The Hunt for the Perfect Neutral to Pair with Today’s Earthy Green Obsession

Could Alabaster be the secret sauce — or will another neutral steal the crown?

The hunt begins: The winner in the backdrop, seven neutrals ready for comparison.

Finding the right whole-house neutral is a little like hunting for the perfect pair of jeans — you know it has to work with everything, but it also needs to feel fresh, flattering, and a little bit fun. This time, the search was even more special: we’re designing my oldest son and his wife’s very first home together. It may be a starter home, but that doesn’t mean it can’t look like a designer home. And with earthy greens taking center stage in today’s design world — think Sherwin-Williams Artichoke on the front door, Oak Moss tucked into a bedroom, and fresh accents of muted yellow and blue — the neutral we chose had to be both timeless and cheerful. Pair that with light-to-medium hardwood floors, crisp Sherwin Williams Pure White trim and cabinets, and Cambria Everleigh countertops, and the stakes felt even higher. The wrong neutral could fall flat or fight with all that southwest sunlight, but the right one would carry this entire palette gracefully from the sunny living room to the shaded north-facing kitchen. So the hunt began.

The search began with a palette of warm, nature-inspired hues — earthy greens like Sherwin-Williams Artichoke and Oak Moss, paired with soft neutrals and cheerful accents to create a timeless, welcoming first home.

Alabaster (SW 7008): The 1st Love

When this project started, I’ll admit I had no plan not to use Alabaster. For my son and his wife’s first home, I wanted something cheerful, classic, and welcoming — and Alabaster felt like the obvious choice. She’s a soft, warm white that designers adore because she reads creamy without ever turning dingy. I loved the energy her sunny undertone brought to the palette — perfect for a young couple’s first place that could still feel designer without breaking the budget.

But once I started painting big samples, especially in that southwest-facing living room drenched in golden light, I realized I had to see how Alabaster’s warmth would hold up next to everything else. The Cambria Everleigh countertops, with their cool gray veining and warm sandy tones, added a whole new layer to think about. (Not exactly your typical first-home countertop, I know — but you’d be amazed what treasures you can find tucked away in a stone yard’s remnant pile!) With an LRV of 82, I wanted to make sure Alabaster stayed soft and inviting rather than blinding in all those windows — and if you’re wondering what LRV even means, hang tight. I’ll explain that in the next section.

So while she’s still very much in the running, it was time to pull a few more contenders — a mix of fresh neutrals and subtle earthy tones — to see who’d rise to the top.

The lineup: eight popular neutrals compared by undertone and LRV in the hunt for the perfect partner to earthy greens.

Why These Little Numbers Matter (aka LRV-101)

See that extra column with numbers in the 60s through 80s? That’s LRV — Light Reflectance Value. If you’ve ever wondered why one white feels soft and creamy while another nearly blinds you in the afternoon sun, that’s where LRV comes in. It’s a fancy designer term that simply tells you how much light a color bounces back into a room. The higher the number, the brighter the paint will appear.

For example, Alabaster’s LRV of 82 means she reflects a lot of light — beautiful in dim spaces but a little extra in rooms with big sunny windows. Lower-LRV colors absorb more light, giving you moodier depth and less glare. I always keep an eye on that number when testing paint, but it’s not the only deciding factor — lighting direction, undertones, and surrounding finishes all play their part.

So don’t let the acronym scare you off. Think of LRV as one more tool in your designer toolbox — a quick way to predict how your walls will actually feel once the sunlight hits them.

Image courtesy of Lori Sawaya, Color Strategist and Expert at The Land of Color. This LRV scale visually shows how much light a color reflects — from 0% (darkest) to 100% (brightest).

Creamy (SW 7012): Buttered Biscuit Energy

I’ll be honest, Creamy was the first color that made me pause. With an LRV of 81, she’s bright, soft, and absolutely lives up to her name — but in this house, she leaned a little too yellow for comfort. Think buttered biscuit left out in the sunshine. In the right home, Creamy can be beautiful — especially in north-facing rooms where that warmth feels cozy and calm. But in a southwest-facing space already flooded with golden light, she started bossing everyone around. Some homeowners try her on cabinets or trim, but she doesn’t always play nice with other finishes — Alabaster usually handles that job with more grace.

Comparison is critical when choosing paint — especially whites and off-whites. Undertones are sneaky little things, and you’ll never truly spot them unless you look at colors side by side. I always line them up next to each other and tape a sheet of plain white printer paper behind them. That bright border instantly separates the colors and makes those undertones holler loud and clear. What looks soft and neutral on its own can turn straight-up sunshine next to something cleaner — and that’s where the fun really starts.

Without a side-by-side comparison, Creamy’s yellow undertone would’ve been much harder to spot.

