Sherwin Williams White Duck vs Alabaster

Client Dilemma: White Duck Sherwin Williams or Alabaster Paint Color for Modern Interior

Alabaster

Recently I had a client ask me to help her choose a new color to brighten her modern contemporary home. She currently had a color similar to accessible beige on the walls, which showed some age, so painting was needed to freshen up the place.  There were some nicks and spots that said it was time for repainting so we set off to find the right color. We narrowed down on repose gray, but after testing it looked a bit dark. Plus, after our consultation, she confessed her husband really wanted a white, but she wanted a bit of color on the walls. (another post – why all decision-makers should be present for a color and design consultation).

White Duck or Alabaster Paint

So, I suggested a couple of whites for her to consider.

Here is the email she sent me: “I just wanted to follow-up and say thanks for the additional samples of whites you sent last month. We are fairly certain we want to use White Duck for most of our rooms in the house, including our basement. Have your clients encountered any concerns with this color on their walls? We also considered Alabaster because my husband prefers its warm, creamy white hue, but I am afraid this might appear too white because of our white countertops, curtains, and trim. Based on my online searches, it appears as though Alabaster and White Duck are in the same color strip”

Actually, they may be on the same color strip – but this is to show they are similar in color, not of the same color. (will get to this in another post).

Lets just take a moment to review whites – there are hundreds of different whites, and yes… it does make a difference which white you choose for your home. Whites with a bit of yellow appear warmer and whites with a bit of blue appear like a bright white. Gray, Taupe and Green also influence and then you have to calculate what type of light bulbs and sun exposure you are getting. All of this makes it extremely difficult to pick the right white. You need to choose the best white for the elements in your home as well as the feel you want to create.

A sleek modern house could be a bright white?  Yes, it could but since the layout is long and there isn’t a lot of art on the wall or other  lot of art or elements adding to the space, we both knew that just a touch of color on the walls would feel best. Especially in the cold winters Colorado has and that this is a home, not a gallery.

So, in comparing the two colors, I suggested the White Duck. Here’s why…

White Duck is an unsung hero in paint. It truly has the best contemporary look for a light color you can find today. It is an off white with a greige undertone. In the full sun (south facing) will appear more creamy white. I would categorize it as an off white without too much yellow.  

White Duck is perfect for walls and even cabinetry as seen below, isn’t this the most beautiful kitchen!

For a main color and a bright white trim, you will see a bit of contrast. And that is what my client was looking for. A little bit of warmth on the wall without looking yellow, gray or steryl. We would pair it with for the trim. (seen in the first photo)

Just to provide a background about Alabaster, Alabaster was chosen as the 2017 color of the year from SW, for a good reason – it’s so a very versatile white. It is also categorized as an off white that lands creamy and can read beige or even greige.

It can work as the main paint color, too. The softness of this color allows it to create a soft background for a home without feeling too sterile, like a bright white. It was a favorite of JoAnna Gaines before she created her own paint line. She even painted her own home that color, as seen here.

As a trim color, Alabaster works very well with wood or dark elements where a bright white would just clash. As for cabinets, I love it when a client wants a soft warm color without too much yellow. If it is the only white in the space, it looks great. Be careful when pairing it with a bright white though as it might come across as dirty or the bright white too sterile.  

You really won’t go wrong with either color, but in the end, White Duck works best for this modern house AND what the client wanted because it has a touch more color and greige.

So, what do you prefer for your home if you were going white? White Duck or Alabaster? (last note – Isn’t it crazy how much different these colors look here in comparison to the overall photos above! Light and the contextual environment play such a big deal in how a color looks)

What is the undertone of Sherwin Williams white Duck?

What is Joanna Gaines favorite white paint?

What trim color goes best with white Duck?

Does white Duck look gray?