Benjamin Moore Simply White is as Creamy as Alabaster, but a Whole Lot Brighter!

If you’ve been shopping for a white paint color, you already know that there aren’t a lot of bright white options on the market. A warm bright white is a unicorn, but we have found one in Benjamin Moore Simply White.

A set of simple white plaster steps above a swatch of simply white oc-117 by Benjamin Moore

Here you will see Simply White in real homes, talk about undertones, and gather some coordinating color ideas! Is Simply White the white you’ve been looking for?

What Color is Benjamin Moore Simply White? (2143-70 or OC-117)

Very simply, Simply White is a bright white with a hint of creaminess.

Simply White with a black Victorian fireplace — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

It is technically a yellow white, meaning that it is in the yellow area of the color wheel, but it is bright. Like really bright. So in general it doesn’t look like a color.

Is Simply White Too Yellow?

If your tolerance for yellow is zero, you might not like Simply White. Try Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace instead.

That being said, it typically does look pretty classic and crisp, without too much obvious creaminess or yellow tones.

Paintbrush swipe of Benjamin Moore Simply White

When the light is just right and you get the maximum warmth of Simply White, it does tend to lean more yellow than orange whites, which will look more beige.

Here is a max creamy look to Simply White:

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a large living room/billiard room with cool white trim where the color looks quite warm on the walls. — Photo credit: @1870customhouse

If you want to minimize yellow tones, do NOT choose a cool white for your trim and ceilings. Use Simply White for everything.

Why You Might Want a Subtle Yellow Tone

Stop right there before you write off all yellow based creams! Yellow is the color that appears brightest to the human eye.

This means that a yellow based white will appear the absolute lightest and brightest.

It actually works the same with hair, a gold-toned blonde will appear brighter than an ashy one.

A sunny whitewashed village beside a swatch of simply white oc-117 by Benjamin Moore

Help! Simply White Looks Green!

The most likely culprit for your cream paint looking green, is the green reflections from outside.

We painted our living room in a soft white and it looked so green that our Realtor couldn’t believe it was white.

Is there a solution?

You could try bringing in some true green decor such as plants, throw pillows or blankets, or a painted side table. That may help your eye see the walls as a creamy white.

There may not be a solution that doesn’t involve repainting, but you can still have creamy white walls.

An orange or red based white will neutralize green shadows from outside and should not have the same problem.

Try Sherwin Williams Snowbound for a better undertone in this scenario:

Snowbound Board and Batten above Snowbound shiplap in a powder room — Photo Credit: @wood_visions

LRV of Benjamin Moore Simply White

The LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of a color indicates on a scale of 0 – 100 how much light a color reflects (or doesn’t reflect). True black has an LRV of 0 and pure white has an LRV of 100.

In the paint world, we are working in a range of about 3 – 93 because no paint color is purely black or completely white.

Here’s the super power of Simply White: It has an LRV of 89.5, so it is at the tippy top of lightness.

Paint drop of simply white superimposed over a round mirror in a simply white bathroom with a green vanity and framed wall art

In terms of white paint colors that are this light, there just aren’t a lot. Because Simply White is so light, it really helps temper any obvious undertones.

LRVs of white and off white paint colors where Simply White is marked at 89.5 amongst other popular white paint colors, where 100 is pure white.

What Are the Undertones of Benjamin Moore Simply White?

As I mentioned earlier, Simply White is a yellow white. On a yellow scale, Simply White is closer to green than it is to orange.

The Benjamin Moore Simply White Color strip features shades from light to dark: Simply White, Moonlight White, Old Prairie, Camouflage, Olive Branch, Alligator Green, and Sage over a background of a creamy white plaster wall with an arch shelf inset.

This is the double-edged sword that makes Simply White as bright as possible, but also more susceptible to green shadows.

The hex value chart for Benjamin Moore Simply White over a photo of the color on walls in a stairwell. Graphic reads "Benjamin Moore Simply White undertones."

