Sherwin Williams First Star ((Palette, Coordinating & Inspirations)

When folks think of using grays or whites in interior spaces, they want something light and relaxing most of the time. Sherwin Williams First Star is an excellent choice if you want something like that.

Although it is not the most popular out there, the paint color makes quite the impression whenever it gets used. I have put together a Sherwin Williams First Star (SW 7646) Paint Color Review.

You will find everything to need to know about the clear white.

What Color is Sherwin Williams First Star (SW 7646)?

Sherwin Williams First Star is a clear white paint color with some gray that prevents it from looking stark. It brings a relaxing and airy feel to any interior space, making them feel and look larger.

The light paint color will readily wash out in bright light and does an excellent job in dimly-lit spaces. Thanks to its gray and subtle undertones, Sherwin Williams First Star creates a great backdrop in interior spaces.

You don’t have to worry about the paint color being in your face or taking over the decor. Also, Sherwin Williams First Star will not easily lean into an icy or cold look, even in cool lighting.

Manufacturer	Sherwin Williams
Paint Color	First Star
LRV	69
RGB	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212
Hex Value	#dad9d4
Color Collections	Living Well (Create), Top 50 Colors, Finest Whites & Neutrals (Finest Whites)
Color Family(s)	White

Note that the paint color also goes well in exterior spaces. However, it is more popular in interior areas.

RGB of Sherwin Williams First Star (SW 7646)

As stated by Encycolorpedia, Sherwin Williams First Star has the following RGB value and percentages.

Red: 218 (85.49%)      Green: 217 (85.1%)     Blue: 212 (83.14%)

As expected from the clear white paint color, it has a saturation of 7% and a lightness of 84%.

LRV of Sherwin Williams First Star (SW 7646)

Sherwin Williams First Star has an LRV of 69, which puts it on the light side of paint colors.

LRV means Light Reflectance Value, and it is a very vital property of every paint color. The reason is that Light Reflectance Values inform experts and homeowners of how strongly a paint color reflects or absorbs light.

This way, they can avoid using the wrong paint colors in dark or bright areas.

Light Reflectance Values run on a numerical scale of 0 – 100, 0 indicates true black, and 100 indicates true white. This is why the colors get darker the lower you go on the LRV scale and lighter the higher you go.

Note that paint colors with lower LRVs absorb more light than they reflect, which makes them unsuitable for dark spaces. On the other hand, paint colors with higher LRVs reflect more light than they absorb.

Sherwin Williams First Star’s LRV indicates that it reflects more than it absorbs. This makes it suitable for both dark and bright spaces in your house.

Is Sherwin Williams First Star a Warm or Cool Color?

Sherwin Williams First Star is a cool white paint color with a hint of gray. It reads cool regardless of the lighting or room orientation. Sometimes, the paint color might lean into an icy look, but that doesn’t last long.

While its gray does a great job of adding more depth and keeping it from looking stark, its undertones are the ones responsible for its cool reading. The paint color already offers an airy and relaxing vibe, which goes great with its cool feel.

What Are The Undertones?

Sherwin Williams First Star has bold gray and subtle blue undertones that frame its uniqueness. Apart from making it read cool, the undertones give the paint color an airy and calming feel that works great in small spaces.

Together with the white, you get a paint color that mostly stays out of the way while contributing to the overall look of your room. It makes a great backdrop but only with other paint colors that pair well with it.

Don’t worry too much about it because Sherwin Williams First Star has decent versatility. It gets better when you are working with relevant decor or aiming for a breezy and calming vibe.

Note that the undertones interact with lighting in whichever space you decide to use it. I will explain that in the latter parts of this review.

Sherwin Williams First Star Color Strip

Color strips have up to seven paint colors that share some degree of similarity. The reason is that they all have variations of the same formula. As a result of this, they have both similarities and differences.

Properties like lightness, saturation, undertones, and overall appearance can look similar. On the other hand, members of the same color strip differ when it comes to LRVs and RGB values.

Note that Sherwin Williams First Star is not the most popular member of its color strip. Also, you can always pair members of the same strip for a monochromatic palette.

Sherwin Williams Snowbound (SW 7004)

Although it leans into the yellow hue, Sherwin Williams Snowbound doesn’t always read warm. In North-facing rooms, the white and gray paint color appears a little cool but never icy. With an LRV of 83, it is a bright paint color that pairs greatly with other gray-influenced colors.

Also, Sherwin Williams Snowbound doesn’t look stark, thanks to its gray. It has an RGB value of R: 237, G: 234, and B: 229, a saturation of 18%, and a lightness of 91%.

Note that SW Snowbound is arguably the most popular member of this color strip.

Sherwin Williams Toque White (SW 7003)

Sherwin Williams Toque White is a white paint color with subtle purple undertones that gives it a sophisticated vibe. The bright paint color reads warm and looks creamy almost all the time, making most homeowners conclude that it has some greige in it.

With an LRV of 76, SW Torque White does well in dimly lit spaces, whether interior or exterior. It has an RGB value of R: 231, G: 226, and B: 218, a saturation of 21%, and a lightness of 88%.

