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Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee OC-45 is a soft off-white paint color with a beautiful balance of brightness and warmth. It’s been a favorite among designers for trim and cabinets for years, but Swiss Coffee can be a bit finicky about what it pairs well with. Swiss Coffee is a wonderful choice when you want a white that’s light and colorful, but not overly creamy or yellow. Let’s take a look at Swiss Coffee’s spectral data to see if it’s a good match for your next project.

Photo by Whitten Architects – Browse entryway ideas

Walls and ceiling are painted in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

What is the LRV of Swiss Coffee?

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a measure of how much light a paint reflects back into a room, with 100% being highly reflective and zero being not reflective at all. BM Swiss Coffee has an LRV of roughly 84% (although the Benjamin Moore website has updated that number to almost 82%). This means it will reflect quite a bit of light but won’t be as glaring or bright as a white with a higher LRV, such as Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White or Benjamin Moore Simply White.

You must sample this color in the space you intend to use it before you start putting it on your walls and trim! (We mail 8″ x 10″ paint swatches of our recommendations to our Virtual Color Consultation clients.)

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What is the “undertone” of Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee? Will it look yellow?

It might. It depends on the context of the lighting and what’s around it.

If we take an objective look at Swiss Coffee’s LCh* spectral data, we can see that it has a hue angle of 101.31°, putting it in the Yellow hue family.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee hue family spectral data

Swiss Coffee has a very high lightness value (93.3) which means it’s nice and bright. At 5.39, Swiss Coffee also has a fair amount of chroma, or color saturation. This means that it has just enough color pigment to give it some nice warmth.

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In certain qualities of light, Swiss Coffee’s warmth will really stand out and may look more yellowish. Like all white paint colors, Swiss Coffee is highly reflective and vulnerable to the lighting around it.

Swiss Coffee will look more balanced in rooms with North-facing light or rooms that have dim lighting.
The warmth of Swiss Coffee will be more noticeable and more intense in rooms that receive a lot of Southern light or afternoon Western light. Both are warmer and a bit yellow.
Soft white bulbs (the most popular, easily available light bulb color) tend to be quite yellow as well and may amplify the yellow in Swiss Coffee. Using the right color light bulbs (3000 K to 3500 K) will give BM Swiss Coffee a much more balanced appearance.
Kitchens that have cool-toned marble or quartz countertops, bright white subway tile, or white appliances may be too stark to pair well with Swiss Coffee.

What trim color goes with Swiss Coffee? Can I use it for cabinets and walls?

If you have Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee on the walls, I recommend using Swiss on the trim and cabinets. Simply change the sheen or finish to give it some dimension (e.g., eggshell for the walls and satin for the cabinets and trim). When you start trying to mix and match white paints, their differences in hue and chroma become much more obvious. One will likely end up highlighting the hue family of the other, causing it to look grayer/yellower/dingier by comparison.

Photo by Tim Barber Architects – Search laundry room design ideas

These cabinet are paint in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in a semi-gloss finish. The walls are Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in a flat finish.

What other paint colors are equivalent or similar to Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee?

As a reminder, I don’t recommend color matching between brands. This is especially true when it comes to white paint. You cannot color match between brands and expect to get identical results. You will see shifts in color and depth. But if you’re looking for something with a similar vibe to Swiss Coffee in another brand, there are options:

Photo by Tim Barber Architects – More entryway ideas

The walls are Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee in flat finish, and the paneling is Swiss Coffee in semi-gloss finish.

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee vs White Dove

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee and Benjamin Moore White Dove are incredibly similar. Both are soft, warm whites. Based on their spectral data, both reflect about the same amount of light and are in the Yellow hue family. However, Swiss Coffee (chroma = 5.39) is a wee bit more colorful than White Dove (chroma = 4.98). This makes White Dove slightly more versatile and predictable in terms of how it will render on the walls.

Is Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee a good exterior paint color?

It can be for some houses, but it’s not our favorite or one we specify often for exteriors in our color consultations. When it comes to off-white and warm white paints, there are simply others that are a little more flexible. Again, this is why sampling swatches of the actual paint color in its intended space (on an exterior wall) and viewing it at different times of the day is so important.

