Quick Answer
In Houston light, Alabaster (Benjamin Moore OC-129) is the safe whole-house white: warm, hides the yellow cast of afternoon sun. White Dove (OC-17) is softer and creamier, better on trim next to a warm wall than as every wall in a bright south room. Chantilly Lace (OC-65) is the clean bright white — use it on ceilings, crisp trim, and cabinets, not as the only wall color in a room that gets hard west sun. Call (346) 594-5960 for a color consult.
These three get specified on almost every Houston interior we paint. They are not interchangeable once the light hits them at 4 p.m.
Side by side
| Color | Undertone | Use it on | Skip it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabaster OC-129 | Warm, a little cream | Walls in Katy, Cypress, Sugar Land new-builds; cabinets if you want soft white | You want a gallery white |
| White Dove OC-17 | Warmer, gray-cream | Trim, doors, cabinets next to greige or sage walls | The room is small and already yellow from oak floors |
| Chantilly Lace OC-65 | Clean, slight cool | Ceilings, high-gloss trim, a bright cabinet | West-facing walls with no shade — it can look stark, not warm |
Sherwin-Williams equivalents people ask for: Alabaster is in the family of Shoji White and Athens White, not a perfect match. We match from a chip on the wall, not from a phone photo.
Houston light, specifically
South and west rooms in unshaded Fulshear and Katy houses run warm after 2 p.m. A cool white goes gray-blue in the morning and harsh in the afternoon. Alabaster holds. North rooms and wooded lots in The Woodlands can take Chantilly Lace on trim without looking cold.
Sheen matters as much as the chip. Walls in eggshell or matte. Trim in satin or semi-gloss so the white reads as trim, not as a second wall color. Ceilings flat, usually a step brighter than the wall — Chantilly Lace flat over Alabaster walls is the combination we use most. (More on sheen in our paint finishes guide.)
Cabinets
Alabaster on cabinets looks like a warm built-in. Chantilly Lace looks painted-white, which is what people want against a navy or green island. White Dove sits between them and photographs well. Spray plus sanding, not a brush-only coat, is what keeps the white from looking DIY. See cabinet refinishing.
Houston Superior Painting specifies and paints these whites across Houston. Get a free estimate or call (346) 594-5960.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best white paint for Houston walls?
Alabaster, for most houses. It stays warm in afternoon sun without going yellow the way older builder whites do.
Can I use Chantilly Lace on walls and trim?
Yes on trim and ceilings. On every wall, only if the room has balanced light. In a west-facing open kitchen it is usually too stark.
Are these Benjamin Moore only?
The names are Benjamin Moore. We can match them in Sherwin-Williams at the store if that is the product line on the rest of the house.
Owner, Houston Superior Painting
Juan Serra founded Houston Superior Painting in 2019 and runs it from the company's Cypress headquarters, with five offices serving Greater Houston. He reviews the prep scope on every estimate.
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