Simply White vs Alabaster
A side-by-side comparison of Benjamin Moore Simply White (OC-117) and Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008).
| Benjamin Moore Simply White | Sherwin Williams Alabaster | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | OC-117 | SW 7008 |
| Hex |
#F9F5EB
|
#EDEAE0
|
| RGB | 249, 245, 235 | 237, 234, 224 |
| LRV | 91.7 | 82 |
| Undertone | Warm Yellow | Warm Cream |
| Family | White | White |
| Best Rooms | Trim, Ceilings, Cabinets, Whole House, Bathroom | Whole House, Trim, Cabinets, Living Room, Bedroom |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Simply White has an LRV of 91.7 (very light) and Alabaster has an LRV of 82 (very light). Simply White will make a room feel noticeably brighter.
The Full Comparison
Two of the most popular warm whites, but with noticeably different characters. Simply White (BM) is brighter and crisper, with just a hint of warmth. Alabaster (SW) is creamier and more obviously warm. Simply White works best as a trim color or in rooms where you want brightness with warmth. Alabaster wraps a room in a cozy glow. If you're pairing with cool wall colors, Simply White's brightness helps it read as a true white trim. Against warm walls, Alabaster's creaminess blends more naturally.
Simply White Undertones
A clean, bright white with just enough warmth to avoid looking sterile. The slight yellow undertone keeps it from feeling cold.
Alabaster Undertones
A warm, creamy white that's one of the most popular paint colors in America. Not stark, not yellow, just comfortably warm.
Lighting Behavior
Simply White: Reads as a crisp, warm white in most lighting. In very warm south-facing light, the yellow can become noticeable. Under cool LEDs, it looks clean and bright.
Alabaster: Looks warm and inviting in nearly every lighting condition. In very bright south-facing light, the cream undertone becomes more apparent. Under cool light, it reads as a soft neutral.
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Frequently Asked Questions
No, Simply White (Benjamin Moore) and Alabaster (Sherwin Williams) are not the same color. They're in the same family (white), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Simply White has warm yellow undertones, while Alabaster has warm cream undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Simply White is lighter with an LRV of 91.7, compared to Alabaster's LRV of 82. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
You could, though most designers would recommend the opposite: Alabaster (the darker shade, LRV 82) on walls and Simply White (the lighter shade, LRV 91.7) on trim. That said, rules are made to be broken.