace surround. The mantel’s still the same, though.
5 Ideas to Update Your OUTDATED Fireplace
Notice how the arched windows look as awkward as me in high heels in the BEFORE photos. But now, by blending them in and softening their lines, the arched windows look more like a purposeful architectural detail – THANK YOU, SHERWIN WILLIAMS ALABASTER!
And check out this lovely little corner of the world…oh my heart.
BATHROOM REMODEL WITH PURE WHITE & ON THE ROCKS
While the bathroom doesn’t involve Alabaster, it does involve two other beautiful shades.
BEFORE: I’m sure the finishes in this bathroom look familiar to a lot of people, especially those living in ’90s homes…
AFTER: There was no sense in changing the layout, and doing so would have added to the cost considerably. But besides the corner tub, you’re looking at all new finishes in this lovely loo!
The bathroom has us stepping away from Alabaster as it’s too warm for the finishes in this space. Instead, we went for Sherwin Williams On the Rocks on the walls with Pure White on the board and batten, tub paneling, and vanity…
A Fresh Home Remodel With Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray & White Dove
So there you have it! Have you picked up some inspiring ideas for your home? Looking for more inspiration? Check these out…
READ MORE
6 Ideas to Update Your Kitchen on a Budget
How to Create a Timeless, Trend-Proof Home – 6 PART SERIES
The New Era of Laminate Countertops & Why They ROCK
3 Ideas to Give a Small Bathroom PERSONALITY
NEED HELP?
CHECK OUT MY ONLINE PAINT COLOR CONSULTING PACKAGES!
ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, UPDATED IN 2024 FOR BITS N’ PIECES
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Meet Kylie
Do you need help, but aren’t quite sure what ‘help’ looks like? Are you drowning in paint samples and decision fatigue?
Does every color you like at the paint store look terrible in your lighting or pick up a funky undertone? I’d love to help.
Hi, I’m Kylie
For over 24 years I’ve helped 12,000+ homeowners and renters make more confident decisions on paint colors and affordable home updates using real home examples and practical, experience-based advice. My goal is simple: help you love the home you have.
Do-it-yourself, the smart way
Grab one of Kylie’s guides
Affordable, downloadable shortcuts to the colors and combos I’d pick for you. Yours to keep, forever.
Homeowner’s Guide: White Kitchen Cabinets
This isn’t another ’10 Best Cabinet Colors’ list, because there is no SINGLE best white for every home and every kitchen.
Learn how to choose a white cabinet paint color that works with your countertops, backsplash, flooring, trim, lighting, and home—so you can rule out the wrong whites, sample fewer colors, and choose with confidence.
158-page PDF – Instant Download
$34.95Accent Colors – And How to Use Them
This isn’t about plastering your home in the ‘Color of the Year’ or following the latest trends (unless you really want to).
It’s about finding accent colors that work with YOUR home, YOUR style, and YOUR comfort level.
Because the best accent color isn’t one you love on a paint chip, it’s one that makes everything around it look better.
118-Page PDF – Instant Download
$34.95
Homeowner’s Guide: Exterior Paint Colors
Painting your home’s exterior is a BIG investment and choosing a color based on a tiny paint chip, a trend or the house down the street can be an expensive mistake.
Learn how to look at YOUR roof, YOUR windows, YOUR brick (or stone) and YOUR home as a whole so you can understand what colors make sense.
The goal? Less guessing, fewer samples and a lot more confidence before gallons of paint go on your home.
206-page PDF – Digital Download
$44.95Exterior Trim Paint Colors
This isn’t a list of ‘the best trim colors’, although you’ll get a ton of links to great shades!
You’ll learn how to look at your home and understand whether it needs contrast, repetition, connection, or a little visual peacekeeping to pull it all together.
Because trim might seem like a small detail…but spread it around all four sides of your home on multiple surfaces and it suddenly has a pretty big job.
118-page PDF – Instant Download
$24.95
Comments
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Hi Kylie – I appreciate your videos and have learned SO much. I love Alabaster and am currently looking for a good paint color for my great room/kitchen/dining area. The cabinets are Alabaster, as is the trim, so I am looking for something warm without going too beige. It is new construction. What are your thoughts on Sherwin Williams “Maison Blanche?”
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Hi Kylie,
My kitchen cabinets have “oranged out’ over the years. Now, the wall paint that touches the cabinets and the granite doesn’t look right at all.
Are you able to suggest a paint color so that I don’t have to remove the cabinets or countertops? The backsplash is cream-colored subway tiles. I can send a picture if you are able to suggest a paint color that
won’t be too white.
Thank you very much.
Nora-
Hi Nora, this is definitely something I can look at with my Online Consulting as it all depends on the exact countertop/backsplash combo! I would do my best 🙂 https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/hire-kylie/#packages
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You are amazing at what you do and I love your little quirks lol.
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Oh what a lovely comment to get – thank you. I would make a heart emoji, but I don’t know how to :).
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I would love to know what white quartz countertops you would recommend with alabaster cabinets! Thank you!
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Just something I noticed… Jenna’s kitchen has completely different doors. She did not just paint what she had. She has basic shaker now and had more detailed framing on her previous shaker doors when they were stained. I thing she did a whole refacing if not a whole new set of cabinets. I do love how her remodel turned out though.
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Hey Nova! From what I remember, she replaced the fronts and kept the boxes/side panels 🙂 It sure DID turn out beautiful!
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Hi Kylie,
Did you also paint the ceiling in Alabaster for this remodel? I was thinking of doing Alabaster throughout my home and wondered what sheens to use for walls, ceiling, and trim if they’re all in Alabaster? Thank you!! -
Seconding the question on ceiling and trim. Would love to know what she paired with Alabaster. Thanks!
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Hiya, as far as I know, it’s alllll good ole Alabaster!
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