SOURCE: Havenly Hideaway
If you’ve ever tried to find the perfect white paint you’ll know what an exercise in frustration that can be. You start out so confident about your choices only to be overwhelmed with undertones. In isolation all the white paint chips seem to look alike but when you lay them side by side you’ll see how different they can be. And that’s where the confusion begins.
There are a few white paint selections that seem to have become preferred superstars within the design community and Alabaster is one of them. Alabaster won Colour of the Year in 2016 by Sherwin Williams and it’s remained a favourite ever since. If you’ve been looking for white paint then it likely has already come across your radar. Here’s why we all love Alabaster so much…
Quick Facts About Alabaster:
- Sherwin Williams Alabaster SW-7008
- A warm and balanced white
- Slight yellow undertones with a creamy warmth
- Works anywhere in your home
- Pairs well with other neutrals but also pairs beautifully with deep, bold colours. So really, it goes with just about everything
SOURCE: Chris Loves Julia
Why I Love This Colour
While I would consider myself a colour lover, I also appreciate a good neutral and an off-white is my favourite of the neutral palette. I’ve written about Pale Oak here and here because it’s one of the favourites of the Benjamin Moore collection. It’s also a close cousin to Alabaster and they both share the same creamy warmth while being a balanced white.
Alabaster is one of those colours that will appear white but the warmth keeps it from feeling too stark or sterile for most of us. That’s a lot of work being done by Alabaster but in the end it’s become a fan favourite because it’s just the perfectly balanced white that we all want in our homes.
Is There an Undertone?
So what exactly is an undertone? Essentially it’s a tone hidden within a colour. In this case it’s the colour that is hidden inside the white paint you select. Undertones are everywhere but they’re most obvious when selecting neutral colours.
Like all white paint, Alabaster has an undertone and it’s yellow. While that might not sound like what you’re looking for, it’s what gives this white the creamy softness and makes it such a desirable white. If you want to learn more about how undertones work, read this post.
Will Alabaster Work In Your Home?
SOURCE: Sara Lynn Brennan
Alabaster is one of those colours that works in so many environments that I want to say unequivocally that it will work. But as always, colour should be determined based on the materials, furniture and artwork in your home.
This colour does tend to work really well in open concept spaces where you want a continuous neutral to act as a quiet backdrop to the rest of the space. It’s also a great colour for cabinetry and trim so consider this as an option when redoing cabinetry in your kitchen or bathroom.
Trim Colours to Use With Alabaster
One of the most difficult things to do is pair two white paint colours together. If you’re painting your walls in Alabaster and want to find a perfect complement for trim and doors I’d suggest a white that isn’t as warm and creamy as Alabaster. Instead, I’d opt for a colour that is a bit stark and crisp because this will give a nicer contrast overall. Here are a few really great options if you need a trim colour to pair with Alabaster.
1/ Sherwin Williams Pure White SW-7005
It’s always hard to truly understand a white based on an image. This is as close to pure white as we get but it does contain a slight yellow undertone that keeps it from being too stark. The yellow undertone pairs perfectly with Alabaster so if you want a trim colour that’s just slightly more crisp this could be the one.
2/ Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65
First of all let me say that you can absolutely pair different paints from different manufacturers. Chantilly Lace is the go-to standard for “pure” white although we all know there’s no such thing, right?! This is similar to Pure White in that it contains just a hint of warmth that will keep it from being too cold but it’s otherwise an almost perfect white.
3/ Sherwin Williams High Reflective White SW-7757
Sherwin Williams refers to this paint colour as the brightest, cleanest white amongst Sherwin Williams paint colours. And since they know colour better than anyone else I’d say we’re safe to forge ahead with this. This is a great option to pair with Alabaster if you want continuity but with a slight shift from wall to trim colour.
Best Colours to Pair With Alabaster
SOURCE: Jenna Kate at Home
It’s hard to narrow down just a few colours that work well with this colour. That’s because it’s such a versatile colour and can pair with just about any neutral or saturated colour but here are my absolute favourites.
1/ Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray SW-7029
If you want a space that is neutral but still has some visual interest give this colour a try. It pairs so beautifully with Alabaster but it’s still got its own personality. This is a combination that would look great in a kitchen where either colour could work on cabinetry and the remaining colour being the wall colour.
2/ Sherwin Williams Favorite Jeans SW-9147
If you’re a blue lover, Alabaster is a great paint colour to use alongside this blue. I always prefer a warm white to pair with blue unless I’m using a navy where sometimes a crisp, cool white can be preferable.
3/ Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog SW-9130
As you can see, this combination just works! Alabaster is the perfect partner to Evergreen Fog. If you think this colour seems familiar it’s because it was selected as the Colour of the Year by Sherwin Williams in 2022. This combination would absolutely work in any space in your home.
Let me know what you think of Alabaster. If you’re planning to paint your home in the near future and feel overwhelmed with decision fatigue, reach out to me. I’d love to share how a colour consultation can help you finally select the perfect colours for your home.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
