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Home / Decorating Resources / Paint

Our secret to get paper swatches for all Sherwin Williams Suburban Modern paint colors

Kate - February 24, 2014, Updated: July 20, 2021

SW-Suburban-Modern-covers032We’ve been hearing from readers bemoaning that sample color chips for the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern interior and exterior paint collections are no longer available in stores. This has consistently been a favorite go-to paint palette. So, when brochures were discontinued in 2012, we posted a PDF of the original brochures here. In this latest development, though, we were surprised to hear that stores could not supply some of color sample chip cards. So, Pam sent me on a mission to my local Sherwin-Williams to investigate. My findings: You can still get the interior Suburban Modern paint chips if you know where to look. But, the exterior Suburban Modern paint chips are no longer available in stores. Still, no need to panic. In true Brenda Starr reporter form, I found an easy way you can still get a closer look at the exterior color choices, too.

See the interior colors from the Suburban Modern collection in the current Historical Collections brochure

sherwin-williams-historical-paint-colors sherwin-williams-historical-paint-chipsYes, I had to do some digging, since the friendly paint salesman who assisted me had no idea what I was talking about. But after pawing through a few of Sherwin Williams’ updated paint brochures, I found the Suburban Modern interior colors — mixed in with other historical paint collections in their fold-out “Historical Collection” brochure.

historical-paint-collection-sherwin-williamsThe Historical Collection brochure groups together all of the colors from Sherwin-William’s entire Historic Paint collection. A few years ago, stores offered two separate brochures — one interior, one exterior — for each historical period. Now, you can see the interior collection in the combined Historical Collection brochure.  Alas, though, no current brochure shows the original Suburban Modern exterior color choices.

Sherwin-williams-suburban-modern-paint-colorsThe timeline along the bottom of the Historical Collection brochure features easy to recognize symbols next to each era’s name to identify which paint samples belong in each time period.

Sherwin-Williams-Holiday-TurquoiseAbove: A classic favorite “Holiday Turquoise.”

sherwin-williams-pink-flamingo-paintAnd above: Pink Flamingo is there, too.

How to get sample chip cards for exterior paint colors from the Suburban Modern collection

Since I still hungered for swatches from the Suburban Modern exterior paint collection, I contacted Sherwin-Williams Customer service to ask if they had renamed the colors on the exterior Suburban Modern color palette, or if there was a way for me to still get swatches for these colors.

Sherwin-Williams Customer Service Representative replied to me via email:



I am sorry for the inconvenience, but we do not have alternatives for these colors and no longer have color samples available. However, you can order color samples if you register for a new account at: www.MyS-W.com. You must sign up as a designer to receive this feature [emphasis ours]. Once you register and confirm your email address, you will be able to order the color samples directly from your profile page using the “Order Color Samples” link.

order-color-samples-Sherwin-williamsSure enough, after quickly signing up for a “designer” account on MyS-W.com, I found the “order color sample” button.

Sherwin-Williams-color-sample-sizesThrough this service, you can order paint samples in any of three different sizes: 3″x4″, 7″x8″ or 8″x11″. This is fantastic for home owners and designers alike, who can tape a large sample to the wall to get a better idea of how a color looks.

look-up-color-sample-sherwin-williamsTo find the colors from the Suburban Modern Paint Collection, simply type in their color number, the quantity needed and then add to cart.  Once all of the swatches you need are in your cart, simply finish the checkout — they do not charge for the samples or for shipping — and then your samples will arrive in the mail. Super easy.

You can find the color numbers for the Suburban Modern Paint Collection on the online brochures, but I’ve also listed them below:

Exterior Suburban Modern Colors:

  • Peace Yellow SW 2857
  • Harvest Gold SW 2858
  • Beige SW 2859
  • Sage SW 2860
  • New Colonial Yellow SW 2853
  • Caribbean Coral SW 2854
  • Sycamore Tan SW 2855
  • Fairfax Brown SW 2856
  • Avocato SW 2861
  • Burma Jade SW 2862
  • Powder Blue SW 2863
  • Stratford Blue SW 2864
  • Plymouth Green SW 2852
  • Sage Green Light SW 2851
  • Chelsea Gray SW 2850
  • Westchester Gray SW 2849

Interior Suburban Modern Colors:

  • Pinky Beige SW 0079
  • Appleblossom SW 0076
  • Holiday Turquoise SW 0075
  • Chartreuse SW 0073
  • Sunbeam Yellow SW 0078
  • Classic French Gray SW 0077
  • Pink Flamingo SW 0080
  • Radiant Lilac SW 0074
  • Porcelain SW 0053
  • Pearl Gray SW 0052

Now your only problem with the Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern Paint Collection will be choosing which colors to use!

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21 comments

Comments

  1. ledobe says

    November 12, 2019 at 11:34 am

    FYI if anyone is interested, there is a “Suburban Modern” brochure for sale on eBay right now-I’m NOT the seller, just ran across it

  2. Dee says

    July 13, 2019 at 10:30 pm

    Just wanted to let you know that this way to order samples is still working in 2019. I just signed up tonight. I’m getting samples of Holiday Turquoise as well as their new featured color, Positive Red. Very pared-down versions of the historical collections are now available on the S-W website, but not all of the colors in the brochures are featured. I tried to get a sample of Burma Jade, for example. I got a message that the paint is still available in stores, but samples are not. They suggested getting a sample of a color called “Restful” instead.

    Another fun thing to try on the S-W website is the “create a scene” app. I uploaded a picture of my very uncomplicated one-story mid-century modest ranch and had a lot of fun trying different colors on for size. I have an old set of melamine dishes that have my favorite color combo: turquoise, red, charcoal and white. I already have charcoal window and door trim and a white storm door. I replaced my pale gray siding with Holiday Turquoise and my front door with Positive Red, and I’m sold! Even my teenage son thought it was a great combo.

  3. MSH says

    February 11, 2018 at 6:40 pm

    For anyone wondering, this “trick” will still work. I found Powder Blue in store. Stratford Blue wasn’t available to order but the other colors I wanted to try were!

  4. Sam says

    October 21, 2016 at 11:13 am

    We used Burma Jade for our exterior. At first, we worried that it was too bold, but it is perfect! Like a muted turquoise.

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203790089016264&set=a.10201611834321258.1073741827.1340450258&type=3&theater

    • pam kueber says

      October 21, 2016 at 11:23 am

      Thanks, Sam, link does not work – can you make it public?

  5. Jil Sonia Interiors says

    April 26, 2016 at 8:46 pm

    Thank you so much, this will be very helpful as I was just hired to bring a 60s home back to it’s former glory, this is a stunning curved home on 1/2 acre lot, which was even featured in a book.
    Can’t wait to start on this!!

  6. Lynne swan field says

    June 4, 2015 at 3:25 pm

    I am just getting started in painting my first piece of furniture. I really love all the retro colors and how you have them all CV combined. I sanded down my bedroom nightstand and am ready to paint it. What colors do you suggest for bedrooms? I also would like to try and tackle bathroom vanity but am afraid to start the project.

    .

    • pam kueber says

      June 4, 2015 at 6:45 pm

      I think that paint color is really a very personal choice, Lynne… Also, if it’s a nice wooden piece, you can also consider staining it.

  7. Maegan says

    May 17, 2015 at 3:27 pm

    Love these colors! My bathroom is Holiday Turquoise and my office is Chartreuse. They are just right!

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