Posted on April 20, 2019 by KylieMawdsley
Sherwin Williams Top 4 White Paint Colours – Undertones and More!
After my blog post re: The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colours, I received TONS of emails and comments asking for the same thing in Sherwin Williams. Oh, you are a demanding bunch (and that’s why I love you…)! Seriously though, it’s via your comments that I get some of my BEST blog post ideas!
Sherwin Williams has some pretty wicked whites, so the chances of finding the perfect one for you and your home are pretty good – especially when you have me in your back pocket (btw, I pinch).
As you’ve probably discovered, whites can be a real bugger. Not only do you have to think about which undertones are hiding in them, but they’re also HUGELY susceptible to picking up reflections from the environment, such as:
- Green grass or landscaping outside the window
- Warm-toned woods (flooring/cabinets/ceiling)
- Feature walls
- Strong coloured furniture or drapes
- Light bulb temperatures or the colour of glass on light fixtures/shades
So, what is a girl (or guy) to DO? Check these out…
1. Sherwin Williams Pure White SW 7005
Pure White is one of my FAVE go-to whites, but it’s not a STARK CLEAN white, it actually has a warm softness to it. Not enough to make it creamy or yellow, but enough to remove the crisp edge that many whites have.
On the large scale
Looking at the tiny sample, Pure White can look a bit flat. On the LARGE scale, Pure White will act quite similar to white, just not as crisp/clean/icy as some others. 
A bit more about Pure White
- Pure White is beautiful for cabinets if you are going for a ‘white’ kitchen. It won’t be warm enough if you are looking for a softer, warmer white (in which case, you might check out Alabaster, which is coming up soon or one of these warm white paint colours)
- If you are using it on your walls, you might want to do the trims/ceilings/walls all the same colour, but in different sheens
- In a north-facing room, this colour will lose its warmth. In a south-facing room, it will warm up slightly, as its roots suggest
- Pure White is a fabulous trim/door/ceiling colour and can be used with warm or cool colours
- With an LRV of 84, Pure White is a SOFT white, not a stark or clean one (the more tint there is, the lower the LRV number goes – read more here)
Read more: FULL COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Pure White
Want something a bit softer? Check out Sherwin Williams Snowbound.
2. Sherwin Williams Extra White SW 7006
Extra White is said to be Sherwin Williams most WHITE white as it’s a bit cooler looking (I might beg to differ, there’s a different one that wins in my books). Extra White is a BIT finicky as to the type of paint colours it wants to be partnered with and prefers the cooler end of things vs warm tones.
On the small and large scale
On the small scale, you’ll see a tiny tiny flash of cool-blue, but on the large scale, it’s more of a soft white with a slightly cool gray cast to it.
And I would LOVE to show you some photos of this fab colour, but rely 99.9% on photos from my Online Colour Consulting clients and I haven’t had good clear after shots of an Extra White interior yet.
However, I DO have another one of Extra White on exterior trim…
A bit more about Extra White
- Extra White is great for cabinets if you want a crisp, modern contemporary look for your cabinets, doors, trims and ceilings
- In a north-facing room, Extra White will go THAT MUCH MORE cool-toned and icy, which is great if you’re going for that look, but can be pretty darned cold visually
- In a south-facing room, the warm light can help to balance out the cool tones a bit, making things level out slightly, but will revert back to cool at nighttime unless you have warm bulbs
- If you are using it on your walls, you might want to do the trims/ceilings/walls all the same colour, but in different sheens
- Extra White has a slightly higher LRV than Pure White – 86 (LRV blog post)
Read more: FULL COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Extra White
Click on the above image to see my E-DESIGN packages!
3. Sherwin Williams High Reflective White SW 7757
If you ask some of the peeps at SW, they’ll tell you that Extra White is their most ‘white-white’, but if you ask ME, High Reflective White is PRETTY DAMN WHITE (and it’s all about me, so…). I don’t see that flash of warmth OR that flash of cool, making it versatile and easy to work with if your home sways from warm to cool tones throughout (Pure White is also flexible like this). The only tricky thing is that SOME paint stores don’t carry it – I have no idea why.
On the small and large scale
High Reflective White is pretty…darned…white – with only a WINK of softness.
A bit more about High Reflective White
- Looks like me when I moon my friends – high…reflective…white (which I would NEVER do Mom, I swear)
- This is THE brightest white Sherwin Williams has – LRV 93 – holy freakin’ moly! The closest in Benjamin Moore is Chantilly Lace
- This is fabulous for a white kitchen
FULL Paint Colour Review of Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Can I Paint My North Facing Room White?
How to Choose the Best White for Your Kitchen Cabinets
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
- At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
- If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
4. Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW 7008
Alabaster is stunning, especially if you’re looking for a softer, warmer approach to white…
Alabaster on trim and wainscoting
Alabaster on kitchen cabinets and trim. E-design Kylie M. Photo via JR Photography
On the small and large scale
Alabaster WON’T act like white on the small OR the large scale.
It will hint at white but really is a softer look. Not quite off-white, but certainly getting there. It has a warmth to it that’s grounded by a neutral base so it isn’t overly creamy.
The lovely reception area of Eddins Counseling
SW Alabaster with BM Gray Owl walls. Notice the creamy warmth of Alabaster against the cool of Gray Owl
Alabaster is also beautiful on exterior trim if you want a softer, creamier look compared to a traditional white.
Read more: FULL COLOUR REVIEW of Sherwin Williams Alabaster
A bit more about Alabaster
- Alabaster is a soft warm, but not overly yellow white
- In a south-facing room, the warmth will absolutely rise up, without getting too yellow
- In a north-facing room, I worry that Alabaster on the walls could look a bit drab/flat
- Alabaster has an LRV of 82, so it has the most tint of the bunch, but it’s still soft and subtle
BTW, did you know that Sherwin Williams has some BRAND-NEW WHITES? Learn all about them HERE…
SHERWIN WILLIAMS DESIGNER EDITION WHITE PAINT COLOURS
And you know, I had three other paint colours that I was going to chat about – Whitetail, Snowbound, and Ceiling Bright White, but they just didn’t fit in- they didn’t have enough flexibility or mass appeal (which is why I rarely refer to them in my E-designs). The above options are whites that I refer to on a DAILY basis as they can satisfy any NUMBER of paint colours, surfaces and rooms!
Not sure which white is best for you and your home?
Check out my E-design and Online Color Consulting
Chat soon,
READ MORE
The 3 Whites I Would Never Paint my Trim or Cabinets
The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colours
How to Choose the Best White for Your Kitchen Cabinets
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Great and informative post as always!
Might you also comment on which whites are your favorites for exteriors as a general rule of thumb and why?
Author
Hmmmm, good idea!
After hurricane Irma, we are replacing our roof- and painting our house. I would like to paint the house exterior white, but I am having trouble making the choice of which one- we usually use Sherwin Williams paint-I plan on painting the trim the same color.
Thank you
Author
Hi Pat, depends on your exposure. If the front of your home is south facing, you could keep things clean with something like High Reflective White – simple and bright. If the front of your home is north, I might do a slightly softer white, say Pure White…
I hope everything is slowly, but surely getting put back together for you.
~Kylie
We have a small home in GA with the home facing East that gets a lot of sun in the morning and not much the rest of the day. Would you lean to Pure White or Allabaster? Or, a totally different color?
Author
Hi Rob! Well, White Dove will give you the most ‘white’ look, with a bit of softness whereas Alabaster has just a wink more body to it. I MIGHt lean toward Alabaster if I were spending a lot of time in the room in the afternoon. 🙂
What about Shoji White?
Author
Hi Donna! Shoji White is beautiful, but closer to the off-white collection. I find I don’t refer to it often, although it is a lovely neutral white/of-white!
I loved it on my exterior of my previous home with urbane bronze trim 🙂
Hi Anyela,
We are about to paint our exterior Alabaster and would Love to see a pic of your previous home if you have it. I’m wanting a gray trim (Currently looking into mindful gray) but its a lighter color and I’m very curious to what a darker gray looks like with alabaster. We have a black roof. Thank you.
Author
Hi! Have you thought about a darker version of Mindful Gray, ie: SW Dovetail? Grays will have undertones and this will have a similar one to Mindful Gray. There’s also the darker again, Gauntlet Gray. ALL are warm grays with a soft purple undertone that can occasionally pick up a wink of green ;).
I just discovered your site, and I love it! In your opinion, which color white trim looks best with Accessible Beige, and which white trim looks best with Worldly Gray? Thank you!
Author
Hi Shawn! Both can look nice with SW Alabaster or the more clean look of SW Pure White!
Hi Kylie!
I”m confused on which white to do on my ceilings. I have a large 2 story entry (North Facing)that shares the same ceiling as the back, 2 story family room (South Facing). I painted the walls SW Portico. I get tons of natural light, due to lots of windows and skylights. For my trim/doors, I’m having SW color match my white wood blinds. Should I use that same color for the ceilings too? Right now I have builder’s white on the ceiling. I’m not sure (because I have 2 stories and because of all the natural light I get) if I should go with a softer white on the ceilings or just use the color match from the blinds. I’m a conservative, traditional girl when it comes to decorating.
Thanks so much girlie 🙂
Christy
Author
Hi Christy, i would TOTALLY match the ceiling to the trims/doors/blinds, this way you don’t have to worry about matching up whites and their various undertones!
HI, this is so so helpful! I ended up with SW Egret White on the painted wood floors of my old farmhouse. It’s skewing a bit pinky/purple. Do you have a suggestion of a slightly off white that would complement the walls, without clashing with the floors? SW or Benjamin Moore…
This is hands down the best breakdown of white paint colors I’ve come across. Thank you again!
Author
Well thank you Evan! And yes, I can see how Egret might do that. The problem is that Egret is an off-white, so what we’re doing is mixing and matching undertone in colours that are similar depth, which is tricky as undertones tend to bounce off each other and can make each other stronger. You might be better off going closer to the light range, maybe something like On the Rocks or maybe BM Collingwood. I hope that helps! The thing you have going for you is that light reflects differently off of horizontal surfaces compared to vertical, so the floor will generally look lighter than it normally would.
