I think it depends on the overall scheme: In the 18th and early 19th century it was often painted the same color as the walls if it was wood millwork and it was often painted the same color as the ceiling if it was ornamental plaster work. Through the middle of the 19th century into the 20th century when stained woodwork was in vogue, it was often stained, which made it different than both the walls and the ceiling. Then when everyone started painting all this stained woodwork white, it got painted white. I think it depends on the room and what you want it to look like. There isn't really any final answer except it usually isn't it's own exclusive color.

How about a really dark color? Or else cherry on top (whipped cream optional LOL) and make transition to white back at the walls (same profile)? Someone else has thread about transitioning CM color but I haven't seen any replies to that.

Sophie Wheeler. I recognized the need for additional lighting with black cabinetry. This is an eastern facing room. Adjacent to the left of the single "kitchen" window is a bay window, a set of french doors and a set of double windows. The dining room to the right also has a double window. When we repiped the plumbing we had the entire kitchen ceiling off. The HVAC, vent pipes and plumbing pipes prevented us from taking the existing lighting to down to 4in and adding additional cans. I've installed LED bulbs to increase light volume in the kitchen area. Additionally we are installing under cabinet lighting with the new cabinets. The carpenter- a perfectionist- who redid our drywall used a laser level and added to all the ceiling joists so the ceiling is completely level and ready for the cabinetry with applied crown moulding. I think the first photo supplied by phuninthesun helped me decide to apply black to the cabinetry and white to the walls. I will post once finished for all to check out.

sorry. I meant to say Sherwin William SW not BM in above post