Sherwin Williams Rosemary – A Sophisticated Dark Green Paint Color
Color trends have been steadily shifting away from cool grays toward warmer, richer colors like blue gray paint and green gray paint. While gray will always have its place, I'm loving the depth and character that a sophisticated deep green paint color can bring.
One of the loveliest paint colors in the green-gray family is Sherwin Williams Rosemary (SW 6187), a rich saturated shade that's gaining popularity. If you're ready to embrace a little color and add some drama to your home, let's explore what SW Rosemary has to offer and whether it's right for your home.
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What Color Is Sherwin Williams Rosemary?
If you're considering Sherwin Williams Rosemary, I have four words for you:
Accent walls and cabinets.
That's because SW Rosemary's organic green hue has a depth and moodiness perfect for making a dramatic statement on shiplap walls, board & batten accent walls and wood cabinetry.
Many people who shy away from black paint color turn to a deep shade like Rosemary green to achieve a similar level of visual impact. Its muted foresty ambience brings the outdoors inside and works beautifully with traditional, modern, farmhouse and even transitional design styles.
Is Sherwin Williams Rosemary warm or cool?
While Rosemary contains gray undertones, most people perceive it as a slightly warm green because of its earthy, nature-inspired appearance.
Unlike cooler greens that can sometimes feel crisp or minty, Rosemary feels grounded, organic, and welcoming.
Rosemary Sherwin Williams undertones explained
Rosemary is fairly straightforward as paint colors go and doesn't come with a lot of undertone surprises.
It features a heavy dose of gray undertones which calms and softens the green. Those gray undertones keep the green from feeling overly bright or trendy, giving it a timeless, sophisticated look.
Rosemary color adds drama to any room, but unlike some very dark greens, it doesn't read black on the walls the way SW Greenblack can.
SW Rosemary LRV
Don't expect Rosemary to reflect much light.
With a Light Reflective Value of 14, this is a medium-dark paint that absorbs far more light than it reflects. (For reference, Sherwin Williams' darkest black, SW Tricorn Black, has an LRV of just 3).
Because SW Rosemary is fairly dark, your room's lighting conditions, both natural and artificial, will significantly affect how the color appears. I highly recommend ordering peel-and-stick paint samples of Sherwin Williams Rosemary before committing to gallons of paint. Testing colors directly on your walls can save you a ton of paint grief, time and expense.
Looking to test paint colors but don't want to paint? Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples from all major paint brands delivered to your door so you can put them up on the wall with no mess.
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Examples Of A Sherwin Williams Rosemary Color Palette
Let's take a look at this beautiful color in action and see how Rosemary paint could transform your home.
Sherwin Williams Rosemary Accent Wall
For an instant room makeover, choose Rosemary Sherwin Williams for a dramatic green accent wall. Jackie of Finding Lovely lightened SW Rosemary by 50% for her big boy room transformation.
You can lighten or darken any paint color by 25% or 50% simply by asking the paint store to adjust the formula when they mix your paint. This keeps it in the same color family while making the shade work better for your space.
Vintage Revivals also chose Sherwin Williams Rosemary for a board and batten accent wall in a reception room makeover that creates an unforgettable first impression. That rich brown leather against the deep green looks oh so modern!
SW Rosemary cabinets
Rosemary's moody green on shelving amps up the color palette for an interesting backdrop for books, plants, and decor items.
(Pssst - Get more shelving inspiration with this no-fail 3 step formula for for styling shelves.)
Nicole from Basic Blue House created a stunning focal point by incorporating a vibrant Rosemary green kitchen island into a classic white kitchen.
The island provides just enough color against the white cabinets to feel both trendy and timeless.
SW Rosemary walls
If you choose SW Rosemary on the walls, balance the look with lighter furnishings, white trim, and bright accents.
This keeps the room from feeling too heavy and adds a rich and layered feel. The contrasting shades in these laundry rooms and bathroom feel clean, fresh, and anything but boring.
SW Rosemary VS Other Green Gray Paint Colors
Sherwin Williams Rosemary vs Evergreen Fog
Compared to SW 9130 Evergreen Fog, Rosemary color is noticeably deeper and more committed to green. If your room is smaller or lacks natural light, Evergreen Fog may feel brighter and easier to live with on multiple walls.
That said, if you're going for a monochromatic color palette, these two colors would coordinate beautifully.
Sherwin Williams Rosemary vs Ripe Olive
With an LRV of 6, SW Ripe Olive 6209 is every bit as dark as some black paint colors including SW Iron Ore (6) and SW Peppercorn (10).
In comparison Rosemary SW 6187 feels softer, greener, more muted and, unlike Ripe Olive, is less likely to appear black in lower-light conditions.
Sherwin Williams Rosemary vs Pewter Green
SW Pewter Green leans much more heavily into the gray side (think "metal"). If you want a color that feels more neutral and subdued, Pewter Green may be a better fit.
Both colors are deep and dramatic, but that heavy dose of gray makes Pewter Green feel cooler and more restrained. Neither color is one you would use on all the walls throughout, but both can create stunning focal points and accent walls.
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Sherwin Williams Rosemary Coordinating Colors
If your home is already filled with white and greige paint colors but you're craving more depth and personality, Sherwin Williams Rosemary is an excellent way to layer in touches of deeper color without repainting the entire interior.
Coordinating colors that pair happily with Rosemary are:
Warm Whites and Neutrals
- SW Snowbound - a brighter white that creates crisp contrast against Rosemary.
- SW Alabaster - soft creamy white that keeps Rosemary feeling warm and inviting.
- SW Neutral Ground - warm greige that softens the richness of Rosemary.
- SW Conservative Gray - a muted green-gray that creates a beautiful tone-on-tone look.
Contrasting Colors
- SW Deep Forest Brown - rich and dramatic for a sophisticated palette.
- SW Status Bronze - adds warmth and depth while complementing Rosemary's earthy character.
Rosemary also looks beautiful paired with natural wood tones, brown leather furniture, woven textures, and brass and bronze finishes.
Final Thoughts On Sherwin Williams Rosemary
If you've been wanting to move beyond basic neutrals but aren't ready for a bright or trendy color, Sherwin Williams Rosemary is a beautiful way to introduce rich, earthy color into your home. What makes Rosemary so versatile is its ability to work across a variety of applications, from statement-making kitchen islands and built-ins to cozy home offices and striking accent walls. The muted gray undertones keep it grounded, allowing it to add character without overpowering a room.
And if you're trying to create a cohesive color palette throughout your entire home, be sure to read my guide on Easy Steps to Create a Whole House Color Palette to learn how designers choose colors that flow beautifully from room to room.
P.S. There's no better way to create a cohesive feel than with color, but in order to avoid mistakes and get an updated look you've got to understand color like a designer.
Inside my online course, Color Made Clear, I will teach you exactly what you need to know about selecting colors for your home in everything from paint colors, to flooring and carpet, to fabrics so you can make confident color decisions and get the exact look and feel you're going for. - Even if there are finishes in your home you can't change, I'll show you how to use color to distract from them for an updated look!
