Lily
What Lily Actually Looks Like
Lily SW 6693 reads like pale butter left out in the morning sun. It sits squarely in creamy yellow territory, lighter than most gold tones but never stark or washed out. In person, you notice more warmth than the hex might suggest. North-facing rooms pull out a slightly cooler, almost parchment-like quality, while south or west light amplifies the buttery richness. It is the kind of color that photographs a little differently every time depending on the light, which is part of its appeal.
Lily Undertones
The dominant undertone is yellow, but it is layered with a soft cream base that keeps it from reading like a primary color. Some designers describe a faint golden quality in strong natural light, while others see it as more of a warm ivory with yellow pushed forward. You will not find green or pink lurking here. What you get is consistently warm and approachable, though the intensity of the yellow shifts noticeably depending on your light source and wall size. Expect it to look more saturated on a full wall than on a paint chip.
Where Lily Works Best
Lily works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and nurseries where you want warmth without heaviness. Its LRV of 80.5 means it reflects a lot of light, so it is a strong choice for rooms that need a brightness boost without going white. It also works nicely as an accent wall when you want a subtle shift from a lighter neutral. Hallways and entryways benefit from its cheerful but restrained energy. Because this is an interior-only color, plan accordingly if you were considering it for exterior trim or siding.
Where to put Lily
Lily turns a living room into a space that feels sunlit even on overcast days. Use it on all four walls with Pure White trim for a cohesive, relaxed warmth. Layer in linen upholstery and natural wood accents to keep the palette grounded.
In a bedroom, Lily creates a cozy envelope without the heaviness of deeper yellows. It reads soft and restful at night under warm lamp light, then wakes up gently with morning sun. Pair it with white bedding and muted sage or dusty blue textiles for balance.
This is a nursery color that works for years, not just infancy. Its gentle yellow warmth feels cheerful without being overstimulating. Combine it with Extra White on wainscoting or shelving, and add natural wood furniture to keep the room feeling calm and timeless.
If you want just a whisper of color, use Lily on a single accent wall behind a sofa or bed. Against a lighter neutral on the remaining walls, it adds dimension and warmth without competing with art or furnishings.
What to Pair With Lily
Lily pairs naturally with clean whites that let its creamy warmth take center stage. Pure White (SW 7005) on trim gives a soft, slightly warm frame, while Extra White (SW 7006) provides a crisper contrast that makes Lily's yellow undertone pop a bit more. For furniture and textiles, think warm wood tones, soft greens, and muted blues.
Lily vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Lily at LRV 80.5.
Colors that clash with Lily
Pairing Lily with a cool blue-gray trim can make both colors look off. The warm yellow fights the cool undertone, and the result feels disjointed rather than intentional.
If every room visible from a hallway is painted in warm yellows, the effect can feel monotonous and overly saturated as colors bounce off each other.
Common questions
Lily has an LRV of 80.5, which makes it a highly light-reflective color. It will brighten a room significantly without reading as white.
Lily reads as a definite yellow, not an off-white. While it is soft and creamy, the yellow undertone is clearly present, especially on a full wall in natural light.
Yes. North-facing light tones down the yellow slightly and brings out more of the creamy, parchment side of the color. It still reads warm, just a bit more restrained than in south-facing light.
Pure White (SW 7005) is a go-to for trim. It is warm enough to complement Lily without clashing, while Extra White (SW 7006) gives a slightly crisper, brighter contrast.