I don’t want to overstate that problem though, you will see from the example photos that it’s not a common issue. For the most part, Simply White looks really nice and white.

An angular window framed by all Simply white walls and trim with a scandiavian pendant light fixture — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Is Simply White Warm or Cool?

As a yellow white, Simply White is a warm white. It can be used as a neutral, but it will never look cool.

Simply White at 75%

We have the rare opportunity to actually show you Simply White at a different strength. This is a popular option when a white is just not quite right.

In The Hawthorn House (@thehawthornhouse), the home owners decided to use Benjamin Moore Simply White at 3/4 strength in their whole house.

Simply White 75% strength in vaulted Living Room — Photo Credit: @thehawthornhouse

In this design, they actually opted to use a different white for the kitchen cabinets.

Here you see Chantilly Lace on the cabinets, and Simply White everywhere else:

Chantilly Lace cabinets and 3/4 strength Simply White walls in kitchen — Photo Credit: @thehawthornhouse

The difference is subtle, but in the shadows you can see the warmth of Simply White a little more.

Anyways, that gives you an idea of both Simply White compared directly to Chantilly Lace, and a glimpse of the paint mixed lighter.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a Color Palette

Instead of my usual color palettes, here is one with all of the popular Simply White pairings:

Benjamin Moore Simply White in a living room with cream and wood furniture above a selection of coordinating paint colors as listed in the article — Background photo credit: @lexstyleanddesign

Coordinating Colors for Simply White

Simply White with Benjamin Moore Classic Gray

Don’t let the name fool you! Classic Gray is more of an off white than an actual gray.

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Classic Gray

Here it is on the wall in a bedroom:

Classic Gray on the walls of a bedroom with white bedding and a gallery wall — Photo Credit: @gatheredliving

Simply White would provide some contrast while still keeping things soft and creamy.

Simply White with Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray

Edgecomb Gray is one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular greige paint colors. It ranges in appearance from a taupey mushroom color to light beige, but rarely looks all the way gray.

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Edgecomb Gray

You should expect the warmth of Simply White to keep Edgecomb Gray quite neutral and probably not looking its warmest.

Here is an example of this combo:

Baby Fawn walls with Simply White trim and railings — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

I do think Edgecomb Gray typically looks a bit darker than this, but there is a lot of natural light here.

Simply White with Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter

Revere Pewter is another greige option for your whole home, and the most popular neutral from Benjamin Moore.

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Revere Pewter

Here is an example of how this combination will look together. I think the white is a little darker than Simply White, but it is a warm one!

Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter on trim in a hallway with creamy white walls. — Photo Credit: @homefortheweilers

Simply White with Benjamin Moore Kendall Charcoal

Kendall Charcoal is a moody charcoal color that will help elevate the warm undertone of Simply White.

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Kendall Charcoal

This color was once a sweetheart but doesn’t seem to be reached for as often these days. Kendall Charcoal is a bit of a chameleon and a really beautiful color, so I think we should bring it back!

Simply White with Benjamin Moore Hale Navy

Hale Navy might just be the most popular navy blue on the market, and it would look very classic with the brightness of Simply White.

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Hale Navy

The “official” complementary color for Simply White is actually a very soft blue, but Hale Navy could be considered a darker version.

Hale Navy is a very muted navy blue color, so it has all the versatility of a pair of good jeans.

Simply White with Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

Black and white is also a classic color scheme, and Simply White brings the contrast!

Benjamin Moore Simply White swatched as a paint dot beside coordinating color Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black

The most popular inky black paint color is Sherwin Williams Tricorn Black, and these two look great together!

More Black and Simply White Inspiration

These stairs are painted in Farrow & Ball Pitch Black, with Simply White on the trim, risers, and banister:

Farrow & Ball pitch black stairs with Simply White Trim and banister — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Farrow & Ball pitch black stair treads with SImply White risers and Simply White board and button — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Simply White Ceiling and trim around fireplace with custom cream walls — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

It’s subtle, but the ceiling and curve of the wall is painted in Simply White, as is the woodwork around the fireplace, but the walls are a custom tinted cream.

