In our Brock project, we chose Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee (OC‑45) for all the walls and trim and Sherwin‑Williams White Duck (SW‑7010) for the cabinetry. Together, they create a warm, cohesive feel without ever looking cold or washed out, even in bright sunlight.
Swiss Coffee is a soft, creamy off-white with an LRV of around 82 to 84. For those unfamiliar, LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value. It is a scale from 0 to 100 that measures how much light a color reflects. Higher numbers mean the color bounces more light and feels brighter, while lower numbers absorb more light and feel cozier. Swiss Coffee sits in that sweet spot where it reflects light beautifully while remaining inviting and warm. Its undertones of yellow, beige, and a subtle hint of green allow it to pair easily with both cool and warm elements in a space.
Sherwin‑Williams White Duck, with an LRV of approximately 74, is slightly deeper and richer than Swiss Coffee. Its warm beige undertone makes it a perfect choice for cabinetry and trim, providing contrast that still reads soft and intentional. White Duck is often confused with Benjamin Moore White Dove, but the two are very different. White Duck has more depth and warmth, making it ideal for layering in a neutral palette.
There has been a lot of discussion recently about painting whole homes white, and even Pantone named white as Color of the Year. Some people shy away from white because it can feel stark or cold. Our design philosophy embraces neutral palettes because they are timeless and versatile. Texture, textiles, and accent colors bring warmth and personality to a home, and most people change their taste in color more often than they repaint all walls, trim, and cabinetry. Thoughtful whites like Swiss Coffee and White Duck create a beautiful canvas that adapts over time without feeling dated.
While we do love a well-executed color drench and have designed our fair share, we want to show how stunning white can be before it is dismissed because of recent trends or negativity. Swiss Coffee and White Duck work together to create warmth, depth, and a timeless foundation that lets your furniture, textiles, and accessories shine.
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