Sherwin Williams Incredible White (SW 7028)

SW Incredible White is a bright white paint color with an LRV of 74. You can detect some beige and gray in the color’s appearance, making it read warm. When it comes to its undertones, Sherwin Williams Incredible White sometimes flashes a little pink or purple.

It has an RGB value of R: 227, G: 222, and B: 215, a saturation of 18%, and a lightness of 87%.

Sherwin Williams Eider White (SW 7014)

Sherwin Williams Eider White is a popular white with excellent versatility for interior and exterior spaces. The bright white paint color has a relaxing vibe and an LRV of 73 but doesn’t wash out readily.

It has excellent gray undertones and reads warm regardless of lighting. SW Eider White has an RGB value of R: 226, G: 222, and B: 216, a saturation of 15%, and a lightness of 87%.

Sherwin Williams Big Chill (SW 7648)

Sherwin Williams Big Chill might not sound like something impressive but believe it or not, it works wonders. The cool white has an LRV of 62, putting it in the sweet spot for reflecting and absorbing light.

You can add an elegant look to your space when you pair SW Big Chill with marble countertops. It has an RGB value of R: 208, G: 206, and B: 201, a saturation of 7%, and a lightness of 80%.

Sherwin Williams First Star Color Palette

Sherwin Williams First Star Coordinating Colors

To fully realize the potential of any paint color, you will need to pair it with other colors that improve its appearance. Experts refer to these paint colors as coordinating and complementary colors.

Although they look good individually, pairing them together gives an even greater effect in spaces. Every paint color has specific complementary and coordinating colors that work with them exceptionally.

The following are some of the best coordinating colors for Sherwin Williams First Star.

Sherwin Williams Ellie Gray

Ellie Gray is a cool mist gray with charcoal cyan undertones that can create a pop of color when paired with bright white. It has an LRV of 40, making it several shades darker than Sherwin Williams First Star.

This makes the paint color an excellent choice for a contrasting palette. Sherwin Williams Ellie Gray works in both interior and exterior spaces. It belongs to the same strip as SW Tinsmith, which pairs well with SW First Star too.

Sherwin Williams Tinsmith

Sherwin Williams Tinsmith is a gentle neutral that works best in bedrooms and other spaces where you want a calming vibe. With an LRV of 57, it is a light gray paint color with cyan undertones that make it read cool always.

Sherwin Williams Extra White

This paint color is one of the most popular from Sherwin Williams because of its versatility. Not only does it pair well with SW First Star, but it also works as an excellent trim color for it. Sherwin Williams Extra White has an LRV of 86, which makes it significantly lighter than SW First Star.

However, it also has some gray to prevent it from looking stark or harsh.

Sherwin Williams Deep Forest Brown

With an LRV of just 4, Sherwin Williams Deep Forest Brown brings a sense of quietude to your space. You can pick it for a contrasting palette for both interior and exterior spaces.

Sherwin Williams Deep Forest Brown works great with SW First Star on walls, cabinets, and even as a trim color.

Sherwin Williams Gris

Sherwin Williams Gris can introduce a sense of mystery to your space with its deep, nuanced gray. The paint color has an LRV of 39 and has green and cyan undertones that keep it cool regardless of the lighting.

It is several shades darker than Sherwin Williams First Star.

Sherwin Williams First Star Complementary Colors

You can complement your Sherwin Williams First Star with cool and warm paint colors. The following make excellent complementary colors.

Sherwin Williams Mudslide

With an LRV of 25 and a strong earthy look, Sherwin Williams Mudslide lives up to its name by adding natural vibes to a space. It belongs to the Yellow Paint Color Family and reads warm regardless of the lighting.

The paint color pairs well with SW First Star in interior and exterior spaces.

Sherwin Williams Mineral Deposit

Sherwin Willams Mineral Deposit brings cool earthy vibes with its green and cyan undertones. The gray paint color has an LRV of 43 and fits into nature-themed decor. You can pair it with SW First Star in both dark and bright spaces.

Sherwin Williams Natural Linen

If you want to introduce something neutral, energetic, and warm, Sherwin Williams Natural Linen can do the trick. The beige paint color has greige (gray and beige) undertones and an LRV of 66. It adds a subtle breezy vibe and can balance the SW First Star’s cool appearance.

Sherwin Williams Front Porch

Sherwin Williams Front Porch has an LRV of 60, which puts it in the medium to light range. The cool mist gray neutral works well with SW First Star in interior and exterior spaces. You can also use it in dimly lit areas since it reflects light at a decent strength.

What Trim Colors Go With Sherwin Williams First Star?

Trim colors help to make your space look even better with a superb finish. While you can use your main color as a trim, you can add more finesse by using a different one. Generally, you can either use a white or dark trim for your main paint color.

White trims are more popular and versatile and can either give you a crispy or creamy finish. On the other hand, dark trims aren’t as popular but give your space a more sophisticated overall look.

White Trims for Sherwin Williams First Star

The following are excellent white trim colors for SW First Star because they don’t have clashing undertones. Also, they generally pair well with the paint color.