Thank you for your help!
Hi Kylie,
I am doing a new build and am at the point ( and pressure) of selecting paint colors. My builder is using PPG Porter Classic PP6019 which has no added color) for the ceiling. For the trim, after reading your blog, am thinking of SW Pure White. My question revolves around which white color for cabinets , and for the adjoining dining nook, great room. I am using a stained greyish brown for one side of the kitchen and island, and then white cabinets for the main wall with custom chimmey style hood – shaker cabinets. My counters will be Cambria Brittanica which as I am sure you know leans to the gray side. The room faces north and there is lanai which blocks the direct sun. We are in Florida and going for a beachy modern rustic design. My builder uses SW paints. Do you have any recommendations for the cabinets and walls. I so appreciate your insight. Thanks!
Author
Hi Ruth! I do refer personal questions like yours to my E-design, but I will say that I’m usually inclined to have trims/ceilings/cabinets the same colour when using white, this way you don’t need to worry about competing undertones, or one white looking more yellow/dingy than another!
Thanks for the information. What would be the correct sheen for Gray Owl that will be put on the interior wall of a rear north facing home? Also, which white and sheen should we use for the trim and ceilings?
Author
Hi Junior! I would lean toward eggshell finish. For trim, I’m a satin or semi-gloss fan and almost ALWAYS flat on ceilings!
Why flat for ceilings ?
Author
Well often, ceilings aren’t finished quite as nicely as walls. So, the shinier the paint is the more flaws you will see. If you have texture, sheen will enhance it and make it look busier. If you have a beautiful flat ceiling, any paint finish beyond flat needs to be applied PERFECTLY otherwise with natural light, you will likely see flashing and it can look slightly garish!
Hi Kylie,
Your videos have help me so much. I have decided to paint my house with SW Canvas Tan. Now I’m looking for a white paint for the trim. I’m looking for a softer white that isn’t so bright. Do you have any suggestions?
Author
Hi Melissa! Sounds like you might like SW Alabaster or BM White Dove. The others whites are likely a bit too ‘clean and crisp’ for what you’re looking for 😉
Thank you for your blog! Are you against painting north facing rooms white? Are they always dingy?
Author
Hi Maureen! I’m not against it at all, but it is about picking the right white – in particular a WARM white tends to work the best!
~Kylie
Is Origami white a warm white?
Hi Kylie,
I am trying to figure out the best SW white for cabinets to look best with our new white KitchenAid appliances. It seems that even a small amount of contrast just makes the appliances stick out like a sore thumb. I am leaning toward High Reflective White. What do you think?
Thank you.
Author
Hi Bob, yes High Reflective White can work if you are looking for a white without those flashy yellow/cream or even blue tones!
Thank you for this, Kylie. In a more broad sense, is it preferable to try to match the cabinets to the white appliances as closely as possible? I’m concerned that this will be a lot of white, even with a contrasting counter and backsplash. Actually, I’m finding that working with these white appliances more challenging that I would have imagined! We were just tired of stainless.
I realize this thread is older but sure people still read it! I’m a Sherwin Williams color consultant. High Reflective White is a “base” for Sherwin. It has a lot more viscosity than Extra White and the deep bases and does not cover well used on its own, it really needs tint added.
I’m often challenged with matching white paint color to manufactured white cabinetry, porcelain fixtures & tile etc. The only way to get a really good match is to have the white you need custom matched at the store. Tough to do with appliances unless you have some touch up paint or can match their color to a tile or something portable. Chances are the formula will be in high reflective or extra white base with a whole bunch of white tint and maybe a drop or two of something else. Hope this helps!
I am debating between repose gray and agreeable gray for my whole house painting, foyer and living room north facing and all the bedroom, kitchen and family room source facing with good lightning.
Will SW Pure white would go with either of the colors for ceiling, trims, doors, baseboard?
Thanks.
Author
Hi Sofia, yes Pure White will work great. If I had to bank on one or the other, I would lean toward Agreeable Gray 🙂
Hi. Thanks for your reply. We decided to go with Agreeable grey for 1st floor , foyer, upstairs hall and my master bedroom.
Now after looking at another option for white, I am more confused between Pure White and Extra White. This will go on all ceilings, doors and trims as well as fireplace mantle. I am not looking for stark stark white but don’t want to go dull/creamy,yellow side as well. Any recommendation?
I have Agreeable Grey with Extra White and I LOVE it. It reminds me of a crisp white shirt and a pair of khaki pants…. I can dress it up or down depending on the seasons. It’s just classic.
Author
Perfect, thank you for letting me know! Notes likes this definitely help other readers!
Hi Kylie!
Does Alabaster work with warm and cool paint colors? I’m looking for a white for ceilings & trim. I have SW 9163 Tin Lizzie in the the LR & DR (north facing rooms), and SW7548 Portico at 125% in the entry & family room, and SW7640 Fawn Brindle (south facing rooms). I have tons of light & high ceilings. I’m worried that SW Pure White might look too stark on the ceilings – I have to pay someone, so I really can’t go back once it’s done, My taste is classic/traditional…with a little Pottery Barn/Ballard Designs mixed in. I’m sooo scared I’m going to make the wrong decision 🙁
Thanks a Bunch!
Also, what do you think of SW Snowbound for my situation (see previous reply for more info)?
Thanks Again 🙂
Hey there..
Very helpful site and your videos are awesome.
Was looking to update my trims and ceilings and MAYBE the doors. I read that you always recommend to have one same color for all these three.
Which SW white would go the best with Colonnade Gray and Minute Mauve?
My husband is leaning towards High Reflective white and I feel that it will be TOO bright and TOO white, especially if we do decide to do doors. The sales person at SW suggested to choose between Pure White and Extra White.
Between my husband, the sales person and you, I think that your recommendation will be my best bet to go with 🙂 🙂
Author
Hi Tahmina, thank you! I do like High Reflective as it is darned white, but that’s the problem, it’s DARRRRNED white! I would lean more toward Pure White which will LOOK white, without quite the starkness…
Thank you!! We went with Pure white.
Hi Kylie,
Thinking of using Alabaster white for kitchen cabinets, dark espresso island, medium/dark wood floors. Can I still use Alabaster for trim and doors? Im looking for a soft white with no pink undertones. Is there another white you would recommend.
Thanks
Author
Alabaster is a lovely warm white! You’ll notice that you’ll get a nice subtle shift from wall to cabinet to trim, just via the change in paint sheen! I’m also a BM White Dove fan…
I have enjoyed all the information on selecting whites. With a naturally lit vaulted room running south to north, and a cedar ceiling, it’s tough to decide what white to pick. I’m looking at SW Shoji, Egret or Duck white because I like the bit of grey in it as it tones down the warms from the ceiling. I’ve been looking at the LRV as a guide, but I do want it to be a very bright space. There is some white trim and I was going to go with Pure White on those areas to get some contrast.
Author
Hi! Those whites are great ones to look at – particularly Duck White! And yes, Pure White is one of my fave go-to’s for flexibility, absolutely!
I’m doing a new build and love alabaster. Problem is my backsplash in my kitchen is already chosen and it is white! I’m worried alabaster would look too yellow with it. Can i do pure white cabinets and trim with alabaster walls throughout?
Author
Oooo Jamie, that makes me SUPER nervous as white tiles are ‘usually’ considerably more white than Alabaster and can serve to highlight the warmth of it. And yes, you could do Pure White Cabinets and trim with Alabaster walls, but I don’t know if I love the feel of it, it would depend on the countertop/flooring/other products.
I just had my kitchen cabinets painted and the woman was extremely persistent that we go with SW Extra White. I HATE it. I wish I would’ve read this post before I went with her suggestion. This was very informative. Do you think extra white can be toned down with wood accents? Or with a color on the walls?
Author
Oh Jenny, I’m sorry to hear that. Extra White is definitely a more strong, fresh, slightly cool white. And yes, get some wood tones in there and it will ABSOLUTELY help. And while painting the walls a warm colour might SEEM like the solution (naturally), they would fight with the cool tone of the cabinets. You might want a slightly cool, but not necessarily COLD colour to find a bit of a balance. If you’d like some suggestions, I do have an affordable AND fun E-Design service. This way I can take a look at photos of your home and help you problem solve it. I’ll give you 3 paint colours to choose from and will walk you through it (with no pressure ;). My goal is to help you find your happy place!
If that interests you, it sounds like you would be in the $45 Single room package, if the kitchen isn’t an in Open Layout. if it’s Open Layout, then it’s $85. Anyway, here’s the link if you’re curious! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Wow this is awesome. I learned so much!! We our building a house here in AZ. All the trim, doors, ceilings are SW Pure White. We really wanted white walls, but our builder gave us limited paint colors to pick between. The only light color is SW Egret White. Do you think this would be a mistake? I lean towards cool colors, and I can’t tell if Egret is cool or warm. It’s an open concept and our great room is open to the 2nd story. It faces north east. Are we making a mistake?
Author
Hi Kaela, Egret isn’t one I refer too much, simply because it’s unpredictable. It can be slightly warm or just slightly cool depending on the exposure/furnishings/trim colour/etc…off the top of my head, it’s not one of my faves…and it’s definitely an off-white, not a white, if that helps 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I’m in search for a white to paint my kitchen cabinets. Based on reading your excellent article, please advise whether Alabaster would be my best choice and would go best with the following colors throughout the kitchen (and house): Pure White SW7005 (used throughout the kitchen on trim, doors and wainscoting), Accessible Beige SW7036 and Tony Taupe SW7038 (both on walls). My floors are natural (“blond”) red oak.
Author
Ooo! If it were me, I wouldn’t mix my whites too much. I would be MUCH more inclined to keep going with the Pure White, so that you aren’t mixing things up too much. I mean, Alabaster and Pure White are compatible, but I worry that the Pure White will make the Alabaster look a touch dingy in comparison…
Hello!
