Simply White vs Greek Villa: The Cross-Brand White Comparison That Matters
- Beril Yilmaz
- Mar 23
- 9 min read
Simply White and Greek Villa appear on the same shortlists regularly -- both warm, both popular, both described as fresh and inviting alternatives to stark pure white. One is Benjamin Moore's brightest warm white, the other is Sherwin Williams' most loved warm off-white. The LRV gap between them is 5.5 points -- significant at this end of the spectrum -- and their undertones create completely different atmospheres on a wall. Understanding the difference prevents a costly mistake.
This guide covers exactly how Simply White and Greek Villa differ in LRV, undertone, character, and room application -- with a clear verdict on which one suits which situation.
Quick Reference -- Simply White vs Greek Villa
| Simply White OC-117 | Greek Villa SW 7551 |
Brand | Benjamin Moore | Sherwin Williams |
LRV | 89.5 | 84 |
Undertone | Clean warm white -- barely-there yellow, crisp | Warm yellow-beige, sandy, organic |
Temperature | Warm but very bright -- leans crisp | Warm and direct -- sunnier, more obvious |
Depth | Much brighter -- close to pure white | Softer, more body, more obviously off-white |
North-facing rooms | Bright and clean -- holds well | Yellow can push toward lemon -- test first |
South-facing rooms | Crisp and luminous -- fresh quality | Luminous and glowing -- at its best |
Best trim | Chantilly Lace OC-65, or itself | Extra White SW 7006, Pure White SW 7005 |
Exteriors | Crisp, very bright -- suits clean modern facades | Warm, grounded -- suits more styles |
Best for | Contemporary, minimalist, bright open spaces | Coastal, organic modern, warm sunny rooms |
Verdict | Brighter, crisper, more contemporary | Warmer, softer, more organic character |
What Is Simply White?
Simply White OC-117 is Benjamin Moore's most popular bright warm white -- Benjamin Moore's own Color of the Year. At LRV 89.5 it sits at the very bright end of the white spectrum, reflecting almost as much light as a pure white while maintaining just enough warmth to prevent the clinical coldness that true whites can produce.
Simply White's undertone is a clean, barely-there yellow -- it reads as warm without being obviously creamy. The yellow quality is present but so restrained that it reads more as freshness and clarity than warmth. This is what makes Simply White so widely specified for trim, ceilings, and bright contemporary walls -- it gives white spaces a living, breathing quality without the commitment of a proper off-white. The full breakdown is in the Simply White review.
What Is Greek Villa?
Greek Villa SW 7551 is Sherwin Williams' most beloved warm off-white for both interiors and exteriors. At LRV 84 it is significantly softer than Simply White -- that 5.5-point gap is clearly visible on a wall. Greek Villa has genuine body, genuine warmth, and a distinctive sandy, organic quality that Simply White's high-LRV crispness simply does not deliver.
Greek Villa's undertone is warm yellow-beige with a clean sandy quality -- it reads as clearly and obviously warm in most conditions. In south-facing rooms with strong natural light it creates a luminous, sun-drenched atmosphere that is one of the most beautiful warm white effects available. In north-facing rooms the yellow undertone can push the color toward a slightly lemony quality. The full breakdown is in the Greek Villa review.
Simply White vs Greek Villa -- The Key Differences
LRV -- The Most Important Difference
The 5.5-point LRV gap between Simply White (89.5) and Greek Villa (84) is the most significant practical difference between these two colors -- it is the primary reason they create such different atmospheres despite both being described as warm whites. Simply White at LRV 89.5 reads almost as a pure white on a wall -- it is crisp, bright, and clean with just a whisper of warmth. Greek Villa at LRV 84 reads as a proper off-white -- softer, warmer, with genuine depth and body. In a room where you want maximum brightness and a clean, contemporary quality, Simply White. In a room where you want genuine warmth and the organic character of a classic off-white, Greek Villa.
