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Paint Design Dilemma

SW Alabaster vs Snowbound vs Pure White

5 years ago

Help! I'm needing to choose the paint color for my cabinetry and struggling between these 3 colors. Honestly, the one I would like best will be the easiest to find complimentary colors for my walls and trim. Any thoughts on which white is easiest to find complimentary colors? My walls and such will be using PPG paints, not SW.

Thanks in advance! And Happy belated 4th!

Featured Answer

RaiKai

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Well, a lot depends on your lighting. That can really affect how the paint colours look (natural and what direction, indirect and what temperature, etc). As of course do your other choices - from floors, to counters, to wall paint!

That said, I like Alabaster. On cabinets it is a soft white, but not yellow.

I know SW puts Snowbound as a complimentary to Alabaster, you could always get someone to do a paint match. I think it looks better to not use the same white for trim as cabinets (more layered).

Good write up of both Pure White & Alabaster here: https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-4-best-white-paint-colours-sherwin-williams/

She does mention Snowbound at end but does not review as she was narrowing down to 4 :)

Comments (8)

andria564
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I always like to see my color choice in real houses. This blogger did her cabinets and trim with SW Snowbound http://www.ourvintagenest.com/design-details-new-home-and-paint-colors/ . Its softer than Alabaster, https://kristywicks.com/home-sources/kitchen/ she did hers in SW Alabaster, walls are also Alabaster. https://mytexashouse.com/paint-colors/ she did her cabinets and trim in SW Pure White. We have SW Extra White throughout the house and I am not sure if I would want that on cabinets just because its really a bright white. Hope those help.
Jennifer Koe thanked andria564
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Thank you for your input. Unfortunately, we have to pick the paint color before lighting is in. We are also having to select wall color from out of state making it extra difficult. I am about ready to go back to one of my tried and true - Agreeable Gray or Repose Gray. If I select off white and should use the same color on trim then Alabaster would be the best option, I think Peary white will look off for the doors and trim in other areas of the house.
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I’m also looking at Eider white and wasn’t sure if it was too dark until reading this and realizing how bright it will be outside. Now I’m second guessing because it will be next to a white vinyl fence and some other very bright white trim. Should this be a consideration or am I overthinking? I’m already leaning towards sticking with the eider white as I’m writing this because it looks best with the paint, but I’m a little hung up on the bright white trim style flashing that’s all around the base of my porch.
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Kim Q
5 years ago
I love snowbound, I’ve used it as my trim color in 3 homes.
Jennifer Koe thanked Kim Q
Jennifer Koe
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks! I'm going to look at samples of the paints at my cabinet maker today! It's exciting but all a bit overwhelming at the same time!
Kim Q
5 years ago
ask if you can borrow the samples and see them in the lighting in your home.
Shelley Waste
5 years ago
Please help me find the right colors:

I loved reading the comments on this subject. I'm in process of painting my dark maple kitchen cabinets white. I'm sticking with sherwin williams brand because I get a substantial discount and I like the brand. My kitchen has a soft white tile floor that has very faint grey and creamy swirls. Backsplash I have is 6x6 tiles that are medium/dark brown swirls. The kitchen is u shaped and small so im thinking white cabinets will brighten it up. BUT, I'm having trouble deciding the perfect color for cabinets and walls. I have it down to 3 choices... alabaster, aged white and creamy for the cabinets. Haven't even gotten to the color for my walls.

Can anyone help?

P.S. the room next to this is the living room which has a medium hue that looks tan with a yellow/golden warm undertone. It to flow nicely.
Debbie Downer
5 years ago
Probably totally useless information, but theres been times in my life when I couldnt decided so I got several and mixed them all together! With varying degreees of success - I remember once ending up with a warm white that was just beautiful - definitely warm, but not too yellow or green or pinky or anything. Just warm and nice.
Jennifer Buchanan
5 years ago
I have become a huge fan of using different whites on the walls and trim. I just finished a sitting area with SW Creamy walls and SW Alabaster trim. It has a subtly layered look, as mentioned in another comment. I am going to paint the kitchen cabinets Creamy as well.

The MBA has a grey marble shower, so I chose SW Snowbound because of its cooler undertones. I kept Alabaster as the trim, and these shades are also complimentary.

The best thing about this “trend” may be its staying power. This will never look outdated and it can be easily changed if desired.

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