• SW Extra White
• SW Pure White.

Dark Trim for Sherwin Williams First Star

While there aren’t many options for picking a dark trim color for SW First Star, there is a notable one.

• Sherwin Williams Deep Forest Brown.

Sherwin Williams First Star Color Comparisons

Repose Gray vs First Star

Sherwin Williams Repose Gray has a slightly lesser LRV but reflects light at around the same strength. The light greige (gray and beige) paint color has blue and a subtle purple undertone that does little to make it cooler.

While Sherwin Williams First Star has lesser gray than Repose Gray, both paint colors have around the same versatility.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Repose Gray	58	R: 204 G: 201 B: 192	#ccc9c0

Agreeable Gray vs First Star

Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is the most popular paint color from the manufacturer. It has warm beige undertones and amazing versatility that makes it go with almost anything you have in mind.

Agreeable Gray has an LRV of 60, which is lower than that of SW First Star. As expected, the paint color appears a little darker but more homely.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Agreeable Gray	60	R: 209 G: 203 B: 193	#d1cbc1

Crushed Ice vs First Star

Sherwin Williams Crushed Ice is a warm gray paint color with a cool gray undertone. It has an LRV of 66, which is a little lower than that of SW First Star. Crushed Ice also fits into several palettes and doesn’t overshadow other colors.

You can see it as SW Repose Gray with less pigmentation and a little more tolerance.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Crushed Ice	66	R: 214 G: 211 B: 204	#d6d3cc

Big Chill vs First Star

Sherwin Williams Big Chill is the last member on SW First Star’s color strip. It has an LRV of 62 and reads cool because of its subtle light blue undertones. However, the paint color will not look icy or cold, even in cool light.

As its name implies, SW Big Chill adds a laid-back and relaxing vibe.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Big Chill	62	R: 208 G: 206 B: 201	#d0cec9

Rock Candy vs First Star

Despite its high LRV of 75, Sherwin Williams Rock Candy adds a gentle touch to spaces. This is one of the reasons why experts recommend it for bathrooms and nurseries. The paint color has subtle blue undertones that make it read cool, regardless of lighting.

Compared to Sherwin Williams First Star, Rock Candy is several shades brighter and reflects more light. However, this can also lead to a tendency to wash out in bright lights.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Rock Candy	75	R: 208 G: 206 B: 201	#d0cec9

Horizon vs First Star

Benjamin Moore Horizon is a little lighter than Sherwin Williams First Star. Both paint colors have blue undertones, read cool, and do well in dark and bright spaces. BM Horizon has an LRV of 72.82 and can add a fresh look to any space.

Paint Color	LRV	RGB	Hex Value
Sherwin Williams First Star	69	R: 218 G: 217 B: 212	#dad9d4
Benjamin Moore Horizon	72.82	R: 224 G: 226 B: 220	#e0e2dc

First Star Benjamin Moore Version

Although paint brands don’t usually have products with the same name, they sometimes release paint colors with similar appearances. In the case of Sherwin Williams First Star, you will not get a Benjamin Moore paint color with the same name.

However, if you seek a paint color from Benjamin Moore that is similar to Sherwin Williams First Star, check out BM Shoreline.

Benjamin Moore Shoreline

With an LRV of 67.66, Benjamin Moore Shoreline is slightly darker than Sherwin Williams First Star. The paint color has a soft hue and lavender-gray undertones that lighten its appearance. As such, BM Shoreline does well in both bright and dark spaces in a house.

Another Benjamin Moore product that looks similar to SW First Star is BM Horizon. However, BM Shoreline has a closer look and properties.

How Does Light Affect It?

Light always plays a vital role in using paint colors for desired effects. Its interaction with Sherwin Williams First Star occurs in up to three ways. You should know about these interactions to avoid surprises after use.

Firstly, Sherwin Williams First Star makes spaces appear larger because of its clean and clear look. Feel free to use it in small areas to get the most use out of this property.

Light also interacts with SW First Star in terms of his LRV. With a Light Reflectance Value of 69, the paint color reflects light at decent strength and doesn’t absorb much. This means you can use it in dimly lit spaces. Since it doesn’t wash out in bright light, you can use it in areas with abundant light.

Finally, light affects the paint color’s appearance through its undertones. For Sherwin Williams First Star, warm lighting brings out its gray, making it look more neutral. On the other hand, cool lighting strengthens its blue undertones, which makes it look cooler but never icy or cold.

Best Rooms to Paint First Star

Sherwin Williams First Star Kitchen

Sherwin Williams First Star Cabinet

Sherwin Williams First Star Bathroom

 

Sherwin Williams First Star Bedroom

Sherwin Williams First Star Living Room

Final Thoughts

Most of the time, homeowners want a white paint color that doesn’t look stark and has more depth. Sherwin Williams First Star has these properties in addition to its calming vibe. The paint color has an LRV of 69, making it suitable for any area regardless of the lighting.

Whether you want something that won’t get in your face or simply want a white with decent versatility, you will love Sherwin Williams First Star.