Undertone Character
Both colors are warm but their warmth reads completely differently. Simply White's warmth is clean and restrained -- it reads as freshness rather than creaminess. Greek Villa's warmth is direct and organic -- it reads as clearly warm and sandy. Placing them side by side reveals the difference immediately: Simply White looks almost like a bright neutral white; Greek Villa looks like a warm, glowing off-white. They are not interchangeable and should never be used on adjacent surfaces.
Cross-Brand
Simply White is Benjamin Moore and Greek Villa is Sherwin Williams -- different paint systems, different undertone formulations. A cross-brand match of either color will not replicate the original. If you are mixing both brands in the same project, the undertone difference between them will be visible. Stay within one brand's system for any surfaces that can be seen simultaneously.
Where Each Belongs
Simply White belongs in contemporary, minimalist, and bright spaces where the brief is a warm white that reads almost as pure white -- Scandinavian interiors, modern kitchens, bright open-plan spaces, and any room where maximum light reflectance is the priority. Greek Villa belongs in organic modern, coastal, and traditional spaces where the brief is a warm white with genuine character and depth -- a color that reads as an intentional off-white rather than a near-white.
Not sure which white is right for your room? Book a color consultation here -- bydesignandviz.com/book-online |
Simply White vs Greek Villa -- Room by Room
Living Rooms
Simply White suits living rooms where the brief is bright, clean, and contemporary -- open-plan spaces, rooms with large windows, and interiors with a minimalist or Scandinavian character where maximum light reflectance creates the airy, expansive quality the design needs. Greek Villa suits living rooms with a coastal, organic modern, or warm-palette character -- spaces where the walls should feel warm and inviting rather than crisp and bright. In a north-facing living room where warmth is needed, Greek Villa is the stronger choice. In a south-facing open-plan living room where brightness is the priority, Simply White delivers a cleaner result.
Bedrooms
Greek Villa is the stronger bedroom choice between the two for most situations -- its warmth and depth create a settled, restful atmosphere that suits a bedroom's purpose more naturally than Simply White's bright, clean quality. Simply White in a bedroom can feel slightly too energetic and awake -- particularly in a south-facing room where its near-pure-white LRV reflects a lot of light. In a bedroom where the brief is calm and cocooning, Greek Villa. In a bedroom where the brief is fresh and bright, Simply White.
Kitchens
Simply White is one of the most widely specified kitchen whites in residential design -- on cabinets it creates a bright, crisp, timeless kitchen finish that suits shaker, slab, and handleless cabinetry equally. Its high LRV keeps kitchens feeling open and light even under artificial lighting. Greek Villa on kitchen cabinets creates a warmer, sandier, slightly Mediterranean kitchen -- it suits warm stone countertops, brass hardware, and open wood shelving beautifully but is more situation-specific than Simply White's broader versatility.
Trim and Ceilings
Simply White is one of the best trim whites available and is frequently used on ceilings -- its high LRV and clean warm quality provide a crisp, bright boundary that suits almost any wall color. Greek Villa is not typically used as a trim color -- its warm sandy undertone reads as a wall color rather than a crisp trim white. For trim alongside Greek Villa walls, use Extra White SW 7006 or Pure White SW 7005 from the SW range.
Exteriors
Greek Villa is the stronger exterior choice between the two -- its lower LRV and warmer, more organic character read with more presence and depth on a facade than Simply White's near-pure-white brightness. Simply White on an exterior can wash out in strong direct sunlight and loses the warmth that makes it appealing at interior scale. For exteriors where a warm white is the brief, Greek Villa is almost always the correct choice. For a crisp, near-white contemporary exterior, Simply White can work on the right architecture -- but test carefully.
What to Pair With Simply White
On walls alongside: Any color -- Simply White's clean warmth pairs with both warm and cool accent colors without creating undertone conflict.
On trim alongside: Any wall color -- this is Simply White's strongest application.
Floors: Warm wood, white oak, cool stone, marble -- Simply White's high LRV and clean undertone adapts to the widest range of floor materials.
Style: Contemporary, minimalist, Scandinavian, modern farmhouse, transitional.
