This Sherwin-Williams paint palette features 5 staple hues for a sophisticated and anti-trend home – learn all about the 'Quiet Elegance' shades

From warm whites to darker shades, this paint palette is effortlessly timeless

dark brown living room, white and burgundy kitchen, white wall with artwork and bench
(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)

The world of paint colors can soon become overwhelming, with trend-topping hues continually evolving. However, turning to timeless paint colors is a great way to create a sophisticated home that holds its own amid quickly passing trends.

Sherwin-Williams has just revealed the perfect paint palette to embrace timeless room color ideas, named 'Quiet Elegance'. Spanning five sophisticated, enduring shades, this palette offers longevity and lends itself to many design styles and house types.

We spoke to a Sherwin-Williams color specialist to round up all you need to know about each of the subtly sophisticated shades, from warm whites to darker hues.

Creamy SW 7012

white wall with neutral landscape artwork, wall sconce, white modern minimalist bench and plant in the corner

(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)

'Creamy SW 7012 tells a story of quiet elegance as a bright and inviting white with a delicate yellow undertone, creating a subtle warmth in any space,' explains Emily Kantz, Color Marketing Manager at Sherwin-Williams.

'It’s a beautiful foundational shade for homeowners looking for an upscale palette, timeless or modern. Creamy SW 7012 is a chic shade that can be carried throughout the home to connect each space while still adding deeper tones or unique furniture pieces. Also, consider layering the other neutral hues for a style that feels comfortable and yet sophisticated,' says Emily.

Creamy was also named Sherwin-Williams' January Color of the Month, making it a go-to warm white paint for the year ahead.

Keystone Gray SW 7504

While cool gray paints can feel cold and drab, the world of warm gray paints offers a welcoming feel with a modern edge, such as Sherwin-Williams' Keystone Gray.

'Keystone Gray SW 7504 balances out the quiet elegance palette as a warm gray,' explains Emily. 'It pairs well with lighter neutrals like Creamy SW 7012 and Minimalist SW 9611 while acting as a foundational shade for deeper hues like Sealskin SW 7675 and Carnelian SW 7580.'

Neutral paints like this one are versatile to use in almost every room, but Emily adds that it makes a perfect choice for social spaces: 'I’d love to see this shade in a dining room, carried into a kitchen or living room with accents of deeper shades.'

Sealskin SW 7675

living room with dark brown walls, brown sofa and moody decor

(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)

A dark brown paint, Sherwin-Williams' Sealskin is a sophisticated way to make a statement with your paint ideas. Whether you use it as an accent color or to color-drench a space, it's bold yet liveable for a timeless look.

'Sealskin SW 7675 is a deep and bold brown that is sleek and refined,' says Emily. 'It creates a sophisticated and warm environment that is bold yet understated, making it a perfect fit for the quiet elegance palette. Dark shades like Sealskin SW 7675 are gorgeous in smaller rooms like studies, or TV rooms to create that cozy environment.'

Minimalist SW 9611

Another light neutral paint by Sherwin-Williams is Minimalist, a warming neutral that provides more depth and interest than white paints.

'Minimalist SW 9611, a part of our Designer Color Collection, is a creamy and earthy neutral that is rich and decadent but grounding for any space. I love this shade in a bathroom or bedroom for a cozy and comforting atmosphere that is upscale and elevated. With hints of natural accents and pops of gold, this color brings to life quiet elegance,' explains Emily.

Carnelian SW 7580

kitchen with dark red cabinets, white walls and pink kitchen island

(Image credit: Sherwin-Williams)

Lastly, if you're looking to add a more colorful, bolder hue to your scheme, Carnelian is an elegant and moody maroon paint that adds sophistication to your space, as seen here on the kitchen cabinets.

'Carnelian SW 7580 is a deep maroon with hints of red, purple, and brown undertones that give a rich and vibrant feel to any space. I love this shade for a kitchen because it is a daring and mysterious hue, but the deep saturated violet really pops on cabinets. Consider incorporating Carnelian in a home office or powder room to create a more dramatic dose of understated elegance,' shares Emily.


Together, and alone, these shades both lean into the current trends but also feel totally classic too. The blend of bold, rich, deep hues with contrasting liveable warm neutrals is a color palette that's never going to date.

Paint & Color Editor

Emily is H&G's Paint & Color Editor, covering all things color across interior design and home decor. She joined the team in the summer of 2023, having studied Fashion Communication at university before working in various creative roles ahead of making the leap into interiors. She lives in Glasgow where she loves admiring the city's architecture, frequenting her favorite coffee spots, and sourcing vintage furniture for her tenement apartment. Emily's interior style is inspired by the simplicity of midcentury design, mixed with more playful modern pieces that inject small (but bold) doses of color.

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