Alabaster → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Sherwin Williams Alabaster (SW 7008), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Alabaster
If you love Sherwin Williams Alabaster but need a Farrow & Ball alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Alabaster (SW 7008) is a very light white with warm cream undertones. A warm, creamy white that's one of the most popular paint colors in America. Not stark, not yellow, just comfortably warm. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 82) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Alabaster and every Farrow & Ball color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Farrow & Ball option is James White (No.2010) with a Delta E of 3.4, which is a "good match" level match. James White is the closest F&B match. Both are warm, inviting whites with cream undertones. F&B's chalky finish gives it more depth. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Alabaster
James White is the closest F&B match. Both are warm, inviting whites with cream undertones. F&B's chalky finish gives it more depth.
| Alabaster | James White | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 82 | 82 |
| Hex | #EDEAE0 | #EAE6DE |
| Undertone | Warm Cream | Warm Heritage White |
| Family | White | White |
Undertone Comparison
Alabaster has warm cream undertones. A warm, creamy white that's one of the most popular paint colors in America. Not stark, not yellow, just comfortably warm.
James White has warm heritage white undertones. A warm, heritage white named for the F&B founder. Richer than All White, warmer than Strong White. The most personal white in the F&B range.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Alabaster in Your Room
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.
James White in Your Room
Warm and inviting. A warm white with visible cream. Reads as a rich warm white in all rooms.
LRV and Brightness
Alabaster has an LRV of 82, while James White has an LRV of 82. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Alabaster
Sherwin Williams recommends Alabaster for: whole house, trim, cabinets, living room, bedroom. With an LRV of 82, this is a very light color that reflects a lot of light and works well in any room, including smaller spaces where you want to maintain a bright, open feel. It is light enough for whole-house use without making rooms feel washed out or sterile.
James White is recommended for: whole house, living room, bedroom, trim, kitchen. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use James White in the same rooms you planned for Alabaster.
Alabaster in Other Brands
Looking for Alabaster equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Alabaster (SW 7008) is James White (No.2010) with a Delta E of 3.4, which rates as a "good match" match. James White is the closest F&B match. Both are warm, inviting whites with cream undertones. F&B's chalky finish gives it more depth. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Alabaster is a Sherwin Williams color with warm cream undertones and an LRV of 82. James White is a Farrow & Ball color with warm heritage white undertones and an LRV of 82. With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 3.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.