I’ve had several questions about the color of the trim paint throughout our house. It’s the same color that was here when we moved in—and has worked really well with the paint colors I chose.
Alabaster is what I would call a soft white—definitely not stark in any way.
I spent the better part of yesterday walking around the house touching up our trim. I’ve been putting it off because it seems like such a tedious task without a lot of instant gratification (my least favorite kind of project). But, it’s amazing how freshening up your trim can make your entire house feel newer. I carried around an angled brush, my favorite paint cup and a pack of baby wipes to clean up dust and my mess-ups.
I snapped a couple of pictures so you can see how it works with some of our wall colors. Here it is next to Worldly Gray (SW).
And, with Shoji White (SW)—the white I’ve also used in our bedroom and kitchen:
We also used Alabaster for our built-in bookcases. The backs are painted Urbane Bronze (also SW).
Oh, Emily – that’s exactly what I’m going to do when both of my kids are away at camp for 4 weeks this summer – dedicate a day to freshening up trim and listening to an audiobook and some tunes. How satisfying! Kids definitely do a number on trim, don’t they?
It’s amazing how rough they are on our walls and trim! I’ve been listening to podcasts. Makes it so much more bearable.
Thanks for the idea to listen to something. Silly, right? I always forget about the entertainment I need to push through a project like this and the stone silence sends me over the edge with boredom. TV is a no-no though; I’ll go watch. My music tastes change too much or maybe that’s just another excuse. Off to find a good book on tape or some podcasts. Emily, any suggestions of ones you enjoy? Pretty, cleaned up trim, yippee!
Well, I started with the Serial podcast back in the Spring–which I loved. (Kind of like a Dateline…) But, lately, I’ve been hooked on the Jamie Ivey Happy Hour podcast. Just fun girl talk…
Oh how the trim paint has been on my procrastination list! (And I cannot use the kids as an excuse.) This is some incentive though … will be oh so much fresher!
Thanks so much.
I couldn’t agree with you more, that it instantly makes a house feel brand new! And I also carry baby wipes around to clean dust and paint spills! They work so much better than a wet paper towel. My kids have been out of diapers for a while, but I will never stop buying those wipes! :)
You have influenced me as I choose paint colors for my home. I corresponded with you not too long ago about alabaster trim paint. It has worked so well in our home. I’ve also “copied” you using amazing gray, urbane bronze ( kitchen cabinets, built in’s, outside shutters and front door). I love your ideas and check in with your blog daily. Thank you for letting us have a glimpse into your home.
Thank you, Marilynn!
I did this in the last townhome we were in and it took me days because I also touched up and pretty much repainted the chair rail that went through the entire place. It looked great but I was SO glad to be done!
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My bedrooms and hallway are Shoji White, thanks to you. After two years I still love it and I’m considering repainting my living room (Pure White) to Shoji as well. I need to tackle the trim too. I love the crisp fresh look it brings. But I do make it point in my home to wipe up spots on my walls trim when I spot them. If you can do it in less than two minutes, do it. That’s my motto.
My living room is painted worldly grey! I love it! It’s the perfect blend of a warm grey without being too beige and does not have pink or purple undertones. I’ve never seen it mentioned on Pinterest or any other blogs (not that I’ve searched for it) but I thinks it’s such a great color.
Heading to our rent house in Alabama to do the same thing today. Totally stealing the wet wipe idea. I always paint with damp paper towels for quick clean ups but the wet wipes are a great idea, then I don’t have to keep getting up to get more damp towels.
Welcome back!
Love your blog and your home is beautiful! I was inspired by your posts recently about paint colors and flow, so I headed out to Sherwin Williams today to grab the card with your colors. It looks so much more tan-ish or creamy than it does in your photos. Is it an illusion? Do you think it looks different when it’s up on all the walls? I’m hoping for a really great gray and almost white combo to use – along with the dark paint option here and there. Thanks for any input!
Maybe it’s the difference in lighting. I’ve never seen any tan in it here…
Love how soft this white is, especially when used in your stripes; sometimes white and black can be too much, but this alabaster white seems like the perfect shade to be beautiful and comforting.
Help! I used Alabaster for our trim, cabinets and shiplap dining area walls and shoji white on on walls throughout the rest of the house. I am worrying That they are so close that it just looks like a mistake. What are your thoughts? I was going for a fresh airy look. Trim is unchangable but I could do another color on the walls with a lot of headache…
Well, I used the two together so my vote would be yes. :)