Exploring Sherwin Williams 2016 Color of the Year Alabaster

In 2016, Sherwin Williams named SW 7008 Alabaster as its coveted Color of the Year. This timeless shade of white quickly became a favorite among interior designers and homeowners alike. Let's explore the beauty and versatility of this Sherwin Williams color of the year 2016, SW 7008 Alabaster.

I love sharing Sherwin William's color of the year!  This year is all about white – Sherwin Williams 7008 Alabaster.  There are endless possibilities with this color.  Sherwin Williams knows the right time to introduce this color.  People are crazy about white right now.

Over the years of designing homes, I have used Alabaster many times, from small bathrooms like the one shown above to entire house plans. It is one of the easiest colors to work with.

What is Sherwin Williams SW 7008 Alabaster

SW 7008 Alabaster is a warm and inviting white paint color from Sherwin Williams. Its unique characteristics include a creamy and soft appearance, making it versatile and suitable for different spaces and styles.

Alabaster has subtle undertones of beige and yellow, giving it a warm and comforting feel. These undertones make it a great choice for creating a cozy and serene atmosphere in any room.

Overall, SW 7008 Alabaster is a timeless and elegant color that can transform any space with a warm, clean look and comforting undertones.

How to use SW 7008 Alabaster in interior design

Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a great paint color for walls, trim, doors, cabinets, ceilings, floors, and furniture. This color can be used anywhere and is one of my favorite colors for interiors. In fact, I share examples in this best Sherwin Williams white for cabinets post.

It makes a fabulous white cabinet color!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to this color. Alabaster is timeless and transitional and has a warm undertone, making it a cozier feeling of white. Here are photo examples by Sherwin Williams of this versatile color.

Sherwin Williams 7008 Living Room

“Alabaster represents a straightforward and necessary shift to mindfulness. It provides an oasis of calmness, spirituality and ‘less is more’ visual relief. Alabaster is neither stark nor overly warm, but rather an understated and alluring white.”
Jackie Jordan, Sherwin Williams director of color marketing.

This color's crisp and clean appearance makes it so great.  It is also an easy color to use in decorating because it matches everything; however, using it intentionally is essential.  

For example, if you love contrast, white is perfect for pulling off that look, but if you love neutrals, then Alabaster might be just the ticket to keep it from becoming mundane.

Sherwin Williams Alabaster Bedroom

Talk about a timeless color that matches everything and every style.  If you want to make a room look larger, then Alabaster is the color for you.  Soft and pleasant are the tranquil words to describe it!

SW7008 can be used anywhere.  It's great for trim, walls, and ceilings.  And you can get away with using it altogether.  It's perfect for a refreshing spa look, tasty kitchen design, elegant dining room, relaxing living room, and much more.  

If you are challenged by color selection, worry no more because Alabaster is easy to pick.

Here is another example of Alabaster on a child's bedroom walls. This warm undertone of white was perfect for a rainbow mural wall. Here are more photos of this toddler girl's bedroom.

SW 7008 Bathroom

Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a beautiful white color for bathrooms. Its warm undertone creates a soft and serene atmosphere, perfect for a relaxing space like a bathroom. Alabaster is also versatile and can be paired with various accent colors and materials to create a unique design.

Additionally, it has a high reflective value that can help to brighten up a room with limited natural light. Here is more information on what is LRV in paint.

Overall, Sherwin Williams Alabaster is a great color choice for bathrooms due to its versatility, calming effect, and ability to create a bright and airy space.

Here is another photo of the small bathroom design I mentioned at the beginning, where I used Alabaster as the main color.

Using SW 7008 Alabaster in exterior design

SW 7008 Alabaster is a warm and inviting white color that can be used in exterior design to create a bright and timeless look. It's a versatile color complementing many brick colors and styles, making it a popular choice for brick homes.

When used on the exterior of a brick home, Alabaster can help to create a clean and classic look while also providing a neutral backdrop for colorful landscaping and other design elements.

Additionally, its reflective qualities can help to keep the home cooler in warm climates.

Alabaster makes a fabulous exterior color. I have an example in my most popular Sherwin Williams exterior paint colors where it is painted on a brick house and paired with gray shutters and a light sky blue door.

It is so pretty!

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, Sherwin Williams' choice of Alabaster as their paint color of the year in 2016 was a wise decision. This versatile and timeless hue has proven to be a popular choice among homeowners and designers alike.

However, it is important to remember that choosing the right paint color is only the first step in creating a beautiful and inviting space. To truly bring a room to life, it is essential to incorporate other design elements such as lighting, furniture, and accessories.

So, whether you're planning a renovation or simply refreshing your home's decor, consider using Alabaster as a starting point and let your creativity take it from there.

What do you think about SW 7008 Alabaster, and where are you thinking of using this color?  Remember me saying there are so many possibilities with this paint color? If you need more images of Alabaster to help you decide, check out my Sherwin Williams Alabaster white post.

Please share your thoughts and if you have used a color similar to this.  I would love to hear all about it.

Happy Decorating!

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