Benjamin Moore Simply White Trim Considerations

First up:

Can you use Simply White for trim?

Simply White is a great choice for trim!

It happens to be a favorite for Adrien from Word of Mouth Painting. You will see lots of his projects in this article.

Simply White on banister and door and floor trim. — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

In this room, Simply White provides some contrast against the creamier white of Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

In this next home by Word of Mouth, the walls are painted in Benjamin Moore Baby Fawn:

Hold up! Isn’t that the same stairwell from “Edgecomb Gray?”

Baby Fawn and Edgecomb Gray are actually the same color!

I have a few more images from this home. Here is the neutral palette that Adrien came up with:

Word of Mouth Painting Simply White palette featuring Baby Fawn, Ashwood, and Balboa Mist — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

You will see the other rooms shortly!

Trim Choices for Simply White Walls

Wood Trim

I know someone will want to know if Simply White can work with wood trim, so here is one example that I scrounged up!

That looks like a walnut color, but Simply White would definitely work with oak or dark wood trim. It’s a very classic white, so the combination just makes sense.

White Paint that Goes with Simply White

I don’t see any point in choosing a white paint other than Simply White for your trim if you are also putting it on the walls.

It has such a high LRV that many other whites will actually be darker, and those that aren’t won’t really contrast.

If you do want white trim and some contrast, choose Simply White in a semi-gloss for the trim. It’s amazing what a difference that subtle change can make.

Simply White on walls and trim in an upstairs hallway with a natural walnut banister — Photo Credit: @lasservices

Contrasting Color Trim with Simply White

Not sold on all white ere’thing? What about choosing a color?

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray actually makes a really nice trim color with white walls, but here are a couple other ideas:

Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige is such a great choice for trim that I have a whole post about it! White Walls with Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige Trim

Behr Swiss Coffee walls with Sherwin Williams Accessible Beige on the trim and doors in an area tucked beside a large staircase. — Photo Credit: @nest_on_nightingale

This go-with-everything beige has a luxurious creamy quality.

Benjamin Moore Fieldstone Gray

Sage green is actually rising in popularity as a trim choice!

Sage green gray trim around a door of the same color with Simply White walls — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

I love how classic the non-traditional gray-green of Fieldstone looks as a trim choice!

Meridith from @lexstyleanddesign has Simply White throughout her home. I have collected some highlights for this post, but if you crave more, head over to her IG after and take a look at alllll of the inspo.

Meridith actually faked the look of the paneled door by using permanent marker! Like what??

Benjamin Moore Smokestack Gray

Not all that gray, but Smokestack Gray with Simply White makes a delightful frame for Meridith’s retro-modern kitchen.

What’s your favorite paint color? Why not try it out as trim?

Benjamin Moore Simply White for Your Home’s Interior

Rest assured, I’ve got Simply White almost anywhere that you want to see it! This is a great white for your whole home.

Let’s start in the foyer:

Simply White on all the walls in a magnificent foyer with spiral staircase — Photo Credit: @true_colors_painting

It’s still under construction, but you get the idea! You can see how Simply White looks like a pretty true white.

Over by the door you can see a little hint of cream.

Simply White on Shiplap

Simply White might actually be the perfect shade for shiplap if you want a white that is creamy without being gray or muted.

Here it is in Meridith’s kitchen:

Simply White on panelling in kitchen with black and white patterned tile floor and wood table with mid century modern chairs — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

Okay, since it’s vertical I think it’s technically paneling, but I thought it was regular shiplap until I dug up the photo again, so it stays!

Word of Mouth painting used glossy Simply White on a shiplap and beam ceiling:

Semi gloss simply white shiplap panels on a ceiling with warm wood beams and a natural river rock fireplace — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Beautiful!

