Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace (SW 7013) is a warm, creamy off-white paint color. With an LRV of 78.79, it brings a soft, inviting brightness to a room without feeling stark. Its architectural finish features a warm beige base with subtle, hidden pink or greige undertones.

LRV 78.79
A photorealistic open-concept living space with dark walnut floors and charcoal marble fireplace, painted in Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace (Hex #ECE5D8).
TemperatureWarm
Primary UndertoneWarm cream
Hidden UndertonesSubtle cool pink and greige
Best ExposuresNorth-facing or heavily wooded rooms
Best ForKitchen cabinets, living room walls, exterior siding, traditional trim

Hackrea Review

Ivory Lace is a highly versatile, mid-range white that beautifully bridges the gap between stark modern whites and heavy traditional creams. It excels in spaces with abundant natural light or wooded surroundings, though its subtle pink shift requires careful testing against yellow-heavy finishes.
  • The Coverage Catch: Because it is a very light, low-chroma color, dark or uneven substrates may show patchiness. A high-quality primer or a third coat might be necessary for full, opaque coverage.
  • The Lighting Shift: In north-facing or heavily wooded rooms, the color structure can occasionally flash a subtle cool pink or greige. In bright southern light, it reads as a clean, warm cream.
  • The Clash Warning: May clash with heavily yellow or orange-toned wood cabinets (like golden oak), as the subtle pink/greige cast can look slightly dingy or mismatched next to strong yellow hues.
  • The Bounce Effect: Highly reflective in bright spaces; it can wash out and lose its creamy warmth in rooms flooded with intense direct sunlight.
  • The Low Light Trap: In windowless rooms or spaces with poor artificial lighting, it can lose its brightness and lean slightly flat or muddy.
  • The Touch Up: Generally touches up well in flat or matte finishes, but higher sheens on cabinetry may flash if not blended properly.

Our color consultants analyzed Houzz Forums, Reddit (r/HomeDecorating, r/sherwinwilliams), MyPerfectColor Technical Data to detect the problems Real Homeowners have with this specific paint.

Architectural Applications for Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace SW 7013

Kitchen Cabinetry & Millwork

Ivory Lace acts as a sophisticated, warm off-white foundation for transitional kitchen cabinetry, provided it is kept away from intense, direct sunlight which triggers a bounce effect that washes out its subtle chromatic profile. Because of its specific undertone structure, it pairs flawlessly with deeply saturated cool tones while strictly avoiding golden oak or orange-toned floors that force the paint to read as dingy.

  • Lighting/Exposure: East-facing or balanced ambient lighting; avoid spaces flooded with intense southern glare to prevent the finish from losing its creamy base.
  • Substrate Preparation: Due to its low-chroma nature, apply a high-quality bonding primer and anticipate a three-coat application over dark existing cabinet finishes to prevent patchiness.
  • Coordinating Countertops: Honed soapstone or cool, charcoal-veined marble anchors the lightness of the millwork.
  • Hardware Finishes: Unlacquered brass or polished nickel.
  • The Consultant’s Finish: Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel ($$$$ (Ultra-Premium Tier)). A water-based urethane-modified alkyd that cures to a hard, durable, cabinet-grade finish, offering the smooth, flawless look of an oil-based paint without the risk of yellowing over time.

Living Room Walls

While often considered for shaded lots, applying this paint in rooms with strict northern exposure or wooded lot lighting will amplify its hidden pink undertone and greige shift. To maintain its intended warm off-white identity, redirect this color to living spaces receiving abundant southern or western light, grounding the airy walls with rich, dark walnut flooring to absorb excess luminosity.

  • Lighting/Exposure: South-facing or West-facing light is mandatory; strictly avoid north-facing or windowless rooms where the color drops its brightness and leans muddy.
  • Trim Recommendation: Sherwin-Williams High Reflective White SW 7757 provides a crisp, un-tinted border that defines the wall color without competing with its undertones.
  • Textural Contrast: Pair with matte linen upholstery and tumbled limestone fireplace surrounds to stabilize the room’s visual temperature.
  • The Consultant’s Finish: Emerald Interior Matte ($$$$ (Ultra-Premium Tier)). Delivers a luxurious, ultra-smooth finish with exceptional hide and rich color retention, providing an elegant, non-reflective aesthetic perfect for formal living spaces and master bedrooms.