I need some help. I love the “new” farmhouse style look. My exterior will be alabaster and I want my interior to be all white. Cabinets, trim, doors, walls. I have three options with my builder without doing upgrades. Shoji white, west highland white, and incredible white. What would you choose? Also what is the general rule of thumb when doing all white, in the kitchen…cupboards should match the counter tops or subway tile?? ????????♀️
Thanks.
Author
Hi Cordie, thank you for the note1 You’ll find that there’s quite a different between those whites. The thing is, there’s a LOT more to consider when picking the right white, like any extreme exposures in main rooms, flooring, countertop, fireplace stone, etc…I’d hate to just guess as that’s ALL it would be. I do refer questions like yours to my E-design which is affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/interior-paint-palettes/ And really, if the countertop and subway tile are well-coordinated, the white paint colour should match BOTH! 🙂
~Kylie
Thank you for this wonderful guide. I am doing a white cabinate kitchen, with a small amount of grey top, with SW Big Chill on the walls. My ceiling is SW Pure White. White trim could go with the Pure White, Extra White, or High Reflective when holding them next to it. Considering a grey painted island (SW Cityscape) with white top, Corion or granite , with some greys in it. Facing north has me worried. There is a large bay window. Will Pure White work ok? Or look to dingy? For the cabinets along the wall, upper and lower? Appliances are stainless. Floor is Nutmeg stained oak. Suggestions? Thank you!
Author
Oooo, that’s a lot of info in one comment! Generally with questions like this I do refer to my E-design, so I can actually see the space! If it were me, I might keep my whites consistent, so that I don’t have a cool white here, a warm white there, a dingy white there. I’m a big consistency fan with whites. I hope that helps!
Hi Kylie! You insights have been so helpful! We are wanting to paint our living area(farmhouse-one big room with kitchen, living, sitting and dining). Currently, it is Hathaway Gold by BM. We have a cathedral ceiling with stained wood. Although we have enjoyed the color, we are ready for a change and thought about painting the room Alabaster by SW. What are your thoughts? Also, the room faces the east. Thank You!
Author
Hi Sian! You’ll find that Alabaster will neutralize a bit more in that eastern light, whereas it would have warmed up to it’s normal warm off-white self in a south facing space…overall it will be a soft, subdued whiteish looking colour…
Hi Kylie! Your blog has been so helpful! We are thinking of painting our living room walls Alabaster by SW, Currently, The walls are painted in Hathaway Gold by BM. The ceilings are stained wood, and they are cathedral. It is actually one big open room(think farmhouse-living, dining, kitchen (kitchen cabinets are green and Uba Tuba countertops) and a sitting area in one). Our floors are stined in English Chesnut and the room faces the east. We do have a fireplace and several pops of color in the room.
Author
Well, I think that sounds lovely! You will find that Alabaster gets grayed out, compared to how it might be in a south facing room, but it is a lovely warm white – absolutely!
Hi Kylie,
I never knew choosing a white could be so overwhelming! Your site is SO incredibly helpful and has helped me narrow our choices down to 2 but I’m still a bit stuck. We are wanting to paint our kitchen cabinets and walls white with a charcoal (almost black) accent wall in the shared dining space. I’m debating between Pure White and High Reflective White. I want the color to really pop against the dark wall so I’m leaning towards HIgh Reflective White but wanted to know if you think it would be too white since our kitchen is pretty large and well lit with overhead and natural light. Which one would you recommend?
Author
Hi Amanda! I usually refer personal questions to my e-design, but without seeing the space, I can still say I’d probably lean toward Pure White. It will still be dynamic and high contrast, without being quite as stark…
Hi Kylie!
Love your blog! I need you precious advice about a “white” selection. We are planning to paint our entire main floor in SW Repose Gray. The kitchen opens to the living room, so we decided to pain it all over. Do you think SW Extra white would look good for our cabinets? or any other SW white color? I need to stay in the SW family. I’m trying to stay as modern & contemporary as possible into my transitional overall look kitchen, if that makes any sens. Our countertop is a “whitish/greyge” color and our backsplash is a calypso Interlocking tile in the shade of “whitish-very light grey” and our floor are dark grey.
Author
Hi Lisseth! When it comes to personal questions, I do like to refer to my E-design, so I can spend some time with the products you’ve picked and ‘want’ list. Extra White is lovely, it is a coool white and will fresh and crisp for sure!
This information is super helpful!!
What are your thoughts on Alabaster as an exterior color? I really wanted to go with BM white dove but my painter uses SW so hoping Alabaster might give the same look?
I’m choosing pure white for my interior walls and thinking of doing a light gray (maybe repose gray) on the interior doors… does that sound like a good idea to you?
Author
Hi Amanda! For an exterior, I would find Alabaster and White Dove similar enough. Try adding 4 ounces (per gallon) of white to Alabaster and it can clean it up a stitch. As for the interior, there are a lot of other things at play, like exposure, flooring, countertops, etc… so I’d totally be guessing. if you want me to take a good look at things I do have an affordable E-design service! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Amanda,
Did you go with Alabaster for your exterior? If you don’t mind please share a pic. =) Thanks.
I want to paint my south facing living room an off white by either BM or SW. I have a greige couch which I would like to appear more grey than beige and a grey and ivory rug. I want the room to look clean and somewhat warm without looking yellow and would like something that would pair nicely with the grey and greige colors of furniture. I have been staring at swatches for weeks to no avail, so any help would be much appreciated 🙂
Author
Hi Susie! When it comes to personal questions like yours I do need to refer to my E-design. I try to give as much info for free on my blog, but if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look! There are many types of grays and greiges, so I could suggest some off-whites, but if they have the wrong undertone for the type of gray you have (purple/green/blue/greige/warm) then you’re in big trouble! If you’d like to check out my packages they are affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hello, I am looking to paint my bathroom Sherwin Williams anew grey, and I was wondering your thoughts on using Sherwin Williams oxford white for my ceiling and cabinets? I have dark walnut trim throughout. Will this white work with anew grey as well as Sherwin Williams agreeable grey (which I am painting the rest of the house) too? If not, which white would you suggest? Thank you so much ????
Author
Hi Rachel, thank you for your question! I do try to give as much complimentary advice as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t work, sometimes you need me to have a closer look! This way I can see your countertop, flooring, exposure, etc… otherwise i’m TOTALLY just guessing! If that interests you, it’s affordable and fun! ~Kylie https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I am painting my LR/DR a creamy white.. The room is North facing, with 16′ wood panel ceiling. The woodwork
is very dark. The walls are currently are a gold/brown. I am considering SW CREAMY 7012. I haven’t seen you
suggestion this color, & yet I am told it is very popular. I appreciate your opinion. My thanks!!
Author
Hi Bonnie, actually I’m a HUUUGE fan of Creamy, I have it in the upper and lower floors of my own home – south and north facing! If you go into Kylie’s New Home, you’ll see some shots of it 🙂 Absolutely my fave creamy colour. Some find it a touch too light to be a ‘cream’. Others find it a wink too yellow or NOT yellow enough, so for you, it will just depend on the type of creamy look you’re going for!
Why doesn’t anyone seem to mention east and west facing rooms? We have an open kitchen living room combo with high ceilings with three big windows and a window door facing east and one window in the kitchen facing west so we get lots of light. Our cabinets are pure white and though the rest of our walls are Mindful Gray but I eventually want to repaint them white or at least a lighter gray or griege. So should I contrast the pure white with another white? In the evening, the cabinets with our lighting take on a yellowish hue at least in pictures. And I’ve read that the sun’s rays in the afternoon at their warmest are actually cool so I don’t want my walls to be too cool and crisp in the afternoon or two warm under artificial light.
Thank for your input!
Author
Hi Traci, I actually have a blog post about each of those exposures!
East: https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-east-facing-rooms/
West: https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-west-facing-rooms/
Hope that helps!
~Kylie
Hi There,
Help me please, I love your white posting and I really struggling as I have this 80’s interior trim throughout my whole house that would be too difficult to paint as they go with custom Pella window colors. The trim color is close to SW 6038 – Truly Taupe — I want to try to down play the trim as is it looks 80’s mauve gray and make it look more gray. Is there a white paint you could recommend. My house is south facing so it gets a tone of light. Right now I was thinking Delicate White from Pittsburgh Paints? Any help would be most appreciated.
Author
Hi Shaunna! Oooo, that Truly Taupe could be a tricky one! NowI do try to give as much helpful info on my blog, and if that doesn’t work, you might like to check out my E-design it is affordable and fun – this way I can look at photos of your space and spend some time with it! There’s more to consider, such as exposure, amount of natural light, furnishings, etc…and I don’t like to just guess! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
Hi Kylie,
Delete the comment about you saying that white is whiter than you at a hip-hop dance party. That’s racist and offensive.
Author
Thank you Misha – I had no idea! I thought I was referring to my lack of any kind of dance skills…my bad!
~Kylie
Your hip hop comment was neither racist or offensive. SMH.
Because of your intolerance to humor and this need to control everyone’s conversations, I wasn’t privy to her funny comment. Thanks a lot, Misha.
You don’t have the right to NOT be offended. We don’t have morality police in the USA, however, Iran just hired 2,000 more to their payroll in June. You should apply… wait, you’re a woman? Nevermind.
BTW, your demanding tone is rude and offensive, delete your comment.
My cabinets are from the factory and the color of them is Sherwin Williams Pure White. I really love Benjamin Moores White Dove because it’s not a stark of a white. Would it be odd to paint the ceilings, trim, and walls White Dove with the SW Pure White Cabinets?
Thanks,
Chrissie
Author
Welllll, if it were me – I might stick with Pure White…I mean maybe, if the trim isn’t too close to the cabinets????
This is a great write up! I am needing to paint all of the ceilings, doors, and trim in my 1928 bungalow. I am thinking Pure White is the way to go. Thanks so much!
Author
You are most welcome, thank you so much for letting me know!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
Love your posts and humor, reading for a while now, over and over and over again. My Renesaince men of many traits is also a painter and learning with me!