In the bathroom the walls were painted in Simply White too:

Semi gloss simply white shiplap panels on a ceiling with warm wood beams and simply white walls — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Looking pretty crisp and clean here!

Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Living Room

Of course we’re going back to Meridith’s because she has Simply White on lock!

Here is her living room:

Simply White on Living room walls cabinets and brick fireplace with stylish mid century furniture and a cozy rug. — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

I do love traditional brick, but here’s your sign to try Simply White if you want to paint over brick in your home.

This is the perfect background for a gallery wall:

Simply White Gallery wall in Living Room with a gray couch — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

The subtle cream of Simply White allows the white frames to stand out too.

Here is Simply White at work in a Scandinavian inspired space, painted by Word of Mouth Painting:

Simply White in a modern home with warm wood floors — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

This home is a great example actually, because there is a LOT of greenery outside, but in this case it is not turning the walls green.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Dining Room

Here’s another shot of Meridith’s chic little dining area:

A view into the dining area of a simply white kitchen with smokestack gray trim around the door — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

This dining room is painted in Benjamin Moore Ashwood, with Simply White on the trim:

Benjamin Moore Ashwood walls with Simply White trim in a dining room with honey oak furniture — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Here is an all-Simply-White room that I think(?) is a dining room:

Simply White dining room with sliding glass door and round funky crystal light fixture — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Again, not green! So that’s good news.

Before we get into this next home, I have to show you the exterior of Old Custom House (@1870customhouse):

An imposing brick home that used to be a government building, on a snowy day. — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

Does it have any bearing on what we are talking about? No, not really. I just felt like you needed to see it.

I suppose it does provide some context for the stunning interior of this former government building in Maine.

Simply White on the walls of a former 1870's government building, behind a long wood dining table with matching black chairs and a chandelier — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

I’m certainly open to dining here!

The walls here are Simply White, but the trim is not. Next to a cooler white, in low light, Simply White appears more cream:

Simply White in a hallway in low light with cool white trim and antique pendant lights — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

Here is Simply White on brick, beside a custom tinted cream:

Simply White on Brick wall beside a custom tinted cream with retro furniture — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

You can see that next to an actual cream, Simply White looks white.

Here is the same color scheme, this time with Simply White on the ceilings and trim:

Custome tinted cream on walls with simply white on ceilings and trim — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Moving on to the heart of the home:

Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Kitchen

This is in the same Scandinavian inspired home that Word of Mouth Painting worked on:

All Simply White kitchen with geometric light fixtures hanging above an island with white countertops — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Light and bright! This might be one of my favorite kitchens to date.

Here we are back in the kitchen of the 1870’s refurb project.

Simply white in a kitchen with a long blue island and tall ceilings in a former government building — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

The cabinets are painted in Farrow & Ball Pigeon.

Hold up!

Farrow & Ball Pigeon vs Evergreen Fog on a card of several other muted greens

What??

I had to actually check on the cabinet color, because Pigeon is a greenish gray color and this looks smoky blue here, but it is correct!

Here is a better example of Pigeon:

Pigeon front door — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

Now that’s just crazy! What a difference lighting can make. If you like this color, Farrow & Ball designed the color Treron to be a darker version of Pigeon, and I have dupes for that color here: Dupes for Farrow & Ball Treron from More Accessible Brands

Simply White Kitchen Cabinets

It’s a little surprising that Simply White isn’t a more popular choice for cabinets, because it is a nice bright white.

Thankfully Meridith came through again with Simply White on her cabinets:

Simply White in a two tone kitchen with onyx black lower cabinets — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

The lowers are Benjamin Moor Onyx.

Simply White works great with the contrasting black paint and light fixture:

Simply White cabinets above white subway tile framing a kitchen window — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

Does Simply White Work With Marble?

You might be worried that Simply White will clash with marble countertops or tile, but in reality natural stone is rarely a super bright cool white.

