Creamy SW 7012 by Sherwin Williams is a beautiful colour that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home. It is a light and soft version of a cream colour considered an off-white, ideal for those looking to add that warmth without too much yellow. With its subtle undertones and ability to complement a wide range of design styles, Creamy is a go-to for those seeking a timeless backdrop.

Learn more about Creamy’s undertones, light reflectance value (LRV), how it performs in different lighting conditions, the best white trim colours to pair with it, and coordinating colours to enhance your space. Whether you're refreshing a single room or planning a whole-house palette, Creamy offers a great blend of warmth and sophistication.

Is Creamy the right paint colour for your interior? Let’s find out.

Creamy’s undertones

Creamy is a bright off-white with yellow undertones. Some people might be scared of these yellow tones, but they are muted by a soft neutral base offering a subtle warmth. If you hate paint colours showing even just a hint of yellow undertones, then Creamy might not be for you and I suggest you consider other white paint colours. I assure you, Creamy can be a beautiful warm off-white given the right lighting conditions, which we’ll get to later.

Creamy’s LRV

LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) helps determine how much light is absorbed or reflected by a paint colour. It is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, 0 being absolute black and absorbing all light, and 100 being pure white and reflecting all light. The higher the LRV, the lighter and brighter the paint colour. The LRV of a paint colour is an important factor to consider, especially if you're concerned about brightness or creating a specific ambience. Colours with higher LRVs tend to make a room feel brighter and more spacious, while colours with lower LRVs can create a more intimate or cosy atmosphere.

Creamy has an LRV of 81 which places it in the high end of the off-white range. Because of its rather high LRV, it can look slightly washed out in a very bright space, just like any other white paint colour. Creamy looks best in a space with moderate lighting; not too bright that it will wash it out, but with enough light (either natural or artificial) to reveal its beautiful warmth.

How does Creamy look in different lighting exposures?

Lighting greatly impacts how a paint colour is perceived within a space, whether it be natural or artificial light. Natural light varies throughout the day making colours look slightly different in the morning and the evening, which is why it’s essential to use samples before fully committing to a paint colour so you can see how colours look at various times of the day and you can decide if a paint colour is the right one for your space.

As I mentioned earlier, Creamy looks best in moderate lighting. In a south-facing room or afternoon western light, Creamy will look warmer and show its yellow undertones more prominently. In a north-facing room or afternoon eastern light, it is a perfect shade to balance out the cool light and add a subtle warmth to your space. If you want to avoid it looking too yellow, I’d recommend using it in north-facing rooms.

Check out this other warm creamy off-white: Benjamin Moore’s Navajo White.

Where can I use Creamy in my home?

Because of its yellow undertones, Creamy can be a tricky colour to use on cabinets and trims. If you want a white paint colour for your kitchen cabinets that you can more easily pair with different finishes, I would suggest White Dove by Benjamin Moore or Alabaster by Sherwin Williams. Creamy is best suited for interior walls with a crisp white trim.

Which white paint colour is Creamy best paired with?

To reveal all its beautiful tones and subtle warmth, Creamy is best paired with a bright white on the trims. Consider these whites with very subtle yellow undertones: Pure White SW 7005, White Snow SW 9541, Benjamin Moore Cloud White OC-30, Simply White OC-117, or Chantilly Lace OC-65.

Best coordinating paint colours

Creamy is quite versatile and pairs well with various warm tones. Consider a warm dark grey or charcoal like Urbane Bronze or Caviar, a navy blue such as In The Navy or Benjamin Moore’s Hale Navy, a dark green like Evergreens or Pewter Green, a terracotta hue like Reynard, or a shade of greige with slight green undertones such as Amazing Gray or Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter.

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Creamy by Sherwin Williams is a beautiful inviting and cosy warm off-white, ideal to give a subtle touch of elegance to your interior.

Still not sure if it’s the right shade for your home? No need to worry! If you find choosing the right colour for your home stressful and overwhelming, I also provide a Custom Interior Colour Palette service. I would love to make this process easier for you and help you create an interior that reflects your personality and where you feel at peace. If you need more information about my services or simply want to get in touch with me, click here.

Thank you for reading and happy decorating!

Manon xx

Paint Colour Review: Creamy by Sherwin Williams