BUT I am in limbo-remodeling home and bought my be-loved be-veled subway. They are pretty darn white against alabaster cabinet sample I have. At SW store I was told today be-loved are the closest to extra white, but they were too busy too help me with other options. Kitchen is open but has North facing window!do you think I could get away with pure white?or simple white? Don’t have BM Store around, road trip needed, and I am truly amateur but it will drive me crazy if things would clash…yellow cabinets agains the backspash?or to stark? ouch!this is so hard! Could you please make a suggestion???I would be so grateful!Considering even ditching my white backsplash…
Author
Oh Basia, that is a tough one! I am also sensitive to mixing and matching whites and off-whites. If it were ME, it would bug me as the pretty darned white could quite well make the Alabaster cabinets look just a bit dingy in comparison. I bet Pure White would be closer and I’d be less nervous for sure as at least it is more white. And in the end, if you can’t get a match that you feel confident with, I’m sad to say I wouldn’t do it 🙁
I hope that helps and thank you for hanging on my site!
~Kylie
Thank you so much!!!!
Hi Kylie!
What SW white would you recommend for kitchen cabinets with gray veined quartz counter tops and dark brown bamboo flooring? Thanks!!!
Author
Hi Barbara! There are so many types of gray (blue/purple/green/warm/greige) that for me to guess would be just that – a guess! So, when it comes to personal questions there are SOOO many other things to consider – exposure, style of cabinet, warmth of the bamboo/etc…. The only way for me to give GOOD advice is via my E-Design, which is affordable and fun, especially just for 1 room! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!
What are your thoughts on Behr’s Swiss Cream (NOT to be confused with the popular Swiss Coffee)?
LOVE you site! You are incredibly helpful!
Sharon
Author
Hi Sharon! I actually try to keep most of my focus on BM and SW colours, as there are SO many other brands at some point my brain would max out, so, unfortunately, I’m not that helpful when it comes to Behr colours!
That makes sense! Brain OVERLOAD!!
Thanks for your response!
Thanks for your description of extra white. Our builder only offers shoji, simple, & alabaster as the builder grade paint with extra white to normally only be a trim color. We are asking them to do everything in extra white. We are building a modern/industrial townhome getting most of its light from the west. We got to see shoji & simple in the models and they just ended up looking dingy in the corners and darker areas of the home.
Hi Kylie,
Thank you for doing the homework for the 4 best SW white paints, however most of your comments are negative towards rooms facing North. My place faces North. I have a light whitish beige wood floor and a dark gray couch I want to keep it white…which SW white paint and sheen would be best? Thank you. Helen
Author
Hi Helen! Well, north facing light is tricky and when it comes to white, it’s just not the easiest to put in there! North facing light is one of the more challenging exposures for paint colours – even though I now live in a north facing lovely home myself!
My husband and I are building a house and after reading your blog I think we have decided to paint the whole house Alabaster white. Would you recommend doing the trim the same or another white color? And do you have a favorite brown color for the front door?
Thank you!
Author
Hi Lauren, with Alabaster you can definitely do it the same OR ask them to add 4 ounces of white to each gallon. This cleans it up a stitch and also improves the coverage, as you will find that SW whites don’t cover well…at all. for this reason you might want to do a primer coat first and save a 3rd or possibly 4th coat of paint – primer is cheaper! As for the front door, I actually have my E-design service for that and have the perfect package for you here! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/product-category/exterior-paint-palettes/ This way I can look at your siding/roof/stone/etc… otherwise it’s a wild guess!
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
I painted my walls SW Alabaster and planned on painting my baseboards SW Extra White, which are Frazee Swiss Coffee. My painter alerted me that if I don’t paint the doors and trim in the extra white, there will be a vast difference. Especially because the Swiss Coffee is very dingy looking next to Alabaster. Is there any other white I could use on just the baseboards that will pop with the Alabaster and look good with the doors. Painting the doors and trim would be a huge expense and I’d like to avoid that. Or, do you think I can paint Baseboards extra white and have the trim and doors Swiss coffee?
Thank you!!!’
Author
Hi Monica, unfortunately, I’m not at all familiar with Frazee Swiss Coffee, but knowing whites as i do, I would agree with your painter – it’s not a good idea to mix n’ match whites from trims to doors! It would mean you basically have 3 whites all within one spot and I definitely wouldn’t do it…
I love this post! We are building a daylight basement apartment for my mom. She has chosen Sherwin Williams sky high, a very light, cool blue for every room walls and wants white trim. Are there 1000 whites?! Wow. We were leaning toward Pure White, but your write up seems like Extra White may be more what she’s looking for since she wants a cool white to pick up the blue. Am I on the right track? Your finish article is so helpful too. I will ask for eggshell on walls, satin on trims and flat on ceilings. Will do same white for trim, ceilings and doors. Your site is wonderful!
Author
Perfect, sounds like you have it all figured out – good job!
Hi Kylie,
We are building a small farmhouse in Naples, Florida with the front facing SE. Our builder uses only SW and unfortunately we have to choose the paint color before the sheetrock is up (hmmm) and the cabinets don’t have many white options. We want the farmhouse neutral but we have to paint the entire interior house the same color. I want to use your Edesign and wanted to know if that service would work for our situation?
Author
Hello hello, you bet it would work! I consult ALL the time on new construction. I have a great questionnaire and you can send along any info re: countertops/tile/etc…
I would love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I am less than a month away from a major remodel. The kitchen counter is Montgomery by Cambria. The cabinets will be white and Simply White by BM is all the rave. But my contractor uses SW. Personally I feel that Simply White has warm tones and I want cool tones but not contemporary. It is a condo on the Gulf but the kitchen does not get much natural light. Extra White looks great with the quartz but it just feels too stark. Pure White feels a bit warmer and Alabaster looks too creamy. The condo is not formal. Casual cool feel with brown floors and natural tones for the furniture. Thanks for your comments
Author
Hi Gina, thank you for your note! When it comes to questions like yours, I actually created an Edesign business – this way I can look at photos/questionnaire and come up with ideas that work, otherwise I’m TOTALLY guessing on what things look like on your end! It is affordable and fun! If you find that the complimentary blog post info isn’t working, it might be the next step! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi, Kylie. Your blog is so helpful. Thank you so much for putting this information out there. I’m painting the exterior of my house white with dark grey trim. It’s a pretty decent size 2 story house with siding.. I’m looking for a crisp, clean white that is bright but one that still has a little warmth and is not glaring. . We live in the south so get a ton of bright sunshine., We would like something that is less creamy/yellow than SW Alabaster or BM White Dove but a little less stark than SW Pure White and BM Chantilly Lace. Our top contenders right now are SW Snowbound and BM White Heron. I’m wondering whether you’ve used either of these and, if so, what your thoughts are for these colors on the exterior. Thanks in advance for your help!
Author
Hi Marisa, thank you for your note and compliments! When it comes to questions like yours, I actually created an Edesign business – this way I can look at photos/questionnaire and come up with ideas that work, otherwise I’m TOTALLY guessing on what things look like on your end! It is affordable and fun! If you find that the blog post info isn’t working, it might be the next step! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I’m painting my living room. I want to go more light and neutral but my furniture and decor are gold and warm tones (brown). My walls are SW blonde currently. What is a suggestion to match with my current furnishings? I looked at SW Navajo white but I’m afraid it is too yellow.
Author
Hi Molly, thank you for your note! I actually have an Edesign business that I’ve created for questions just like yours! I try to give as much free info as i can on my blog posts, but if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look. Then, I can look aty our room, furniture, exposure, etc… otherwise I’m 100% guessing! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
We just re-sided our house with Certainteed “Charcoal gray” (and, I’m not sure I like it) we need to update the trim and hopefully that will help. I’m worried white will look too “stark” any suggestions on off-white/cream color or do you think something else would pair better?
Thanks!
Author
Hi Jamie, thank you for your note! I actually have an Edesign business that I’ve created for questions like yours! I try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog posts and if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look, this way I can see your windows, stonework, roof, etc…otherwise I’m totally guessing!
https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie!!! I love all the info you give, you have been My go to for years on paint colors! But I’m stumped…Question…trying to decide on color for trim and wainscoting. Currently it is peppercorn and it’s too modern for me. Trying to make it a bit more modern farmhouse (and I’m also doing this a few states away…so a little difficult). House gets tons of natural light. Anyways….
Wall color: colonnade grey
ceiling color: extra white
Floors: engineered hardwoods in graphite (mostly a darker gray with some wood tones)
Should I do the trim and wainscoting in Extra white semi gloss or reflective light semi-gloss?
I have white shaker style cabinets and dark grayish granite. Hope this give you some ideas on the look. Thank you in advance for your help!
Author
Hi Jena! I would absolutely match the white to the kitchen cabinets so that the undertones are consistent. It’s easy for one white to make another look too dirty/yellow/blue/etc…!
Hi Kylie,
I stumbled upon your site as I am doing research on which white color to pick for the interior of my new home. The home does not get the best natural light as we are surrounded by some trees. So at some points throughout the day, it appears darker than usual. So we want to brighten up the house! I was thinking high reflective white throughout but after reading your post, I fear that it could be too bright. Any suggestions on other types of white paint to use?
Author
Hi CJ! High Reflective White is great, but it is ‘pretty darned white’. Personally, I like the idea of SW Pure White as it does have a tiny touch of softness while still acting considerably white. I also like the softer approach of BM White Dove! (and btw, I do have a blog post on the best BM white paint colours too, if that helps 🙂
Hi Kylie,
Have you ever mixed half Pure White and half High Reflective White? I would like to amp up Pure White but cut some of the reflective quality of High Reflective White.
Thanks!
Author
Now I’ve never done that but one thing you CAN do is ask them to add 4 ounces of white to the gallon, this can clean it up JUST slightly, while still keeping the ‘main idea of it’. That would be my best thought, the only negative is that they can’t do it in a sample pot 😉
Got so much out of your blog – I will be looking to hire you shortly. Seems like our timing is off and you are on vacation.
I took what I could from the blog info.
And paint is like hair dye – you can always change it.