Ballet White (BM OC-9): The Ballerina in Beige Shoes → graceful but grounded

Now this one hits close to home — literally. I have Benjamin Moore's Ballet White throughout my own house, and I can say with confidence it’s one of the most flexible neutrals out there. With an LRV of 71.97, it sits just at the edge of the off-white range, which means it has enough depth to offer contrast with white trim but still reads light and airy. Ballet White carries a creamy base, but it’s toned down by a neutral backdrop that keeps it from flashing yellow, so it feels soft, subtle, and incredibly livable. In south-facing rooms, it glows warm without going golden, and in north-facing spaces, it takes on a cooler, greige-like cast that still feels welcoming. It’s that ‘wear-with-anything’ shade that flatters wood, stone, and every finish.

So could Ballet White have worked in my son’s and daughter-in-law's first home? Absolutely — it would’ve been beautiful. But once we put it up against Cambria Everleigh countertops, with their mix of cool gray veining and sandy warmth, it felt like Ballet White leaned a touch too warm. For this project, I needed a neutral that carried just a little more gray in its backbone to balance both the countertops and the earthy greens we were threading throughout the design. Ballet White will always be a favorite of mine, and for many homes she’s the perfect whole-house neutral — but in this hunt, she gracefully bowed out.

One of my longtime favorites — Ballet White (BM OC-9) is the soft, flexible neutral I use in my own home. Its creamy warmth feels inviting without ever going yellow, making it one of the most versatile off-whites a designer can have in their palette.

White Down (BM OC-131): The Wallflower Cream

White Down is a soft, soothing cream with an LRV of 76.69, which puts it right in that light-but-not-too-light category. She’s versatile, she’s calm, and she pairs well with both cool and warm elements—everything from creamy countertops to natural wood floors. In a kitchen with taupe cabinets or soft greige finishes, she can be a total team player.

But for me? White Down never even made it into the running. And since I’m team Sherwin-Williams for this project, White Down didn’t make the list. Pair that with Cambria Everleigh countertops and earthy greens, and White Down would have leaned a little too creamy without the subtle gray grounding I needed. She’s timeless and classic for many homes — but for this project, she wasn’t even asked to audition.

White Down (BM OC-131) may be the softer sister to Ballet White (BM OC-9), but side by side, her extra creaminess and yellow undertone become clear. Ballet White feels slightly grayer and more grounded, while White Down drifts warmer — lovely in many homes, just not quite right for this project’s earthy-green palette.

Shoji White (SW 7042): The Goldilocks of Neutrals

Shoji White is that rare neutral who walks into the room and instantly feels… just right. With an LRV of 74, she’s light enough to keep things airy, but not so bright she blinds you when the sun pours in. Unlike her creamier cousin (looking at you, Creamy), Shoji White brings a subtle dose of gray to calm her warmth, like slipping a linen blazer over a sundress. She’s warm, she’s grounded, and she doesn’t demand all the attention.

In our southwest-facing living room, Shoji White didn’t go yellow and bossy the way Creamy would have. In the north-facing kitchen, she stayed soft and cozy instead of turning muddy. And when I held her against Cambria Everleigh — hello, match made in heaven. That little whisper of gray tucked into her undertone synced beautifully with Everleigh’s veining while still playing nice with the sandy warmth. At one point I swore I caught a faint pink wink from her in the right light (no one else saw it, but I stand by it!). That’s the thing about Shoji White: she’s complex, but in a way that makes her endlessly interesting.

So is she “the one”? You’ll have to wait until the end of this hunt to know for sure. But I will say this: Shoji White isn’t just another creamy off-white. She’s the Goldilocks of neutrals — balanced, versatile, and perfectly at home with earthy greens.

When viewed beside Alabaster, Shoji White reveals her secret — a soft pink wink that’s barely noticeable on its own but adds just the right warmth next to earthy greens, Cambria Everleigh countertops, and the terracotta sofa. Proof that undertones always show their true colors in comparison.

White Duck (SW 7010): The Safe Sister

White Duck is one of those neutrals that just feels… dependable. With the same LRV as Shoji White (74), they share similar depth — both sitting in that soft off-white category that can lean warm or neutral depending on the light. For this project, I compared the two side by side since they live at the same brightness level, even though Ballet White — the one in my own home — is a little deeper and creamier.

Where Alabaster and Shoji White both carry a bit of life in their undertones — Alabaster with her sunny warmth and Shoji with her gentle hint of gray — White Duck stays quieter. She’s warm and creamy, but a touch more subdued. Some might call that versatile. I call it playing it a little too safe for this house.

When I tested it, White Duck felt calm but not particularly uplifting — almost flat compared to the glow of Alabaster or the balance of Shoji White. That said, she’s a solid choice for many homes (including my sister’s, which I happily recommended!). White Duck is steady, timeless, and easy to live with, perfect for someone wanting a soft, neutral backdrop.

White Duck (SW 7010) offered a soft, steady warmth that felt timeless and dependable — especially in natural light. But in this project, her warmth read a touch too cozy when what we needed was something with just a bit more freshness and lift. Beautiful? Absolutely. But not quite the spark this palette was asking for.

