Picking paint colors seems simple… until it consumes your brain for weeks. When you’re building with Schumacher Homes, who partner exclusively with Sherwin-Williams, the catalog of choices feels endless.
Back when we were first planning, I would let my son nap in his car seat and drive around Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms just to study houses. I’d stalk elevated homes with louvers and obsess: Should the louvers match the siding? Should the blocks be darker? What about the roof color? Light or dark? I thought about this constantly.
We’ve always been pretty basic-neutral people — our current house is painted Temperate Gray (not even Sherwin-Williams, just a safe pick). But moving to the country, I wanted something warmer. A palette that still feels classic but ties into the Lowcountry light and our coastal cottage vibe.
Here’s where we landed — the real-life Sherwin-Williams colors we chose for our Schumacher build in Charleston County, and how they’re turning out.
We painted all of our interior walls Shoji White (SW 7042), paired with crisp white trim and white cabinetry (except for the kids’ bathroom cabinet which is navy blue). My husband feels like Shoji White reads more beige than expected, especially against the bright whites. Honestly? I love it.
IMO (the one that matters lol) Shoji White works beautifully with our warmer-toned brick fireplace and lighter wood floors. Once our furniture is in, I think it’ll tie everything together into a cozy coastal cottage feel instead of a stark “new build white.” Exactly what we (I) wanted.
👉 If you’re debating, Shoji White is warmer than a true white but not as dark as a greige — a great in-between.
For the exterior siding, we went with Greek Villa (SW 7551) — and I am obsessed. It’s the perfect creamy bright white. Warm enough to avoid looking stark or sterile in Charleston’s intense sun, but still fresh and coastal. Against our trim, roof, and brick, it feels timeless.
For the stucco columns and louvers, we chose Repose Gray (SW 7015). My goal was to keep the base subtle and let the porches and main house shine. Repose Gray grounds the design without stealing attention.
We topped it off with a Cobblestone Gray roof, which ties the whites and grays together beautifully. The combo feels coastal, classic, and balanced — not too stark, not too beige.
👉 This palette — Greek Villa siding + Repose Gray accents + Cobblestone Gray roof — is a Lowcountry win.
Choosing paint colors was one of the most obsessive parts of our Schumacher build — but worth it. Between Shoji White interiors, Greek Villa siding, Repose Gray louvers/columns, and the Cobblestone Gray roof, we’ve landed on a palette that feels warm, coastal, and timeless.
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