After the major problems I have had with my construction project just having my family back in my house will be great
I think my kids would be OK with purple walls and green polka dots
enjoy your vacation
Love your paint reviews and explanations, thanks so much!! Would love your opinion on this – we just purchased a house with beautiful wainscoting in the formal dining room. Currently, the wainscoting is painted a yellowish color and the walls above are the same. We’re hoping to paint the wainscoting white and the top part of the walls navy blue, so far our favorite navy shade is SW Commodore. Someone mentioned to me that it’s best to use a slightly off-white for the wainscoting but I’m worried that it won’t look as crisp – I’m also worried that if I do that, I’m married to using that color for the crown molding and the trim in the formal living room attached to the dining room, which I don’t really want to do. I really want to stick with our go-to white, SW Pure White for the wainscoting. Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!!
Author
Hi Lily! Well, I’m a HUGE fan of Pure White, especially for a crisp clean, but not ENTIRELY harsh look, as Pure White has one weeee little ounce of yellow in it. I WOULD be inclined to keep all of my trims/moldings the same white though, for consistency, otherwise you can have clashing undertones or one whit can make another look more yellow/gray/dingy/blue/etc… 🙂
Hi Kylie,
Thanks for your insights and reviews – they helped us a lot!
We purchased a house and were researching/sampling neutral colors for almost two months. We short-listed 2 candidates for the last couple of weeks and your review helped to choose the winner – SW Alabaster 🙂
We plan to pain the whole house with it: Basement, 1st & 2nd floor, both walls and ceilings.
We were planning to do both walls and ceilings at Eggshell but read in one of your comment responses that it is better to use Flat on ceilings. Should we do that with Alabaster too? Thank you!
Author
Hi Tigran, you’ve got it right, I would do the ceiling in flat – it’s more forgiving 😉
Hello! Deciding between SW pure white or SW alabaster for exterior. It is a traditional farmhouse wrap around porch etc. lots of landscaping. Wanting to add gray shutters also with a traditional stained door. Suggestions? Thank you!
Author
Hi Tara! Pure White is a more clean, white look whereas Alabaster has a softness to it. If you have northern or eastern exposure, Alabaster might be a wink nicer…I also have an E-design service for questions like yours if you’d like me to take a look! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I found you when trying to figure out a white to paint my kitchen cabinets – you are awesome! I live in a townhouse; interior unit. There is a bit of natural light from the window in the kitchen nook and then off the kitchen (separated by a wall w/a cut-through) there is a dining room window – but overall actual cooking/cabinet part of kitchen gets minimal light.
My countertops are a dark Formica that are in good shape and I’m leaving for now ($$). Walls are BM Ice Cube Silver (I like cool grays – I don’t understand how anyone can look at agreeable gray, anew gray, etc. and see gray- to me they are beige bordering on brown w/some green…!). The island is espresso. I’m pretty sure the garage and pantry doors as well as the baseboards are either SW Extra White or Pure White (can’t decide, even after having paint chips taped to door and looking in various lights). I like a cool, somewhat stark, clean look (no yellow or beige undertones at all). So…can I use one of these for my cabinets – and which do you suggest?! Thx much!!
Author
Hi Judy! So, it’s hard to say for sure without seeing your countertops, but I can get a reasonable idea knowing you have Ice Cube Silver – which tells me we really just need a brighter white. Now personally, i’m a fan of Pure White as it acts like white without being quite as stark/icy. However, if you put it with a clean white (ie: Extra White) you WILL see the difference. I wonder if you need to check out SW HIgh Reflective White – in between the 2! And normally I just refer questions like yours to my E-design, but you caught me at just the right time! I hope that helps 🙂
Hi Kylie! We love your blog! So helpful!
We have finally decided on painting the majority of our house (open concept) SW Repose Gray. We have narrowed it down to either Alabaster or Pure White for our cabinets/trim/doors, but can’t decide which! We LOVE the look of Alabaster, but we are worried it will be too dingy/yellow. However, we don’t want anything too stark/bright. Which do you think would work best with repose? Our kitchen is south facing and does have trees right outside the windows. Finally, would you put whichever white is chosen for cabinets/trim/doors on ceilings as well, or go with another ceiling white?
Thank you so much!
Author
Hi Heather! How about Alabaster with 4 ounces of white added to each gallon, this can clean it up JUUUUST SLIGHTLY. Otherwise, check out BM White Dove 🙂
Thank you!! Also, would you use the same white as cabinets/trim/doors on ceiling as well or another “ceiling white”?
Thank you!
Heather
Heather! What did you decide to do? Did you go with the Alabaster w/ 4 oz of white? Was that hard for your painter to get mixed? I’m curious about your cabinets/trim and doors. Please let me know as we are moving forward quickly.
Thank you! Cathy
Hello Kylie,
I am so impressed with your color sensitivity! We just painted our walls SW Oxford White and I feel like it’s looking almost like a light purple! It is in a south facing room and I’m thinking we need to repaint it is pure white after reading this! Thank you!
Author
Ooo light purple, that’s a first! If you have ‘not white’ trim that could maybe encourage that. Strange. And yes, I think Pure White could be the fix – it’s pretty awesome…
Looking for a SW color to paint the walls of our mudroom (trim is BM white dove). Lots of natural light through the windows. Floors are grey slate and reclaimed wood benches. Looking for just a calm airy beachy feeling as you walk in. Would you do same white dove in different sheen or a different white? Thank you
Author
Hi Laura! Without seeing your room I can’t make a good go of it, I’d 100% be guessing! I mean, I MIGHT lean toward White Dove in a different sheen, but I wouldn’t do a different white – I know that. And short of that, I might do a soft light blue/green. If you’d like me to take a look, I do have an affordable E-design service though that is fun. This way I can look at your room and make suggestions that actually make sense! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi there, thanks for your post on which whites are best and where. It is super helpful. We are getting ready to order wood siding and we have chosen SW Gris and now are trying to decide what white to go with for the trim? Thoughts? I like the warmth of Alabaster but I also want the grey to pop.
Author
Hi Andrea, take a look at SW Pure White see if it’s a reasonable happy medium (although it’s more white than not…) 🙂
THanks! I will check it out. Thanks so much for the prompt reply. I’m looking forward to following your blog.
We’re building a modern farmhouse, interior all alabaster. However, I’m wanting to paint my powder a bit dramatic, unexpected. Ceilings are 10′, thinking of 6′ Alabaster on lower and Iron Ore on remaining 4′. Would love your honest opinion. What color for ceiling?
Thanks for sharing all your expertise!
Bonnie
Author
Hi Bonnie! I might make sure that there’s wainscoting/beadboard or even subway tile on the bottom to add some interest and it’s hard to say without knowing what the flooring/countertop/etc… are. It sounds COOL, but I think you’ll need some texture on the bottom walls (I would do the Iron Ore on the ceiling 🙂
Hope that helps!
Thank you, Kylie – you have helped so much. Much appreciated.
Thank you for your prompt reply. You’re awesome! : – )
Author
YOu are MOST welcome!
Hi there. What is a nice white to paint kitchen cabinets with. I painted my walls alabaster already. I like a nice clean white kitchen. Doing white subway tile and white quartz countertops with the gray streaking in it. Which white from sherwin Williams will go the best with the quartz
Author
Hi Amy, without seeing your home/quartz it’s just a guess, but you could check out SW PUre White. I wouldn’t go too stark white with Alabaster walls as Alabaster could make the cabinets look too icy…
You’re great! and very patient! I’ve read from beginning to end. I hope I have a quick question for you. We “plan” on painting our walls Alabaster, and kitchen cabinets/doors/trim Pure White. It sounds like the 2 whites compliment one another? However, would you suggest Alabaster or Pure White for ceilings in this scenario? Thank you in advance!
Author
Hi Lee! I would do the Pure White – for sure 🙂
Hi! Your blog is great. Thank you! I’m hoping you can help me pick a good paint color for my new office. There is one ice block window that faces east, so there is some natural light, but it’s quite dark still during the day. My hope is to not use the overhead fluorescent lights, and instead bring in a bunch of lamps.The carpet is medium to dark brown and has some sheen to it. The ceiling is your tip typical off white drop ceiling panels with speckles. I would like to pick something that feels really fresh, and was considering some version of white or neutral, but I’m really struggling since I won’t have a chance to swatch anything. Can you help? I don’t want it to feel drab on one extreme or clinical on the other. I appreciate your suggestions!
Author
Hi Katie! Due to the number of emails I get every day, I have to pick ‘n choose which questions to answer, focusing first on the ones that have mass appeal! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look with my E-design. Otherwise, I’m just guessing as to what all is really happening in the room! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I hope to hear from you!
~Kylie
Excellent write up! Quick question…..We are painting our bathroom white and all the hardware is oil rubbed bronze. The vanity is an espresso color. What would be a nice white for that. It faces east so I don’t think any issues there, correct?
Thanks so much!
Eric
Author
Hi Erica, it TOTALLY depends on your countertop, flooring and tile. I mean I can throw BM Simply White or White Dove at you, but without knowing the rest, they are only guesses! The most SAFE bet would be SW High Reflective White – it’s pretty darned white!
Hi Kylie,
I’m painting my sun room (11’ high) SW naval walls on top of 4’ 1/2 foot high wainscoting, with BM White Dove semi gloss trim , what color white paint should i use for the
Wainscoting? I appreciate your time & talent.
Thank you
Author
Oooo absolutely the White Dove – 100%!
Hi Kylie! Wow, all of your info is super impressive.. So helpful!! 🙂 Wondering your opinion on choosing a white ceiling paint when the walls are also white. I’m not sure about how ‘matchy’ to be? We have a very open concept, modern style house with lots of windows.. trying to keep it fresh and airy, without be too stark. Kitchen cabinets are BM Simply White, and we chose Simply White for the walls as well (to avoid mixing whites too much). Our painter wants us to choose a SW paint for the ceiling.. is SW Pure White a good choice for ceilings? And do you usually suggest doing the interior doors and trim the same as the ceiling colour?
Author
Hi Jenny, I’m most inclined to keep my whites consistent, so that I’m not mixing undertones. If I were to switch up, I might keep it more simple and bright with SW High Reflective White…or I’d just ask SW to colour match Simply White – just make sure they you check the colour match before it goes up!