For how Simply White compares to White Dove -- the other major BM warm white -- the Simply White vs
White Dove guide covers that comparison directly.
What to Pair With Greek Villa
Trim: Extra White SW 7006 or Pure White SW 7005.
Floors: Warm wood, warm stone, terracotta -- Greek Villa's sandy warmth relates most naturally to warm, organic materials.
Accents: Warm terracotta, olive green, natural linen, warm brass.
Style: Coastal, organic modern, Mediterranean, farmhouse, south-facing sunny rooms.
For how Greek Villa compares to White Dove -- another popular cross-brand warm white comparison -- the White Dove vs Greek Villa guide covers that directly. For how Greek Villa compares to Alabaster within the SW range, the Greek Villa vs Alabaster guide covers that comparison.
The Verdict
Choose Simply White if: you want maximum brightness from a warm white, the interior style is contemporary or minimalist, you are using the color on trim or ceilings, your room is large and open with good natural light, or you are working within the Benjamin Moore system.
Choose Greek Villa if: you want a proper warm off-white with genuine depth and organic character, the interior style is coastal or organic modern, the room is south-facing with strong natural light, you are painting an exterior, or you want a warm white that reads as clearly off-white rather than near-white.
The LRV gap makes these two colors genuinely different in character -- Simply White is a bright warm white, Greek Villa is a warm off-white. They suit different briefs and different rooms. If you are unsure which your room needs, sample both at large scale in the actual room -- the difference will be immediately and clearly visible in a way that a paint chip never reveals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Simply White warmer than Greek Villa?
No -- Greek Villa is clearly warmer than Simply White. Greek Villa's yellow-beige undertone reads as direct, organic warmth. Simply White's warmth is so restrained and high-LRV that it reads as crispness and freshness rather than warmth. Greek Villa commits to being an off-white; Simply White reads almost as a bright near-white with a hint of warmth.
Can I use Simply White walls with Greek Villa accents?
Not on adjacent surfaces -- they are from different brands and their undertone and LRV differences will create a visible mismatch. In clearly separated rooms with no visual connection between them they can both appear in the same home, but mixing them on surfaces that are seen together will look unintentional.
Which is better for small rooms -- Simply White or Greek Villa?
Simply White's higher LRV makes it the better choice for small rooms where maximum light reflectance is needed -- it reflects more light and makes small spaces feel more open and airy. Greek Villa in a small room can feel slightly heavier than Simply White due to the lower LRV. The caveat is light direction: in a small north-facing room, Greek Villa's warmth may be preferable to Simply White's bright crispness even at the cost of slightly less light reflectance.
Does Simply White look yellow on walls?
Simply White's yellow undertone is so restrained that it rarely reads as obviously yellow on walls -- it reads as a warm, clean white rather than a creamy or yellow white. In very strong south-facing light it can read as slightly warm but never as obviously yellow. This is what makes it such a reliable trim and ceiling white -- the warmth is present but never intrusive.
Which is more popular -- Simply White or Greek Villa?
Both are among the most searched warm whites in their respective brands. Simply White was Benjamin Moore's Color of the Year and remains one of their most specified whites for trim, cabinets, and walls. Greek Villa has grown significantly in popularity alongside the coastal and organic modern interior trends. Greek Villa currently has stronger search volume as a standalone comparison keyword; Simply White has broader usage as a trim and ceiling reference.
Final Thought
Simply White and Greek Villa serve different purposes in interior design -- Simply White delivers brightness and crispness with a hint of warmth; Greek Villa delivers genuine warm off-white character with organic depth. Choosing between them is a question of whether you want near-white crispness or warm off-white presence in your room. Sample both at large scale in the actual light conditions of your room before deciding -- at this level of comparison the difference is immediately visible and the right choice becomes obvious.
Need help choosing the right warm white for your home? See our design packages here -- bydesignandviz.com/#interiordesignpackages |
About the Author
Beril Yilmaz is a qualified architect and interior designer based in the UK. She runs BY Design And Viz, a design platform covering paint color reviews, interior design guidance, and residential design projects.