Exterior Siding & Trim

Using this shade on exteriors requires careful orientation planning, as direct, unmitigated midday sun flattens its nuanced LRV 78.79 into a stark, blinding white. It performs best on shaded elevations or underneath deep porches where the ambient light allows its creamy base to register against dark, contrasting architectural elements.

  • Lighting/Exposure: Dappled sunlight or shaded elevations; avoid broad, unshaded southern facades.
  • Trim & Accent Colors: Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore SW 7069 on shutters and fascia boards creates a sharp, modern structural outline.
  • Masonry Pairing: Natural bluestone or cool-toned brick pathways neutralize the exterior palette.
  • The Consultant’s Finish: Emerald Exterior ($$$$ (Ultra-Premium Tier)). Features advanced cross-linking technology for extreme resistance to blistering, peeling, and color fade, providing a heavy-duty shield against harsh weather conditions.

Traditional & Transitional Interiors

In traditional interiors, this color bridges the gap between stark modern whites and dated yellows, offering a sophisticated backdrop for intricate wainscoting and crown molding. The subtle warmth requires careful pairing with cool or neutral textiles, as introducing yellow-toned woods or fabrics will force the paint’s undertones into an immediate clash.

  • Lighting/Exposure: Balanced Eastern or Southern light; avoid windowless hallways where the low-light trap effect turns the finish flat.
  • Flooring Constraints: Strictly avoid golden oak or honey-toned floors; opt for white oak with a clear, matte water-based poly or dark espresso stains.
  • Coordinating Accents: Deep navy blues like Sherwin-Williams Naval SW 6244 on built-ins or interior doors.
  • The Consultant’s Finish: Duration Home Interior ($$$ (Premium/Professional Tier)). Engineered with patented stain-blocking technology that allows most stains to wipe clean with water, making it an exceptionally durable, scuff-resistant choice for busy hallways and family rooms.
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Chromatic Profile Comparisons

Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace SW 7013 vs. Sherwin-Williams Alabaster SW 7008

Alabaster (LRV 82) is lighter and has a distinct beige-yellow undertone, making it a predictable, straightforward off-white. Ivory Lace (LRV 78.79) carries a lower LRV and a more complex chromatic profile that includes a subtle pink undertone. Specify Alabaster for spaces with unpredictable light where you need a stable neutral, and reserve Ivory Lace for bright, south-facing rooms where its creamy base can fully develop without flashing greige.

Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace SW 7013 vs. Sherwin-Williams Creamy SW 7012

Creamy (LRV 81) leans aggressively into a yellow-beige base, generating a much warmer, traditional glow. Ivory Lace sits slightly darker and cooler, utilizing its greige shift to maintain a more muted presence. Choose Creamy when working alongside warm earth-toned masonry, but switch to Ivory Lace when integrating cool-toned marbles or slate, as the prominent yellow in Creamy will clash with gray stone.

Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace SW 7013 vs. Benjamin Moore White Dove OC-17

White Dove (LRV 85.38) is significantly brighter and utilizes a gray-yellow base to achieve its muted, luminous quality without reading pink. Ivory Lace is darker, denser, and strictly requires strong natural light to avoid its low-light trap behavior. Deploy White Dove in dim, north-facing spaces to maximize light reflection, and use Ivory Lace in sun-drenched rooms where White Dove would wash out completely.

Technical FAQs

Does Sherwin-Williams Ivory Lace look pink in north-facing rooms?

Yes, the cool, indirect light of a northern exposure frequently amplifies its hidden pink undertone and greige shift. To prevent this, limit its use to south-facing or well-lit western rooms where the sunlight brings out its clean, warm cream base.

Will Ivory Lace clash with golden oak cabinets or honey-toned wood floors?

Yes, placing this paint next to strong yellow or orange wood tones creates an immediate clash. The contrast forces the paint to look dingy and mismatched, so it must be paired with neutral white oak, dark walnut, or cool-toned stones instead.

How does Ivory Lace behave on exteriors surrounded by heavy green foliage?

Wooded lot lighting and heavy green foliage cast a green reflection onto the siding, which interacts with the paint’s pink undertone to create a muddy, muted greige shift. It requires strategic placement on shaded elevations without immediate, dense tree canopies reflecting directly onto the surface.

Is Ivory Lace too yellow for a modern, bright white kitchen?

It is not inherently too yellow, but its LRV 78.79 and creamy base lack the stark, sterile crispness required for an ultra-modern aesthetic. While intense direct sunlight may cause a bounce effect that washes it out, it remains fundamentally a traditional or transitional off-white rather than a modern gallery white.

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