Hi Kylie,
Great article! I’m having to “redo” and paint my 10 foot ceilings in the kitchen and living room as my electrician put his foot through the ceiling while installing recessed lighting. My sheetrock guy (that just redid the ceilings a few months ago due to remodel) has a special blend of white ceiling color specifically for his company from SW. However, it is not a bright white. My floors are dark and I was thinking a brighter white would look better. What white do you suggest that goes with everything? Thanks!
Hi Kylie,
Thank you for your recommendation of pure white trim and ceiling with Duck White walls for our farmhouse. My mom likes it so much she’s doing it too! Now I’m choosing an exterior white. The trouble I’m running into is that, because the house will sit along on the top of a rise on the farm, it will be visible from every direction. Do you think Pure White is the most versatile white in all lighting for a traditional farmhouse (black shutters, red door, dark charcoal roof, tin porches)? I’m a little nervous to go high reflective white…. The house is surrounded by green (fields & trees) and will reflect green April-October. I’m stuck doing only SW colors, BM is not an option–sadly.
Thanks!
If you have an opinion on the black for the shutters I’d love that too!
Sarah
So none of those look good in a North facing room. What white would? Our living room is mostly north with some west/east windows. Thanks!
Author
Hi Amanda, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design as I can get dozens of questions in a single day! I try to give as much helpful free info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look, otherwise, I’m totally just guessing as to what your room REALLY looks like. If you’re interested, the link is here, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
I also have a blog post re: Can I Paint My North Facing Room White, which you might find helpful! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/ask-kylie-can-i-paint-my-north-facing-room-white-or-off-white/
iI so enjoy your blog. You answer directly and comprehensively, not everyone does that and it’s very appreciated! So of course now I have a question 🙂 I’m painting my whole 1970s house white. One room flows into the next and so I want to keep it consistent. The trims Will be the same white, different sheen. I want a clean white with the most minute iota of warmth. I’ve read your blog and all the comments and I’m still a bit lost. Any thoughts are appreciated. Because it’s the whole room , The exposures are different. The walls and everything is white now and appear very dingy. So I want nothing with a gray undertone or green undertone. Clean is best. But again, slightly warm. Thank you so much!
Author
Hi Randy, when it comes to personal questions, I do refer to my E-design! I try to give as much helpful free info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, it might be time for a closer look, otherwise, I’m totally just guessing as to what your room REALLY looks like. If you’re interested, the link is here, I’d love to help! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/ HOWEVER…check out SW Pure White 😉
~Kylie
I am getting ready to paint ALL of my ceilings, doors and trim! Its going to be a huge job. I bought high reflective white over a year ago and tried it and snowbound on a back door to our garage. I’m gradually switching over all rooms to the cooler side as we’ve had 20 years of warm tones and are ready for a change. I just did a Google search on HRWhite and found your blog entry. You’ve described HRWhite just as I would. After living with what now looks like dingy ceilings doors and trim, I’m looking forward to really white! Thanks for your post.
Author
That’s great feedback, thank you Linda!
Linda,
have you painted yet? We are about to get brand new kitchen cabinets and I am frozen with fear about the color….AND that’s after hiring a local color consultant. She told me I could go either way: Sherwin Williams Pure White or Extra White. I’m stuck. I have to tell the painters by Monday.
I’m about to paint an east facing room white. I want the trim and ceiling to be very white and the walls to be a tone slightly different. I see a lot of advice on North/south facing rooms but not much on East facing rooms. My painter will use Sherwin-Williams paint so do you have any suggestions?
Author
Hi Michelle, I actually have an entire blog post dedicated to East Facing Rooms right here! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-east-facing-rooms/
If that doesn’t help, it might be time for me to take a closer look, which is where I’d refer you to my Edesign! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
What’s a good white/off white that will corner up to agreeable grey but has bright white basboards. It’s for a stairway, so not he best lit area? Shoji White looked dingy..
Author
Hi Jessica, you might want to check out Incredible White for consistency… 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I am going remodeling my house and going with white cabinets in the kitchen. The dining room and living room are all kind of connected. Do you think I should paint the walls the same white as the cabinets? If so, which white would you go with? The rooms are fairly small and somewhat dark. Also, I want to go with a mostly white countertop and backsplash maybe with some grey.
Author
Hi Jenny, thank you for your note! I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog posts and if that doesn’t help, I do have an affordable e-design service! This way I can look at your home/lighting/furnishings and come up with some real solutions, rather than just guessing! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie! I was just wondering why Alabaster would likely go flat in a north facing room? If you are looking for a soft white with depth for a north facing room (kitchen cabinets) do you have to go with something with a lower LRV to prevent that flat look (something like Shoji White?) . I hate the yellow that comes out when you go too creamy and just wondering if there’s a happy medium for north facing rooms that give depth without the yellow. Thanks!
Kylie I
I know this is a older comment board
But was wondering does snowbound have a pink undertone.’
I have made samples but don’t see pink
Yet read where others say it has pink
Your thoughts
Thank you struggling with white
Nancy
Author
Hi Nancy, I find that it can pick up a wink of purple, but a softer, warmer purple. A southern exposure might enhance this and warm it up a bit too 😉
Hi Kylie, just out of curiosity, if I were wanting to paint my whole house interior one white and one trim color – regardless of direction of light – what would that color combo be? Not too warm or cold with the right amount of “crispness.” Is this possible? Alabaster or creamy? Dove white?
Author
Hi Lee! If I were to pick THE one white…it would have to be BM White Dove 🙂
What color do you recommend for trim and doors with alabaster as the wall paint?
Thanks
Author
Hi Jill, I would recommend using Alabaster and letting the change in paint sheen do the shifting. You could look at SW Pure White, but I’m definitely not a fan of mixing whites and would stick with Alabaster myself. Or at the most, have them add 4 ounces of white to the gallon, just to freshen it up a stitch.
Just came across your website while looking at ‘white’ paints for a new build. The cabinet company uses SW Alabaster and Bright White. Is there a wall, trim, and ceiling SW color in the white family that you think is a great combo with either of those for kitchen and great room? Thanks for the color education!
Appreciate the info! I had been debating between Pure White and Alabaster and narrowed it down to Pure White for my exterior trim. Great info, keep it up! Thanks 🙂
Author
I’m glad it was handy- thank you for letting me know!
Hi –
Thanks you for all the information on SW Whites! If choosing a white for the walls, do you typically recommend using the same color – in a different sheen – for the trim and ceiling? I see from your posts that it may not be a great idea to mix the whites… Please advise… And thank you !!
Author
Hi Christy, you BET, that is exactly what I’d do! I’m always hesitant to mix n’ match whites/undertones. This way you can let the sheen do the subtle shifting for you… 🙂
My daughter, who is a decorator, has convinced me to use SW pure white on everything, with flat for ceilings, eggshell for walls and semigloss for trims. My cabinets are also pure white. I use lots of blue and whites in my decor, but I’m afraid the house will seem too stark white. Paint just scares me.
Author
Hi Sandy, if you want an all-white look, that is a GREAT way to do it, but if you DON’T – then you aren’t going to be happy. And there are soft white likes BM White Dove, which can sometimes be a bit more liveable, whereas Pure White has a wink of softness, but not much and could be cool if you have northern light. It all depends on countertops/flooring/tile/exposures, but maybe you want to look at a white with a BIT of colour in it???
What color would you suggest for a tiny bit of glowing but not yellow , white for walls?
Author
Hmmm, we’ll as soon as I hear the word glowing, there needs to be at least a bit of yellow, so I’d probably hit BM Simply White, but really, it’s hard to avoid the yellow in any type of warm white!
I’m trying to choose an exterior soft white paint. I’ve narrowed it down to Alabaster and Shoji White. The home resembles a farm house. The guy at Sherwin Williams said that Alabaster will appear very white on the exterior so now I’m confused. I want a warm soft white. The main parts of the home face south and east.
Thank you,
Julie
Author
Hi Julie, I have to say that Alabaster is the EPITOME of a warm soft white. If you go darker, you’ll be in the off-white range, not the ‘soft white’ range and the undertones can be a bit more noticeable. There is a local home done in SW Creamy and personally I find it too yellow (and it’s south facing). Maybe ask to see Alabaster darkened by 25%, adding just a touch more body to it…
We are changing our color scheme from warm colors to white. Our floors are dark hickory hardwood and or gold travertine would you suggest sw pure white or sw alabaster. I have rooms with all exposures. Thanks,
Author
Hi Alicia, I would lean MORE towards Alabaster, but that is without seeing your home. Pure White might just be a wink too sharp for the gold travertine.
Hi , love your blog. We have painted repose gray in north facing kitchen eat in area and living room. I currently have alabaster trim & bookcases but want to go slightly more white without going too stark. We are repainting trim and kitchen cabinets and want a white backsplash. Would you suggest pure white for trim and cabinets or alabaster with 4 oz. White added?
Thanks you, painters come this week and I am paralyzed !!
Author
Hi Jennifer, I’m a BIG fan of SW Pure White, I just did a blog post on it, you should check it out 🙂 It’s lovely with REpose too for a nice clean look and it will be MUCH easier to find a backsplash to coordinate with it compared to Alabaster which is softer/warmer 🙂
Thank you so much for the quick response!! Just finished post for. Pure White. It sounds like what I am looking for but because these are north facing rooms, I decided to change to repose to agreeable gray to avoid the blue undertones I noticed in some areas. I definitely want a change from the alabaster and think I like pure white quite a bit but haven’t seen it terribly large scale like it will be on my cabinets. I see you also love BM White Dove. Would this be a better white for cabinets and trim throughout? I will still have white backsplash. Basically I am deciding whether to go with pure white or white dove but dont know which would be better after reading your posts . Thx again!!
I’ve so enjoyed reading this thread, Kylie! Great insight! We are renovating our house and decided on Pure White for kitchen cabinets/trim/ceiling. The kitchen opens into a new great room build with vaulted ceiling with rafters and built-ins next to a shiplap fireplace. My question is . . .do I carry Pure White to the ceiling, built-ins, & shiplap so that the space is unified with the same white paint? Would you paint the rafters in semi since its an architectural detail? Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! 😉
Author
Hi Jennifer – absolutely! I’m a big fan of consistency with white!
