The Rugh Design Color Wheel
To recap, we have been working on adding ALL of the Sherwin-Williams paint colors to the Rugh Design Color Wheel. Today we have excatly 1111 on the color wheel and plan to have all 1700 colors up by the end of 2018. Each week we will release 25 new colors with my hand picked color schemes. In addition to the new 25 colors a week I will hightlight 1 color from Sherwin-Williams that I personally love or stands out.
Recently we have highlighted Amazing Gray (a go-to light gray), Alabaster (perfect slight off-white), Light French Gray (muted gray with slight blue undertone) and Snowbound (a cooler off-white).
Going forward you can find all of our Color Wheel Update posts here.
Featured Color: Creamy SW 7012
So, in my last Color Wheel feature post, I mentioned this, but as you may have noticed, I have been highlighting a lot of grays/greiges and whites/off-whites. This is not on accident! These are the colors that are being used a lot lately so I wanted to write about them and show some inspirational pictures for a visual in order for you to implement the colors in your own home!
This week, I wanted to focus on the color Creamy SW 7012. This warm off-white has been popping up lately in my consults and is a color that I have recommended (and still recommend!) to clients who would like a creamier white versus a brighter white for their spaces. I think my favorite thing about Creamy is that it is a warm white that doesn’t get too yellow. There are some creams out there that can pick up more of a yellow undertone and I love that Creamy is not one of those whites!
I did a comparison with whites and off-whites on a scale of warm to cool last week for the Snowbound post, so let’s add Creamy into the mix. I believe this will be truly helpful if you are stuck trying to figure out the undertones to all of the white and off-white choices out there and which one would work best in your home.
Here we go! For now, I’m going to stick with comparing and categorizing the whites and off-whites that I have highlighted and mentioned in the past Color Wheel feature posts. Stay tuned for a possible longer post on whites and off-whites in the near future!
Extra White (SW 7006) is Sherwin-Williams’ true white that I use as the base white to differentiate between the other whites/off-whites. So, if you picture Extra White in the middle as our starting point, go ahead and place Snowbound to the left as a cooler white. Then, place Alabaster to the right of Extra White as a warmer white/off-white on the spectrum. From there, place Creamy to the right of Alabaster as an even warmer/creamier white. Make perfect sense? If you are visual like me, see below for a flow chart to help you see the difference between the whites.
If Creamy sounds intriguing and you want see what other colors and schemes could coordinate with it then check out the color schemes I believe will coordinate nicely with it.
I scoured the net and put together a Pinterest gallery of Creamy. See it below and let me know which you like the most. If you have your own pictures send them to me and I will post them!
Where to use Creamy SW 7012
Like most of the whites and off-whites that I have featured, Creamy is a beautiful creamy (ha!) white that can be used as an overall neutral wall color. Having a neutral main palette makes it easy to layer your design with bold colors used in fabrics, rugs and other accents. Creamy is also a perfect color to use on your walls if you are looking to decorate your home in the popular modern farmhouse style. Check out the inspiration picture below for case in point!
When I was working with a past client of mine, one challenge we faced was trying to match her current cabinet color. It was a warmer slight off-white, so going with my go-to bright white (Extra White) wasn’t going to work. We ended up color matching it with Creamy and it turned out beautifully! It was the perfect warm white for her trim and cabinets and coordinated with her warmer greige/taupe wall color (Balanced Beige).
After that project, Creamy became one of my top go-to choices for a warmer white. If your palette is leaning towards the warmer neutrals with warm greiges/taupes and your selections are on the warmer side as well (classico beige travertine, etc.), then consider going with Creamy. It is a tad warmer than Alabaster, so if you aren’t sure which to go with, you can go back to my flow chart for a visual reference.
If you are searching for a warmer white for your exteriors, Creamy is a great choice! As I’ve mentioned before, colors look brighter on exteriors since they are in natural lighting. Creamy looks beautiful as the main body color with darker trim or as a trim color with a contrasting color on the main body. I love Creamy on an exterior for brick or even a hardy plank siding to achieve the farmhouse style look or just for a fresh and bright exterior color.
If you are considering Creamy, the best way to find out if it is right for your space, is to grab a Peel & Stick Paint Sample and test it out.
Our paint samples are handed painted with 2 coats of the real Sherwin-Williams color and are perfect for sampling color before you take the dive into gallons of paint. The Peel and Stick Paint Samples make it easy to have confidence in your paint color choice and will save you time, effort and money while testing colors in your space. Get started now with Creamy!
