Sherwin Williams Rosemary Paint – Green Kitchen Cabinets
I’ve tackled many kitchen cabinet projects in my time. From completing replacing to refacing and no I’ve taken on painting some wood cabinets. Now, just to be clear, I really wanted to keep the wood look. But since that was not an option, I wanted something neutral, classic, and different from just the usual white kitchen cabinets. Enter Sherwin Williams Rosemary green paint– a beautiful muted, gray green shade that works well on kitchen cabinets.
Natural wood is becoming more popular again and I hoped to give these oak cabinets new life. But, I quickly learned that this project was more about fixing a botched DIY project from the previous owner. At some point, someone sanded down these oak cabinets and applied a water based stain. I’m sure at one point it was lovely but unfortunately, it did not stand the test of time and was badly cracking and peeling. I thought I could simply sand and refinish with a natural appearing seal but that is not what happened. At all.
Sadly, water based stains seep down into the wood grain and cannot be simply sanded down. Ugh! I tried and tried and even consulted professional help. They gave it their best efforts but sanding was just going too far into the wood grain. Ultimately we decided to keep the wood strong, we’d have to change direction.
I was stuck here for a bit as I really had my heart set on natural wood cabinets. The cost of replacing was not an option so the only way to salvage it was with paint. I’ve gone with both white kitchen cabinets as well as Iron Ore cabinets and now I was ready to try something new. Given my recent love affair with muted green paint colors, I decide to go with Sherwin Williams Rosemary Green Paint.
After trying out the bathroom cabinets, I decided these kitchen cabinets were for the professionals and hired a contractor. However, I did not follow my own advice in hiring someone and had to really oversee a lot of this project. In the end though, it’s definitely an improvement. Different than the original plan but still an improvement!
Now, for the paint itself, SW Rosemary 6187. I chose this color as it’s a lovely muted, neutral green. This means it has a fair amount of gray so it’s not super green green, you know? It can be a bit dark and this kitchen sits low, being a bit sunken as my house is built on a hill. In this case, it’s a little moody and the color shifts with the time of day but lovely all the same.
For the kitchen island, I went with a different color for contrast and couldn’t help but choose my new favorite, Benjamin Moore Onyx. It is a warm, neutral black with a lot of depth and softness, perfect for grounding a space. I also used it on my office cabinets and gave a full rundown on my Onyx Black Paint Review.
What Is Sherwin Williams Rosemary (SW 6187)?
Rosemary is a deep, muted green from Sherwin Williams’ Green paint family. It’s not a bright, grassy green — it reads more like a dark sage or dried herb, which is fitting given the name.
- Color number: SW 6187
- Color family: Green
- Hex code: #64695C
- RGB: 100 / 105 / 92
- LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 13.5–14
- Undertone: Gray base with a soft yellow brown undertone – this is what keeps it warm instead of minty or cool
- Warm or cool: Warm-leaning, despite being a green
Does SW Rosemary have warm or cool undertones?
Sherwin Williams Rosemary green is a warm neutral green and looks especially warm in south facing and afternoon light. Because it has some yellow green undertones, it can appear slightly cool, like a touch of silvery blue – just like its namesake, the rosemary plant.
What’s the difference between SW Rosemary and SW Pewter Green?
Pewter Green leans more gray and metallic overall while Rosemary carries more visible green and warmth. Pewter Green is a touch darker and slightly more gray. Rosemary has more personality and green.
Is SW Rosemary a good color for kitchen cabinets?
Yes, Sherwin Williams Rosemary is especially great for spaces that want a warm, moody kitchen and move away from all white. It works best on lower cabinets or a full kitchen when paired with lighter counters, backsplash, or walls to balance the low LRV (light reflective value).
What paint colors go with SW Rosemary?
Because it’s a neutral green, many colors especially other neutral or warm leaning colors will pair nicely with Rosemary. Alabaster, Accessible Beige, and other warm whites work well together. Brass and matte metal hardware, as well as natural wood tones all pair well.
Is SW Rosemary a trendy paint color ?
Many designs are moving away from all white and gray spaces making colors like green, more popular. Because Sherwin Williams Rosemary is a muted neutral green it will likely still feel classic and contemporary in most spaces.
Additional Kitchen Upgrades
This cabinet color choice is part of a bigger kitchen design vision. I’d be adding some neutral white gray counter tops, nothing to silvery but it would make a big difference in brightening it all up. I’d also add some tile backsplash, I love vertical tiles but with these big windows, I’d probably keep it simple. And finally, I’d remove the outdated fridge with low profile stainless steel option which would also take this space to the next level.
Final Thoughts on Rosemary Green
Overall, I’m really happy with Sherwin Williams Rosemary Green on my kitchen cabinets. While it wasn’t my original vision, it definitely made an impact and the color serves as a breath of fresh, albeit a little moody, air. I love how the neutral color feels classic and contemporary all at once. It fits with my organic modern aesthetic and I’m glad to be trying yet another paint color! I was really sticking to my tried and true options for awhile but Rosemary Green is a solid choice for many spaces.
If you’re looking for other options, check out my list of Muted Green Paint Colors and my full Pewter Green Paint Review to compare and contrast paint choices.