Hello! Just stumbled across your website… thank you! Our home has popular gray, versatile gray, and tempered gray (valspar color). We are painting our celings, doors, and trim white next week. After reading above, I am leaning toward pure white or extra white. The current trim looks like a cream color and some tends to look yellow… so I definitely do not want that. Any thoughts?
Author
Hi Glenda, I would lean towards Pure White as it’s a wink softer…
Main house interior is Accessible Beige. Which white trim color will go best? Our options are extra or pure. Thanks.
Author
Hi Laurel, I’d hit Pure White 🙂
Thinking of painting exterior of my house sw dovetail. Do you think eider white would look good for the trim? I’m trying to bring out more of the grays in dovetail. Thanks, Robin
Author
Hi Robin, Eider White is beautiful. It is an off-white slightly warm gray with a vague purple undertone, so as long as you’re cool with that, you’re good. It can also depend on your window colours and any stone/brick as some people do prefer a white like Pure White with Dovetail.
We have a transitional style brick home and just bought GE Café Appliances in the new MATTE WHITE with Brushed Bronze handles for a total kitchen remodel project. The ovens also have some black glass and stainless on the range top, as well as the golden bronze toned handles.
By testing tons of paint chips against the appliances, I found the closest matching white color to use for our white cabinets was Sherwin Williams SW 7005 PURE WHITE. I was delighted to later find your article saying Pure White was able to go with either cool or warm tones, which is exactly what I wanted. We have medium tone red oak floors, and prefer the warmer tones, but noticed the preference trend of younger buyers is for the cooler tones. So we figured a basic palette that could go either way was safest for potential resale later.
We are getting a Vicostone quartz counter called MISTERIO (white marble look with subtle gray and brown veining, a Carrara style vein), to help tie in the warm oak floors with the white cabinets, black glass/grates (and a black Blanco under mount single sink), and the gray stainless on the cooktop beneath the black grates. That clearly puts us in your “low contrast” white kitchen palette– which I noticed in another interesting article you wrote on white kitchens.
The hardest part has been finding cabinet hardware to match the newer “Brushed Bronze” handles on the appliances, another warm tone. The only faucet we could find to match well was a DELTA TRINSIC in “Champagne Bronze”. The only cabinet hardware close to the appliance handles and faucet color found to date is ATLAS HOMEWARES “Champagne”, and the best matching style we liked was their “Sutton Place” design.
Do you know of any other cabinet hardware in a color that matches the GE Café Matte White brushed bronze handles & the Delta “Champagne Bronze” faucet that might look better in such a kitchen design, or possibly a better white paint to match the Matte White appliances and other items?
Thanks so much for your very informative site!
Author
Hi Lee, I’m glad you found my site helpful and it sounds like you’re doing an AMAZING remodel! And I wish I had some good leads on the champagne style hardware for you, but I don’t!!
Great information on your website – Thank you! I am looking for a BM White that is the closest match to SW Pure White. Thanks so much!
Author
Hi Deanna! I wish there was one that was bang-on! My best thought would be Oxford White… And I’ve tried to have BM match Pure White before, but they couldn’t hit it as the companies use different paint bases, which really throws things.
Hi Kylie, I love your blogs. Please help me decide ….. need to paint a bathroom that doesn’t have any windows, shiny almond/ivory tile with white tub and sink. Cabinet is oak right now but I am thinking of staining it a very dark expresso. For the walls…… do you like Alabaster, West Highland white…. or what would you suggest????
Thank you very much,
Nancy
I recently discovered your blog and I love it! I have already had a few questions that completely exhausted my brain answered, or at least made me feel better that I wasn’t the ONLY one. So, I have a west facing home and after 15 greys, yep, 15, finally chose Repose Grey. I needed a color that could go through from the westerly facing rooms straight through the middle to the easterly facing rooms and not completely change color like 20 times. It turned out to be the one we like the most in every room. It was bad! To the point that my husband suggested painting the rainbow of 15 stripes that I had painted in multiple areas of our house throughout. I am on the trim and doors. I found a color I love but I am stuck on whether it is too warm, so I thought I would ask your opinion since you have this color thing down to a science. The color is SW – Greek Villa. Do you have any experience with it before I paint every door, trim and piece of moulding in my house this color? I opted to steer away from the bright white color simply because the builder used High Gloss Extra White on everything and it made it look cheap. We are changing the hardware to oil rubbed bronze and eventually the floors to a darker hardwood or tile that looks like hardwood. The SW – Repose Grey is the entire middle of the house with 12 foot ceilings.
Author
Hi Jen! So you’re thinking of Repose Gray with Greek Villa? DON’T DO IT!!!! Greek Villa is toooo warm. If it were me, I’d hit up SW Pure White which IS white, but not as stark as traditional builder whites 🙂
I am a new fan! Just read your blog and I love it. You are really good at explaining what we see in colors. I spent the past few years recommending colors in the Agreeable Gray to Accessible Beige range, but this year, I am loving white. Thanks for helping me see a bit deeper into a few of the choices. ????????????
Author
Hi Rebecca, these are just the types of comments that I love to get – THANK you 🙂
Hi Kylie!
We are looking to repaint everything. Ceilings, trim, walls. I am leaning towards doing everything in Pure White and then adding an accent wall here or there after we settle in and buy furniture for all the spaces. The house does not get a lot of natural night and the formal living room has very tall ceilings. Do you think doing everything (ceilings, trim, walls) the same color (different sheens) throughout the house will work?
Thanks for your input!
Author
Hi Sarah, you BET! I just did this exact thing in a local home -cabinets, walls, trims, doors, ceilings – all Pure White with some beautiful feature walls and feature cabinets – go for it!
Hi Kylie, I was thinking about painting my east facing kitchen, dining, and family room White Duck, but some of the online pictures I’ve seen of this color seem to lean towards a light peachy tan. Maybe just a computer translation issue, but I’m going for just a light cream (probably not as yellow a SW Creamy) that will slightly contrast with whiter trim. What are your thoughts on SW Greek Villa? I haven’t seen you write about it. Thanks for all your help, I love your posts!
Hi Kylie. Great information. I am getting ready to paint my small kitchen all white including ceiling, trim, walls, cabinets. The floor and backsplash is reddish toned brick with dark gray grout. What SW white would you recommend to go with the brick? The living room next to the kitchen has Eider white in it and I also love Alabaster. Also, what do you think about painting the brick backsplash white too? I appreciate your time.
Hi Kylie, Your site is amazing. Best I have found! We are moving into a condo on a high floor with a lot of windows and natural light. The floors are a medium honey walnut. I am planning on painting the walls SW sky high. Which SW white wold you suggest for the trim and ceilings. I do not like a yellow or cream tint to the white. I know someone else previously asked you about what white to sue with sky-high walls but I wanted to revisit since our condo has a lot of windows and natural light.
Thanks so much.
Hi Kylie, I am leaning toward Natural Choice for my North facing downstairs family room. One lighter red brick wall, dark beams on ceiling and same for mantle. Can’t decide on trim white, pure white or extra white.
Author
Oooo, I’m loving Pure White…
Hi Kylie! Just found your blog. So helpful! I am painting over a mossy green color in my north-facing kitchen/family room. The trim is already Pure White, which will remain the same. My dilemma is what color to paint the walls. I want to go neutral but am not sure if I should do a white or off-white. Should it contrast with the Pure White trim or be more of a white match? I’d appreciate your advice! Fyi, the kitchen cabinets are light maple and the family room furniture is in the warm family of colors.
Thanks,
Linda
We are purchasing a beach home and want to redo the interior paint. The 2 story family room faces north towards the bay and has a large palladium window. I was thinking of using Alabaster but now I’m worried about it looking drab as you mentioned it may in north facing rooms. Any other suggestions of a nice neutral white/off white for a whole house color? Btw…. absolutely adore your sense of humor, style, and expert color wisdom!! I’ve learned so much from reading your posts. Thank you for educating us all!
Hello Kylie! I’m from Argentina and I love your post and videos.
I’ve paint my living room with Wool Skein. I love it depending on the light, becouse it turn green at some places.
Which white woud yo recommend me for trim and doors?
Are there any white that combines with Wool Skein and Agreeable Grey?
Thank you Kylie! ♥️
If I paint the trim Alabaster White can I paint the ceiling the same color?
Author
You betcha, in fact, I usually recommend doing that!
Hi!
We are currently building and I am stuck on my dining room ceiling color. The walls are shiplap in Alabaster (matte sheen) and the trim is Alabaster as well (semi gloss). I’m not sure what color to do the ceiling. I’m afraid doing the ceilings Alabaster will be too much of the same color. The rest of the house has Alabaster ceilings and Repose Gray walls. Thank you!!
Author
Hi Morgan, you could consider SW Pure White, knowing that ceilings can naturally shade themselves a bit. Or, sometimes just adding 4-6 drops of white to the gallon can clean up a colour a wink!
Hi Kylie! I LOVE your site….it’s perfect! I’m wondering if you have anything major to say about Whitetail? I’ve searched the internet but can’t seem to find anything of substance about it. I think that Whitetail will be good for my kitchen cabinets but I’m not sure how it would look on the large scale. Would it work with agreeable gray? Thanks for your thoughts!!
Author
Hi Delanie! Whitetail IS pretty, but has a decent amount of yellow in it – too much for Agreeable if you ask me. You’ll also want to think about the trim in the room. If it’s white, it’s ‘ideal’ if the trim/cabinets can be darned close or matching and Whitetail will likely be pretty off compared to a traditional white trim. Pure White is often a safer bet or EVEN the warmer SW Alabaster, which JUST pushes my comfort zone a tiny wink – but it far less yellow than Whitetail!
Kylie, you’re one of my Go-to Pinterest paint “buddies”. Thanks for your helpful reader- responses.