Aesthetic White (SW 7035): The Quiet Achiever

Aesthetic White is the kind of color that sneaks up on you. With an LRV of 73, it lives right in that light, off-white range — but unlike Creamy or Alabaster, it doesn’t shout “warmth.” Instead, it leans a bit grayer, a little more muted, giving it a grounded, sophisticated feel. Beige at heart with a soft gray undertone, it never feels fussy — which is exactly why I’ve recommended it so many times — two of my close friends chose it for their homes, and it looks gorgeous in both. It’s one of those neutrals that plays well with just about everything: wood tones, stone, and even kitchens that don’t quite suit a bright white cabinet.

When I tested it with the Cambria Everleigh countertops, that grounding gray worked beautifully with Everleigh’s soft veining and sandy warmth. But where Alabaster and Shoji White carry a bit more lightness and cheer, Aesthetic White brings calm and quiet confidence. In a home layered with earthy greens, terracotta, and muted yellow, she might just be the steady heartbeat that lets those colors shine — or she could read a touch too reserved. We’ll see where she lands once the final comparisons are up.

Aesthetic White (SW 7035) proved to be a true contender — a calm, grounded neutral that bridges beige and gray with quiet sophistication. Its soft, balanced undertones paired beautifully with the Cambria Everleigh countertops and natural wood tones, offering a timeless warmth that feels effortlessly elegant in any light.

Limewash (SW 9589): The Modern Muse

Limewash had me hooked from the start. With an LRV of 67, she’s softer on the eyes than a high-LRV white, with just enough grounding to handle all that southwest light. Add in that faint whisper of green — a subtle nod to the earthy palette I’ve been chasing with Artichoke and Oak Moss.

There’s something about Limewash that feels equal parts modern and timeless — calm, grounded, and quietly confident. She brings an earthy freshness that makes a space feel relaxed yet refined, and she’s got just enough personality to keep things interesting. In a home filled with natural textures and organic color, Limewash could be the one to tie it all together.

Limewash (SW 9589) earned its spot among the final four — a softly grounded neutral with just a whisper of green that felt perfectly at home in the light-filled living room.

Shoji White (SW 7042): The Balanced Beauty That Stole the Show

And then came Shoji White — the one that snuck up on me. At first glance, she looked like just another warm neutral — but side by side with the others, she struck the perfect balance

With an LRV of 74, Shoji White sat right in that sweet spot — bright enough to keep the north-facing kitchen from feeling flat, but not so high that it blinded us in the southwest-facing living room. She carried a soft creaminess, yet tucked in just enough gray to harmonize with the subtle veining in the Cambria Everleigh countertops. And while no one else seemed to see it, I swear she flashed the faintest blush of pink when stacked against the other contenders — just enough to give her a hint of personality without turning fussy.

Alabaster was cheerful and welcoming, but in all that golden light she risked running away with the warmth. Aesthetic White had that grounded calm I loved — graceful and refined — but she pulled back just a bit too much when I needed lift. Limewash tempted me with her quiet green undertone and modern depth, but she asked for more consistent light than this home could give.

Shoji White, though, did what none of them could. She brought the cheer of Alabaster, the poise of Aesthetic White, and the calm confidence of Limewash — all wrapped into one beautifully balanced neutral. She offered cheerfulness without chaos, warmth without heaviness, and a designer look that felt both timeless and inviting.

Shoji White wasn’t just a contender. She was the clear winner — the paint color equivalent of a Southern belle: gracious, balanced, and full of charm.

But here’s the thing: what worked beautifully in my son’s southwest-facing living room may not look the same in your north-facing kitchen. That’s why testing is everything. Paint is personal, and seeing colors side by side in your own light is where the real magic happens..

And the winner of the Neutral Showdown — Shoji White (SW 7042)! This soft, cheerful neutral won our hearts for my son and his wife’s open-plan living room, pairing beautifully with earthy greens, wood tones, and Cambria Everleigh countertops for a warm, timeless look.

Why You Have to Test (Seriously, Don’t Skip This Step!)

Remember: NEVER, EVER use paint matches from a different brand than the one specified. Results are poor, and there are no standards for the sheens. Even though your painter may swear up and down that they can do it — trust me, don’t.

And no matter what, always test your paint colors. It’s the one “shortcut” that’s never worth taking. Whenever I test, the colors are perfect; when I don’t, I regret it. Every. Single. Time.

That’s where peel-and-stick samples from Samplize save the day. They let you see the real color on your walls, in your light, with your finishes — without the mess of paint cans and rollers.

This post contains affiliate links for products I use and love. If you click on some links and make a purchase, I will get a small commission at no cost to you. This helps pay for the costs of the blog, so I can continue to offer great content to our readers.

The Hunt is Over (But Yours is Just Beginning!)

For our project, Shoji White stole the crown — cheerful enough to balance earthy greens, yet subtle enough to cozy up to Cambria Everleigh. But remember, the perfect neutral is personal. What sings in my southwest-facing living room might whisper in your north-facing kitchen.

So grab a few samples, slap them on the wall, and let the light do the talking. Because when it comes to paint, the thrill is in the hunt… and the prize is a home that feels perfectly, unmistakably you.