In Meridith’s kitchen above, the subtle creamy tones of Simply White work just fine with the marble.

Here it is again on this backsplash (although this is mixed at 3/4 strength) :

Chantilly Lace white cabinets wiith Simply White 75% strength on walls — Photo Credit: @thehawthornhouse

It does look a little creamier here, but I think that is down to the cleaner white of Chantilly Lace on the cabinets.

If you like that, great! If you don’t, just use Simply White on the cabinets as well, or paint them a different color entirely.

Can You Use Simply White on Kitchen Walls with Honey Oak Cabinets?

Absolutely you can! In fact, the warmth of the honey oak will likely make Simply White look even crisper.

Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Bedroom

Here is Simply White on the trim and ceiling in a bedroom with Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist on the walls:

Simply White trim with Balboa Mist walls — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

Here it is again on the trim and ceiling, but this time with powder blue walls:

Benjamin Moore Simply White on the trim and ceiling with powder blue walls — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

I love the reflections on the Simply White walls here:

Farrow & Ball Pigeon Doors in a simply white bedroom — Photo Credit: @1870customhouse

It takes me back in time!

Benjamin Moore Simply White in the Bathroom

Just a few more photos from Meridith now, as we take a look at her chic little bathroom:

All White bathroom with simply white — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

The walls and trim are Simply White, and the vanity is Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball.

Simply white on a bathroom wall with a round mirror, framed art, and Farrow & Ball Green Smoke vanity — Photo Credit: @lexstyleanddesign

Benjamin Moore Simply White on an Exterior

I was only able to find one all-Simply-White exterior for you, but it’s a gooder!

Oyster Bay front door — Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

I won’t lie to you, Simply White looks much creamier than I anticipated on this exterior.

You will want to swatch it outside and see what it does!

Morgan (@morgan.baswell) chose Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay for her front door:

Simply White Exterior on a sunny day — Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

One last one at night:

Simply White Exterior with Christmas Lights at night — Photo Credit: @morgan.baswell

I also found some great examples of Simply White on exterior trim and accents.

Simply White ceiling and trim on an enclosed porch with acadia white shakes and polished wood floors — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

This first house features Benjamin Moore Acadia White on the shakes, and Simply White on the trim and ceilings.

Acadia white cedar shakes on an enclosed porch with Simply White ceilings and trim — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

The siding on this next house is Benjamin Moore Storm Cloud Gray:

Simply White trim on a gray green house with cedar shake accents — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

I would say that it’s definitely a greenish gray. It looks pretty similar to Benjamin Moore Dry Sage.

Red door with orange trim and simply white wider trim in a front door stoop with gray siding — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

The white of Simply White look super crisp outside in this color scheme:

Back of a Gray green house with white simply trim — Photo Credit: @word_of_mouth_painting

For more gray green paint colors like Storm Cloud Gray and Oyster Bay, check out this post: Ultra Sophisticated Gray Green Paint Colors

Simply White Compared to Other White Paint Colors

If you want to see how Simply White stacks up against many other white paint colors, I recently moved that section to a dedicated post because it was just a bit much here! : Simply White Compared! See this Benjamin Moore White vs 30+ Other White Paints

If you’re looking for dupes for Simply White from other brands, check out my post: Revealing the Sherwin Williams Version of Simply White (Plus Other Brands!)

Simply White Final Moody Musings

Wow! That was a doozy! I just LOVE to share all the great photos when I find them. Thanks for sticking it out!

Let’s summarize:

Simply White is a bright white that can have a hint of creamy yellow
Minimize yellow tones by using Simply White as your only white (maximize with a cool white trim)
Simply White is great as an exterior or interior trim color, and almost always looks like a crisp white when used sparingly

Simply White isn’t your first choice? I’ve got more!

Sherwin WIlliams white flour on a paint lid on a floured butcher block surface.

Chantilly Lace paint lid over image of woman in a lace wedding dress.