Currently Renovating kitchen. I have chosen KraftMade Bonsai (soft sage-y green uppers), honey spice maple base cabinets. Thinking of Agreeable Grey or Sea Salt walls and between Pure White & Extra White ceiling? Any advice is appreciated!!
Author
Ya, I love Pinterest buddies! Now I’m not familiar with Bonsai, so I’m just looking at the online image. I wouldn’t do Sea Salt – it’s too unpredictable as it can be a green-gray (as it should be) or go blue-gray, which it ALSO loves to do and I don’t see that sitting as well with your Bonsai. Agreeable Gray sounds like a better fit, but depending on your lighting could look a wink purple in comparison. It can depend a lot on your countertop too, but have you looked at Edgecomb Gray or Accessible Beige as at all? Also, depending on your countertop/flooring, I might look at SW Pure White rather than Extra White as Extra White is pretty cold/sharp ;).
We bought a new construction home that had all the finishes done already. All the trim and cabinets are Extra white and the walls are mega greige and ceilings worldly gray. It feels so dark and depressing in here! Thinking of painting the walls extra white as well! It will be no easy feat as the ceilings are 10 ft. and the house 3200 sq ft! Ugh I wish we had gotten here a little earlier to pick something else and also have the ceilings painted white! After reading this, I feel the Extra white everywhere may not work but I don’t want anything to clash either!
I have also loved Creamy for years now and wondering if this might work better.
This post is terrific! I have a cabinet color question for you. I love the farmhouse look and we’re looking to paint our cabinets, leaning toward BM Dove White or SW Alabaster. However, we have white subway tile backsplash, white trim, red oak floors, and a tan/black marbled granite countertop. Wondering if both Dove White and Alabaster are too warm / will clash with the white trim? Something too stark white I think could look off with the countertops which call for something a bit warmer.
Hi Kylie,
1. For our new home being built, I am planning ‘Alabaster’ for walls and ‘Pure White’ for kitchen cabinets and doors. How will that combination go.
2. I am also planning to accent living room wall with ‘Cyberspace’, and the kitchen island also Cyberspace’. Will this be a good combination?
This page helped me make decision on the paints pretty fast. thanks for your posts.
Author
Hi Sheena, that sounds great! Keep in mind that the play of Pure White and Alabaster means that you’ll notice the warmth of Alabaster MORE, whereas it would fall back more if you had Alabaster trim/cabinets. This isn’t a BAD thing, just a thing to note! Personally…I’d be more inclined to stick with one white, rather than mixing the undertones, but that’s ME 😉
Hi Kylie,
I’m painting my family room SW agreeable gray with my trim being sw pure white. My question is what sheen do you suggest for the trim? I was going to use eggshell for the agreeable gray on the walls. Do you think that would be ok for the walls?
Thank you so much,
Kim graham
Author
Hi Kim! I’m definitely a satin girl for trim and love matte or eggshell on the walls ;).
My walls are BM Simply White and trim is BM Chantilly Lace. The Simply White is quite creamy next to the Chantilly Lace. I want to paint my maple cabinets white too (yes, I love white and bright), what color would suggest I paint the cabinets? Chantilly Lace or a third white color??
Hi Kylie!
How does SW Pure white compare to BM Simply White and BM Chantilly lace? Thank you!
Author
Hi Leiah, Pure White is more muted, a bit darker than Simply White – although they’re both still whites. Simply White has a more noticeable, cleaner yellow undertone. Chantilly Lace is the most WHITE and will look legit white. Of the 3, I lean the most away from Simply White because of the yellow, so then it’s more about what suits your home – a crisp clean white like Chantilly or a softer, slightly muted white like Pure White :).
Your blog about the SW paint colors was so helpful. The only question I have is if I’m doing white cabinets and white walls do I pick a different white for the walls or do the cabinets and trim and the walls the same? I was leaning toward pure white on the cabinets and alabaster on the walls or do I just do them all alabaster? I want a warm crisp feeling so leaning toward Alabaster but not sure whether to do it on walls and cabinets.
Author
Hi Angela, I would DEFINITELY do the same white on the cabinets/walls. The thing is, there will already be a small shift between the sheen of the cabinets and the sheen of the walls. It can throw things for a bit of a loop if you through a different type of white/undertone in there – I lean towards doing it the same :). BM Simply White is also known for it’s crisp warmth, but it CAN flash that bit more yellow. It really is about what your COUNTERTOPS and backsplash can handle. Pure White does act a bit more like white (when it’s not compared to a clean white) whereas Alabaster has a slightly more consistent passive warmth to it :). Personally, I’m a White Dove fan and have recently painted a lot of my home in it, it’s just a wink warmer than Pure White 🙂
I’m thinking about painting my bathroom walls Alabaster, but what color would you recommend for the trim?
Author
With Alabaster, I would lean the most towards Alabaster on the trim, for a seamless look, then the change in SHEEN from trim to wall can do the subtle colour work for you :).
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Based on another of your great posts, I’m leaning toward White Duck for my open kitchen/great room. Would Alabaster cabinets, trim, and ceilings go with White Duck walls? I’d also consider Pure White, but afraid it could look too stark for my taste. Thank you!
I’m curious on this as well?
Good Morning Kylie,
We are getting ready to redo our kitchen. Our counter tops are Giallo Ornamental (beige/gray/gold) and cabinets are currently espresso. We are considering SW Pure White or Alabaster. Our crown moulding and base boards are currently SW Extra White. We will then also be repainting our walls which are currently SW Accessible beige to SW White Duck or Aesthetic White? Our tiles are also in the creamy/beige family. Any input would be greatly appreciated!! We are wanting a warm but light/airy feel.
Thank you!
Author
Oh, Kristina, you will LOOOOVE the blog post I just published like 3 minutes ago! Check it out here ;). https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/how-to-update-your-older-granite-countertops/
Great write up on WHITES! May I share on my social?
Author
Hi Heather, that would be awesome, thank you!
I just bought pure white for my cabinets and trim and alabaster for my walls then found this post. Now I’m worried it’s going to look bad! Will this be okay or should I switch one color?
Author
Wellll, it’s not a combo that I love. I lean towards doing the same white on both, so there’s not a shift in undertones. Alabaster and Pure White aren’t so different enough to put them together – too similar but with different approaches :).
Help! You are so amazing I love reading your articles but we made a decision when painting the exterior trim of our new house and now we are thinking of changing it!
We painted the exterior Stonington Gray and the trim Simply White – and it feels way too yellow/creamy!
Do you suggest Pure White or Extra White or another color? We want that awesome contrast – going for a beachy vibe! We love Stonington Gray now so I’m nervous to mess with it but we keep seeing yellowish in the trim!
Thank you so much!!!
Author
Oooo, take a look at Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, it could be much better!
Hi Kylie,
I’ve read so many of your posts and really like the way you analyze paint colors, so I’m looking for some quick advice that I’m confident I can trust. Our house has oak trim (to stay). Based on one of your articles, it’s stained more towards the red or orange/red. We want one basic neutral whole house SW color to update the interior walls. It’s a modest 3 BR home, so we’re looking to do it all in one color – not for a “flip,” just for us. We’ve considered Repose Gray, Accessible Beige, Agreeable, Anew, and a bunch of others! With our wood trim, what is your best suggestion that will certainly work and not clash our wood?
Author
Hi Joe! Hard to say without seeing it, along with your other finishes like countertops/tiles/etc…I can’t give you anything with 100% confidence, but I’d be inclined to go a bit warmer than where you’re at as those colours will contrast that bit more with the wood. Accessible is the best of the bunch and definitely worth sampling and you might also look at Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan and Natural Tan as well. Some of these can grab a wink of green, but I think you’re better off there than with the gray-greige bunch. BM Collingwood – that IS one warm gray I’d look at.
Painting the exterior of our South Florida home in Repose Gray. Which white trim would look better… Pure White or Extra White?
Thank you!
Author
Hi Dee, I might actually land in the middle with High Reflective White!
Hi Kaylee,
I have a question, but I cant remember in which one of your blogs I left it on( (I’ve read most of them).
We are building a white pine log cabin. . All bedrooms have 2 exterior walls that are pine log. The floors will be white oak stained in a provincial color. I am trying to decide which shade of white to paint the interior walls and ceilings. I was thinking of sw alabaster or pure white, I would like a warm white, but don’t want walls to look yellow. What would you recommend? Thanks.
Author
Ooooo, if you don’t want too yellow, Pure White will be a SAFER bet for sure, but there is BM White Dove that kind of sits in between the two as well! Those are usually my two go-to warm, but not too yellow whites :).
Thank you so much!! I will look into white dove too.
Hi Kylie,
I just wanted to follow up and thank you so much for answering my questions and for your recommendations. i went with BM White Dove as you suggested and I couldn’t be happier with how it looks. It brings the warmth I wanted, but not yellow, and it looks great against the white pine. I have pics if you would like for your portfolio. Just let me know where to send them. Thanks again!!
Hello, Kylie! Can you please share the grey paint colors used on the two client photos you showed highlighting SW Extra White on exterior trim? One house is a three-story, grey colonial home, and the other picture shows a close-up of the entryway of another home. I am interested in the names of both grey colors used on these homes. Thank you for your help!
Author
Hi Lindsey! I know one was Sherwin Williams Classic French Gray and I think the other one was Westchester Gray perhaps?
Thank you so much for your help! 🙂
Hi Kylie,
I love your blogs and refer them to people all the time! So informative and you make it so fun! Question. We have SW West Highland White on our kitchen cabinets and baseboard trim throughout our home with rustic window trim and floors. What greige color would you suggest for our East facing family room with skylights that is off our kitchen? It has a greige – leaning towards gray – mortar on fireplace with brown brick. SW West Highland White mantle and armoires on either side of fireplace. Thank you for your help!
Author
Hi Sue! It’s just SO hard to say without seeing the space as between the fireplace brick/mortar, countertop and exposures, there’s a lot to consider. I mean, off the TOP, because West Highland White has quite a bit of yellow to it, you may want to look at a greige with a bit more depth and a touch of green. BUT, that’s not to say this will suit your home and all of its finishes. I would start with the likes of SW Amazing Gray perhaps and work out from there 🙂