Photo by Nautilus Homes – More exterior home ideas

Home exterior painted in Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee.

What other paint colors go with the Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee color palette?

We think this beautiful warm white looks fantastic with tans, beiges, and shades of green! Take a look at some of our favorite Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee complimentary colors:

Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee complimentary colors, Benjamin Moore Swiss Coffee color palette

Need Help Choosing a Color?

Need help finding the right paint color? Order a Virtual Color Consultation Report from the color professionals at Three Bears Home Staging to get a custom, curated palette and guidance for your next painting project.

One Room Paint Color Report | Virtual

Need help choosing the best paint colors for your room? Then this is the (virtual) service for you! Based on your questionnaire responses and uploaded photos, we’ll create a personalized digital Paint Color Report just for you. We’ll also send you paint swatches! Click below to learn how it works or to get started!

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Exterior Paint Color Report | Virtual

Ready to give your home exterior a fresh new look, but feeling overwhelmed with the decision? Get a little virtual help from the color experts at Three Bears Home Staging! Based on your questionnaire responses and uploaded photos, we’ll create a personalized digital Paint Color Report just for your home’s exterior. We’ll also send you paint swatches! Read below to learn how it works…

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About Vannessa Rhoades

Vannessa Rhoades is the author of Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging and the founder of the award-winning firm, Three Bears Home Staging®. She specializes in providing positive and empowering consultations to help homeowners sell more quickly and for more money. Vannessa has staged and consulted on hundreds of properties, both in person throughout the Houston metro area and virtually across the country.

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7 Inspired Tips for How to Decorate Rooms with Tall Walls & High Ceilings

7 Inspired Tips for How to Decorate Rooms with Tall Walls and High Ceilings

If you love living rooms with tall ceilings, you probably know that having all that luxurious vertical space comes with some interesting decorating challenges. Having a high ceiling living room means you’ll have lots of space more than 8 feet up. This can make a room feel grand and spacious, but it can also feel a little cave-like and sterile. To design a warmer, more balanced vibe, you’ll need to look for ways to creatively merge the upper and lower areas by pulling focus upward. Let’s take a look at a few clever tall ceiling living room decorating ideas that will help you take advantage of all that beautiful soaring space.

1. Hang window treatments at ceiling height

Hanging curtains lower than ceiling height tends to section off the wall and make the upper area feel more remote and separate. This tip can get expensive because extra-long curtains usually cost more. Opt for solid color draperies, as patterned fabrics can be overwhelming on a larger scale.

Photo by Margaux Interiors – Search living room pictures

2. Install a statement light

A big gorgeous light fixture hanging as a focal point is a great way to blend the upper and lower areas of a room. The exact spot you hang it will be determined by other elements in the particular room, but centered in the main part of the room or above the coffee table is generally a safe spot. Select a piece that takes up a lot of visual space but doesn’t necessarily weigh a lot, like a modern-style chandelier.

Photo by L Marie Interior Design – More living room ideas

3. Design a feature wall

Creating a ceiling-to-floor design on one wall is another great way to merge the higher and lower parts of a space. Something as simple and inexpensive as painting an accent wall or hanging wallpaper on one wall can be quite effective. If you have a tall fireplace wall with high ceilings or a vaulted fireplace wall, you can extend the brick or stone toward the ceiling to draw the eye upwards.

Photo by Color Craftsmen: Fireplace Makeovers – More living room ideas

4. Utilize architectural features

Exposed beams, crown molding, beadboard, and other architectural details are common in a living room with tall ceilings. If your home doesn’t have these features, consider making the investment to give the room some character and a little added visual interest. Again, these details help draw the eye upward and connect the upper and lower areas of the room.

Photo by Carolina Timberworks – Look for living room design inspiration

5. Install shelving

Wall shelves or bookshelves are another creative way to take advantage of extra vertical space. Floating shelves strategically spaced around the wall work well in some spaces, while tall bookshelves may work well in others. If you love to read, a full accent wall made up only of shelves may be just the ticket. Be creative.

