Appleblossom
What Appleblossom Actually Looks Like
Appleblossom is a muted, dusty pink that reads more like a blush than a true red. It sits right at the midpoint of the light reflectance scale with an LRV of 51.3, which means it has enough color saturation to register as intentional on a wall without overwhelming a room. In person, it looks like a faded rose petal, quiet and warm. In bright daylight it can lean slightly peach. Under incandescent light it deepens toward a rosy terracotta. It never looks sugary or juvenile, which is why it shows up in historic paint collections rather than nursery palettes.
Appleblossom Undertones
The dominant undertone is pink, but it is a complicated pink. You will notice warmth pulling it toward peach in south-facing rooms, and in cooler north light it can read as a slightly dusty mauve. Some designers see a faint coral quality, especially when it is placed next to cooler grays or blues. Others read it as almost a warm neutral with a rose wash. The truth is somewhere in the middle. Appleblossom has enough gray and brown in its mix to keep it grounded, but its heart is pink. If you hold a swatch next to a true neutral beige, the pink becomes obvious. Next to a saturated coral, it looks muted and restrained.
Where Appleblossom Works Best
This is a color that was born in Sherwin-Williams' Historic collection, so it feels at home in older houses with crown molding, paneled doors, and plaster walls. But it works just as well in a modern space that needs warmth without heaviness. Use it on all four walls in a dining room for an enveloping, intimate feel. It is strong enough for an accent wall in a living room, especially behind open shelving or a gallery wall. In kitchens, it pairs well with white cabinetry and brass hardware. On exteriors, Appleblossom makes a surprisingly elegant body color for a cottage or bungalow, especially with cream trim and dark shutters.
Where to put Appleblossom
Appleblossom on all four walls creates a warm, flattering glow that makes evening dinners feel special. Candlelight pulls out its rosy warmth. Pair it with Roman Column on the trim and a dark wood table, and you get a room that feels collected and inviting without trying too hard.
Use Appleblossom on an accent wall behind a sofa or fireplace. It adds color and warmth without dominating the room. Keep the remaining walls in a warm white and let the pink wall anchor the space. Linen, leather, and warm wood tones all look great against it.
On upper walls above white or cream cabinets, Appleblossom adds personality without competing with the workspace. It plays well with marble and butcher block countertops. Brass or unlacquered copper hardware draws out its warm side.
Appleblossom reads lighter outdoors in direct sun, drifting toward a warm blush. It suits cottage, Victorian, and Suburban Modern styles. Use a creamy white trim and a deep green or charcoal door for contrast. Test a large sample board in your actual light before committing.
What to Pair With Appleblossom
Sherwin-Williams pairs Appleblossom with Roman Column (SW 7562), a warm creamy white that keeps the palette soft and cohesive, and Urban Jungle (SW 9117), a deep muted green that provides real contrast without clashing. Roman Column is your go-to trim color here. Urban Jungle works beautifully on a front door, in an adjacent room, or on accent furniture.
Appleblossom vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Appleblossom at LRV 51.3.
Colors that clash with Appleblossom
Pairing Appleblossom with a blue-toned cool gray trim creates a jarring temperature clash that can make the pink look muddy or washed out.
A pure, high-LRV bright white next to Appleblossom creates too much contrast and makes the pink look darker and more saturated than intended.
Warm yellows and Appleblossom in neighboring sightlines can read as clashing or overly sweet, giving the palette a dated feel.
Common questions
Appleblossom has an LRV of 51.3, placing it right at the midpoint of the light reflectance scale. It reflects about half the light that hits it, so it reads as a true mid-tone, neither dark nor light.
It reads primarily as a dusty, muted pink. In warm or south-facing light it can pick up a faint peach quality, but the dominant read is pink with enough gray and brown to keep it from looking bright or sweet.
Warm whites and creamy off-whites are your best bet. Roman Column (SW 7562) is the coordinating trim pick from Sherwin-Williams and works beautifully. Avoid cool whites or blue-gray trims, which clash with the warm undertone.
Yes. It is available in exterior formulations and suits cottage, bungalow, and Victorian styles. It will read lighter outdoors in direct sun. Pair it with cream trim and a contrasting dark door for the best effect. Always test a large sample in your actual outdoor light.