If you are still having trouble deciding, contact me for a Color Consult to nail down the best color for your interior or exterior. I have a passion for color and love being able to help clients find the right color to make their home beautiful!
Leave me a comment if you have Creamy in your home or would like to try it. I would love to hear from you! Also, stay tuned for the next featured color from the Color Wheel…
The Best of the Rest
Creamy had the spotlight, but I also wanted to highlight a color from the Color Wheel update, Nifty Turquoise (SW 6941) and I’m super excited about it. Why? This ultra bright and cheery turquoise color is near and dear to my heart because I painted our picnic table in it. You may think that it is strange that I painted my picnic table turquoise or wonder why I have a picnic table in my front yard.
My Nifty Turquoise SW 6941 picnic table.
Well, let me tell you. Not too long ago, Kristin Schell started a movement called “The Turquoise Table” featuring a picnic table painted in Nifty Turquoise (her favorite color). The idea is to become “front yard people” and have a place to invite neighbors over to sit, chat, eat, watch kids play, etc. It has become wide spread and we were inspired to go for it too!
We have had a Turquoise Table in our front yard for the past several years and I am literally tearing up thinking about the dinners, conversations, school lessons and so much life that has taken place at our table. If you want to get in on becoming a “front yard person” too, grab a gallon of Nifty Turquoise and get going!
Check out the colors we updated on the Color Wheel this week below. Click on the swatch to see my color scheme picks!
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– Laura
I have unable tuba granite countertops and white subway tile backsplash with white cabinets. What color would you suggest I repainted the cabinets? My kitchen is really large with an island and eat in bar.
Hi Charlene,
I would match your kitchen cabinets to the white “tone” in your backsplash tile. Some white subway tiles can steer more creamy and some are more bright white. Take your cues from the backsplash and match it up with a white that works coordinates instead of “fights” with it.
Thanks for reaching out!
Laura
If Creamy is used on the walls, can Alabaster be used for the trim and doors? I have stained oak cabinets and wood floors throughout my home, and bright white trim just doesn’t look right with the wood—I need a soft white for trim, but with enough contrast with Creamy walls. Thank you!
Hi Donna,
Yes, Alabaster works great with Creamy. You are correct that it is a softer white! Send me pictures of your finished kitchen!
Thank you,
Laura
Laura, thank you so much for your review of Sherman-Williams Creamy. You are a genius! My project is a ways out, but Creamy is my favorite color for it today!
Thank you, Jan!! Let me know how your project turns out! 🙂
Laura
I am 99% committed to painting all common areas of our home SW Creamy to lighten/ brighten. Current color everywhere is a light khaki.
What is the perfect trim color to use with Creamy? Leaning toward Cloud White. LOVE all your information about paint colors. SUPER helpful.
Hi Emily,
Thanks! Alabaster is a great trim color with Creamy for some subtle contrast. Cloud White could also work!! Keep me posted and send me a picture when you are finished!
Laura
Hello,
In the post/picture that you stated “Creamy SW 7012 w/greige walls from Highmark Builders” do you have an actual color code for the greige on the walls? I really like the combination.
Hi Brian,
I’m sorry, I don’t know the color. It is a nice one! If you click on the link, you should be able to contact Highmark Builders for an answer.
Thank you,
Laura
Hi Laura: Can you clarify your thoughts about using creamy on kitchen cabinets? To do or not to do?
I really really love your posts, inspirations and insights. Thanks so much.
Hi Sharon,
Thanks so much! I think Creamy is SO pretty on kitchen cabinets. The decision to use it is really on a case by case basis, however. Creamy does have a warmer undertone, so if you have more warmth going on with your countertops, tile and other selections, Creamy could be the right way to go. If you have cooler undertones in your selections, Creamy could end up looking too warm. I like brighter whites and greige-whites paired with cooler selections (grays, blues, etc.).
All that to say, check your flooring, backsplash, countertops and wall color first before you make your final decision! If you are not sure, test out a Peel & Stick Paint Sample so you can get a good feel for how the color looks right next to your selections.
Just used SW Creamy walls & BM Simply White trim in our large great room. LOVE it! We have high dark wood ceiling with scissor beams and new medium tone wood floors. Faces direct East & West so lighting effects everything. We could not be happier with our choices. Certain wall sections show slightly off white in shadows throughout the day while most of the area appears white – no yellow tones at all. It was a leap of faith. Furniture & decor have taken on a new life against the brighter background. An adjacent office room is painted completely in BM Simply White and the two large rooms pair effortlessly.
Selecting paint colors is a difficult & expensive decision. Even our pro painter is pleased with the results!