Photo by Abramson Architects – Look for living room design inspiration

6. Hang large art creatively

Whether it’s a gallery-style wall that takes up the entire floor-to-ceiling space or an extra large piece that you can hang a little higher, large art and artwork groupings help tie together parts of the room and pull the gaze upwards. Experiment with scale and proportion to add a bit of drama. Make sure your art complements the rest of the decor in your space.

Photo by Atelier Armbruster – More living room ideas

7. Consider painting or adding texture to the ceiling

Trying to make your space feel less cavernous and bring the ceiling down a little bit? You may want to consider darkening the ceiling. Painting the ceiling a darker color or adding wood or other texture can help can make it visually appear a bit lower. This can help contain a really massive space.

Photo by 2fORM Architecture – Browse living room photos

Need more decorating ideas for living rooms with tall ceilings?

Are you selling a home and struggling with how to decorate tall walls and high ceilings? We can teach you how to style the rooms to enhance this feature while still making the rooms feel cozy for potential buyers. Three Bears Home Staging specializes in positive, empowering home staging consultations. We help home sellers make the most of what they’ve already got in order to get a faster, more profitable home sale. Book your online consultation today!

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In this brand new third edition of her popular book, Just Right! Easy DIY Home Staging, professional home stager Vannessa Rhoades walks you through the step-by-step process of staging your home for a faster, more profitable sale. Available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle editions!

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Paint Color Review: Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige 6106

Are you searching for a warm beige to complement your counters, tile, floors, and furnishings? Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige 6106 just might have everything you’re looking for! This beautiful versatile beige complements a wide range of styles and colors and is anything but basic.

Photo by Echelon Custom Homes – More kitchen ideas

What is the “Undertone” of Kilim Beige?

Since everyone perceives color a bit differently, let’s take a look at something a little more objective – the numbers. If you look at Kilim Beige’s spectral data, it has a hue angle of 83.415°. This means Kilim Beige is officially part of the Yellow hue family. At 13.005, it also has a bit more chroma (vividness, colorfulness) than a typical “neutral.” This means Kilim Beige has a little more body and depth than the average beige.

Take a closer look at Kilim Beige’s location on the color wheel. You’ll notice it’s very close to the border of the Yellow-Red (a.k.a., Orange) hue family. This means that depending on your lighting or exposure, Kilim Beige may look a bit peachy. However, this bit of peachiness tends to be fairly subdued (many people don’t notice it at all).

Want to learn how to simply and accurately identify a paint color’s hue family? Curious about how to use chroma? In my online course, Color By The Numbers™, I show you how easy it is to locate spectral data and how to use it to evaluate colors.

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What is the LRV of SW Kilim Beige?

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a measure of how much light a paint reflects back into a room. The scale runs from 100 (highly reflective) to zero (not reflective at all). Kilim Beige has an LRV of 57. This makes it just right for many residential interiors, having a little more body and depth than some of the more common, lighter beige paint colors.

In a south-facing room or with western afternoon light, Kilim Beige will look quite warm. In a north-facing room, the warmth is more muted. Remember, your quality of light changes throughout the day. Be sure to view a sample of this color on all walls and in a variety of artificial and natural light.

Photo by Insulsteel LLC – Search bedroom pictures

The Sherwin-Williams paint colors featured in this bedroom are SW6107 Nomadic Desert (ceiling), SW6106 Kilim Beige (walls), and SW6212 Quietude (headboard).

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Which White Trim Color Goes with Kilim Beige?

When it comes to white trim, I like the low-chroma crispness of Sherwin-Williams Extra White 7006. It also pairs well with slightly creamy off-whites, like Sherwin-Williams Alabaster 7008.

Photo by Insulsteel LLC – Look for kitchen pictures

What Other Paint Colors Coordinate With Kilim Beige?

