Alabaster

Alabaster is on Sherwin-Williams' own list of its most popular colors, and the reason it works for so many people is that it is a soft white rather than a stark one. Sherwin-Williams lists it in its White & Pastel family with an LRV of 82.215, coordinating it with Townhall Tan SW 7690 and Dakota Wheat SW 9023. Its warmth comes from a little yellow and a little gray: the Color Concierge's Michelle Marceny describes 'gentle, warm yellow undertones balanced by a touch of muted gray.'

How much of that yellow you see depends on the room. In north light, Emily Griffin of Minimal and Modern says it 'can look more muted, beige, or creamy because the light is cooler,' while Marceny finds it 'has enough pigment to avoid looking flat or dingy.' South light is where it is cleanest: 'South-facing rooms usually make it look brighter and more balanced,' and in strong sun Marceny warns 'it can look pretty stark, especially if you are in the southern US.' West light, Griffin says, 'may bring out more warmth in the late afternoon.' On east light, Griffin says only that 'East-facing rooms can feel fresher in the morning.'

Bulbs matter as much as windows. Griffin: 'Warm bulbs may make the color look more yellow or creamy.' Daily Splendor's advice is to go 'no warmer than soft white for lighting.'

Cabinets are where Alabaster gets its strongest endorsements. Danielle of Daily Splendor calls it 'one of the top colors I recommend for cabinets,' and Marceny says 'it adds warmth without feeling creamy like a true cream color.' On walls, Marceny's caveat is light: 'You need a good amount of light to use Alabaster as a wall color, especially in a large living space.'

Trim is more conditional. Marceny's view is that it 'isn't the best interior trim color unless you're color-drenching or using with much darker wall paint'; Daily Splendor is happier with it, noting it 'can seem more soft than stark' and that you 'could also use Alabaster for walls and trim for a seamless look.' On ceilings, Marceny says 'it looks soft and natural on ceilings instead of harsh or icy.'

Outside, remember that colors read lighter. Marceny: 'Even though this white is creamy, it looks very bright outside,' and 'as an exterior white trim color, it will look pretty stark, so don't use it with very dark colors.' Griffin suggests it suits 'homes with warm wood trim, brick, or stone.'

The pairing that comes up again and again is Alabaster walls with Pure White SW 7005 trim and ceilings: Marceny calls that her 'favorite combination,' and she also likes Pure White cabinets against Alabaster walls. Beyond whites, she pairs it with 'muted, warm grays' and with slightly muted blacks. Griffin: 'Warm gray, greige, and taupe furniture pairs better with Alabaster than cool blue-gray pieces.'

Megan Morgan of HelpWithDIY suggests Alabaster trim with Accessible Beige SW 7036 walls, and Sea Salt SW 6204 for 'a spa-like feel.' Daily Splendor pairs it with Urbane Bronze for contrast, and with Natural Linen, Accessible Beige and Balanced Beige.

Against its nearest neighbors: Pure White SW 7005 is cooler and slightly brighter at LRV 84; Marceny says Alabaster is 'much warmer than Pure White.' Greek Villa SW 7551 is 'a little bit lighter and a little bit less muted than Alabaster, with an LRV of 84.' Benjamin Moore's White Dove OC-17 is 'pretty similar' but 'a bit lighter' (LRV 83.16), and Swiss Coffee OC-45 is 'fairly similar' at LRV 81.91; Daily Splendor adds that Swiss Coffee 'does have yellow undertones so keep that in mind.' We have White Dove and Swiss Coffee photographed in real rooms if you want to see where Alabaster sits.

It fails in rooms that push its yellow. Griffin is specific: it 'can look yellow near warm bulbs, yellow-toned floors, cream furniture, or cool white trim,' and 'can look dingy in dark rooms, shadowy corners, or spaces with cool gray finishes.' Her list of places to avoid it: 'dark north-facing rooms, spaces with cool gray floors and icy white trim.'

It also fails for anyone who wants a crisp white. Griffin: 'Alabaster is not a sharp white. It is soft, warm, and slightly creamy.' If that is what you want, Pure White or Extra White is the better choice.

The reviewers do not fully agree on how yellow it is: Marceny calls the undertones 'strong yellow,' HelpWithDIY says they are 'never too yellow,' and Daily Splendor has 'rarely seen it look yellow.' That spread is the point: Alabaster is a chameleon within a narrow warm range, and only a sample in your own room settles it.