Sherwin-Williams Kilim Beige has a higher chroma (i.e., it’s more colorful) than many other popular beiges or warm neutrals. It tends to partner best with the following combinations:

light beiges and cream colors from the same hue family
some grays, taupes, and greiges that have a similar or lower LRV (Kilim Beige doesn’t work well with colors that are lighter than it is.)
darker blues and some blue-green paint colors (Pairing Kilim Beige with its opposite on the color wheel creates a beautiful complement.)

sherwin williams kilim beige 6106 coordinating colors complimentary colors

Is Kilim Beige a Good Exterior Paint Color?

Kilim Beige can work beautifully as a neutral trim or siding color. It looks especially nice with brick or stone that has that same peachy tone. Its LRV of 57 means it will reflect a lot of light. In fact, it can look much lighter in an outdoor environment than you may expect. Again, view paper samples on the exterior wall prior to painting.

Photo by D’Asign Source – Search exterior home design ideas

The stucco is Sherwin Williams SW6106 Kilim Beige Satin Finish. The siding is Sherwin Williams #SW6108 Latte in Satin Finish. The trim is Sherwin Williams SW6126 Navajo White Satin Finish.

What Other Paint Colors are Similar to Kilim Beige?

Again, I never recommend color matching between brands. You cannot color match between brands and expect to get identical results. But if you’re looking for something similar to Kilim Beige in another brand, there are options:

If Kilim-Beige isn’t quite hitting the mark, there are a few other Sherwin-Williams colors that take a similar approach. Softer Tan SW6141 has a very similar hue angle as Kilim Beige with just a tiny bit less warmth. Accessible Beige SW7036 is one of my favorite neutrals for home staging. It has a lower chroma and therefore looks grayer by comparison. (This also means you’re less likely to see its hue family or “undertones” on the wall). Natural Linen, another popular color, is a similar hue to Kilim Beige but a higher LRV (66 vs. 57), giving it a more updated vibe.

Need Help Choosing a Color?

Need help finding the right paint color? Order a Virtual Color Consultation Report from the color professionals at Three Bears Home Staging. We’ll provide a custom, curated palette and guidance for your next painting project.

One Room Paint Color Report | Virtual

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Exterior Paint Color Report | Virtual

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About Vannessa Rhoades

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5 Smart Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

Selling a home quickly and profitably comes with a lot of hard prep work. Besides making sure it looks beautiful and appeals to potential buyers, you’ll want to ensure that it’s “healthy” enough to pass a home inspection with flying colors.

Once you’ve secured an interested buyer, they will hire a home inspector to evaluate your property. As a home seller, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure the home inspection process is smooth and efficient. Take a look at our top home inspection tips for sellers — then download our free home inspection checklist (a fillable PDF)!

tree trimming Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

1. Consider your curb appeal.

If you followed the advice of your home stager or real estate agent prior to listing your home, we’re sure you probably already did this to some degree. (Our consultations cover many of the issues that may arise during an inspection.) Having the exterior of your home accessible to an inspector will make the process more efficient and minimize the need for a possible return visit (which is costly and viewed negatively by most parties). Prior to your home inspection, make sure to do the following:

Trim back shrubs and tree limbs that have grown too close to the house. Leave at least a foot of clearance.
Leave a minimum of 4 to 6 inches of clearance between the siding and any landscaping materials, like mulch or stone.
Clean the gutters thoroughly. Ensure the downspouts and other drains are free of obstruction and flowing correctly. Make sure the run-off isn’t pooling next to the house.
Examine all the trim and siding around your home, and repair any wood rot (do not just paint over it). Poke suspicious spots with a knife or screwdriver to find soft, rotting wood. A few of the most common areas I see in my staging consultations include garage door corners, window sills, door jambs, deck posts, and porch posts.
Recaulk gaps, seams, and trim where necessary and fix any exposed nail heads.
Make sure all exterior doors, locks, and deadbolts are operable. Add weatherstripping if necessary.
Remove any stored items that are kept against the side of the house. Remove any lawn decor or furniture that may inhibit their ability to place a ladder firmly on the ground to access the roof.
Leave exterior buildings on the property, like storage sheds, a detached garage, or a guest house, unlocked and accessible. Provide any keys, garage door openers, or door codes they may need. You’ll also want to leave any keys or unlocking instructions for sprinkler systems or other systems that have electrical panel boxes or utility boxes.

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replacing light bulb Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

2. Have the interior ready.

Inside your home, you’ll want to double-check some of the common trouble spots for many home inspections. These include:

Ensuring all interior doors and locks are operable.
Checking for leaks under sinks. If you’ve ever left a towel or mat under the sink “just in case” something happens, remove it. Otherwise, it can look like you’ve either had a previous problem or are trying to hide a current issue.
Make sure the hot water heater operates properly.
Vacuum dust from all air intake vents and replace filters. Use a sharpie to write the current date on your air filter so that the inspector will know they’ve been recently replaced.
Consider having the HVAC system serviced if you haven’t done so within the past 12 months. Leave a receipt for the home inspector and buyer.
Inspecting all caulking, trim, and seals.
Make sure smoke detectors work.
Test all fixtures, lights, and fans. Replace all non-working light bulbs.
Repair any drywall cracks or nail pops.
Make sure appliances are clean and empty so the inspector can turn them on and properly test them (you don’t want a dirty oven to smoke up the house and set off the fire alarms).
Clean up! A tidy home helps promote the idea you have been a conscientious, responsible homeowner. A dirty home implies the opposite.

Properly preparing the inside of your home ready shrinks the list of annoying imperfections the inspector has to record. A burnt-out light bulb or a small in the plaster may not seem like a big deal to you, but lots of little repairs can add up and overwhelm a potential buyer.

moving boxes Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

3. Ensure the inspector has access.

Make sure an inspector will be able to easily reach all places and systems, including the attic, HVAC, plumbing, and electrical panels. Leave everything unlocked and remove any furnishings, shelving, or storage boxes that may be in the inspector’s way. Place all remotes near the items they operate, like ceiling fans, light fixtures, and fireplaces. Remember, if they can’t access an area, they’ll have to come back for another visit (which usually leaves everyone involved feeling frustrated).

provide receipts Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

4. Provide receipts.

In the absence of documentation, home inspectors tend to provide estimates to potential buyers (e.g., “Water heater appears to be nearing its life expectancy” or “Roof looks to be more than 20 years old”). While these are educated guesses, they’re sometimes wrong. If you’ve recently had part of your home replaced or serviced, leave copies of the receipts in an obvious place, like the kitchen counter or dining room table. Your documentation may include items such as:

HVAC servicing
Water heater or window replacement receipts
Pool maintenance
Pest control inspection
Roof replacement and/or warranty
Receipts for any other properly handled repairs

homeowner leaving the house with dog Tips for Sellers: How to Prepare for a Home Inspection

5. Leave the house.

Should the seller be present at the home inspection? It depends somewhat on the seller’s attitude. A friendly homeowner who is able and willing to answer questions and provide documentation about repairs can be quite helpful. However, a seller who is grouchy or defensive, who doesn’t know much about the house, or who performed shoddy repairs (or didn’t complete repairs) probably shouldn’t be there.

That said, most home inspectors and real estate agents advise home sellers to leave while the home is being inspected. In fact, many inspectors hate it when the homeowner is present (though they probably won’t tell you this directly). A homeowner’s presence makes it harder for them to fully evaluate and criticize the home because the seller may protest or engage them in conversation. Even a quiet homeowner will have to spend time moving from room to room, further slowing down the process.

Ultimately, anything that slows down the home inspection or makes it more tedious risks irritating the home inspector. As a result, they may take a more critical view of your home and its issues. Remember, they’re human, and if you aggravate them, things may not play out in your favor.

Pro tip: Take any pets with you if possible. If not, ensure that they are secured.

Preparing for a Home Inspection? Get Our Checklist!

Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers free fillable PDF

Visit our Library of Freebies to access our Home Inspection Checklist for Sellers. It’s a fillable PDF so you can fill it out on your tablet, phone, or computer (or print, if you like)!

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Preparing to Sell a Home? We Can Help!

Do you need a little guidance and tips for preparing your home for a faster, more profitable sale? Three Bears Home Staging can help you make it “just right!” Take a look below at all the ways we’re helping homeowners.