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Is Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore at the top of your list of gray paint colors? Wondering if it’s the right one for your space?
Worry not, my friend! Today, we’re covering all things Stonington Gray, from its LRV (don’t worry, we’ll talk about what that means!) to its undertones, trim color recommendations, and more.
Ready? Let’s get started.
What is the LRV of Stonington Gray by Benjamin Moore?
Stonington Gray has a LRV of 59, meaning it’s not super bright, but still fairly light. If you’ve never heard of it before, LRV stands for Light Reflectance Value, and it measures the percentage of light a paint color reflects.
LRV runs on a scale from 0% – 100%, 50% being the mid-value paint color. The higher the LRV of a color, the more light it reflects back into the room.
This is simply a guideline, though (not a set standard). It’s just a tool to help you predict how light or dark any given color will make the room feel.
Most companies print the LRV on the back of their paint chips, in case you’re ever curious about the LRV of a particular color.
Stonington Gray Undertones
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray has mainly blue undertones that can sometimes look slightly blue-green.
Under the right circumstances, it could pull slightly purple, although it truly depends on a number of factors, including light exposure and your interior finishes.
For example, in north-facing light, you’ll see more of the purplish blue undertone, while in warmer southern exposure, it’ll look more green.
Crazy stuff!
Is Stonington Gray a Warm or Cool Color?
Stonington Gray leans slightly cooler — it’s definitely not a warm gray. However, since it’s not a terribly light and fresh paint color, it has a bit of a “stormy” feel.
How Can I Get a Sample?
The absolute best way I’ve found to try out Benjamin Moore paint colors is to order a 12”x12” peel-and-stick sample from Samplize.
Use code FIRSTFIVE for a discount on your first Samplize order!
Here are a few things to love about these samples:
- You can easily move them around from room to room.
- They cost MUCH less than traditional sample pots, brushes/rollers, and foam board.
- They are more environmentally friendly.
Oh — and they arrive at your doorstep in just 1-3 days, which means no more running out to the store for samples (and then going back when you don’t like how they look in your space). You can’t beat that!
Grab a sample of Stonington Gray right here.
Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray Color Palette
Wondering what other colors go with Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray? Being that it’s a stormy gray with bluish undertones, it’s not exactly bright and fresh, but it does pair well with white accents (and even with black).
Here are a few other colors that look nice with Stonington Gray:
- Amherst Gray HC-167 (order a sample)
- Coventry Gray HC-169 (order a sample)
- Newburg Green HC-158 (order a sample)
- Black 3120-10 (order a sample)
- Hale Navy HC-154 (order a sample)
Looking for a whole house color palette using Benjamin Moore paints? Head over to this post for five great whole house color palette options.
How Does it Compare to Other Benjamin Moore Colors?
If you’re trying to decide between Stonington Gray and another Benjamin Moore (or another brand’s) paint color, it can be helpful to understand how it compares. Let’s compare it to a couple similar BM hues.
Stonington Gray vs. Silver Chain
As you can see, these two paint colors are very similar, yet Stonington Gray is just a touch lighter than Silver Chain. You might find that Silver Chain has a slightly cooler vibe, too, depending on your lighting and the other finishes in the room.
Order a sample of Silver Chain for comparison.
Stonington Gray vs. Gray Owl
With its soft greenish blue undertone, Gray Owl has a slightly warmer feel than Stonington Gray. Both are popular Benjamin Moore paint colors, though, so the color you choose entirely depends on personal preference.
Order a sample of Gray Owl for comparison.
Trim Color Recommendations
You’ve decided on Stonington Gray for the walls. Are you getting ready to paint your cabinets or trim now, and looking for a color that pairs well with this gray paint color?
When it comes to Stonington Gray, you can either go with a soft, warm white like Simply White or Cloud White. For a crisper contrast, you might even try a truer white like Chantilly Lace.
Keep in mind that, if you do choose a white with yellowish undertones, the bluish undertones in Stonington Gray could really make the yellow pop.
Which is why it’s really important to sample the colors you’re considering in your home — simply looking at them on a screen won’t give you an accurate depiction of the colors in real life.
Grab a sample of Simply White right here.
Grab a sample of Cloud White right here.
Or…
Grab a sample of Chantilly Lace right here.
Or, perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more bold than the oh-so-common white? Stonington Gray works well with not only white accents, but also with black.
Grab a sample of Black right here.
Is Stonington Gray a Good Exterior Color?
Yes, Stonington Gray could be a nice color for your home’s exterior. Just keep in mind that natural sunlight will make any color look a little lighter, so it could end up looking a little washed out.
Definitely sample it outside throughout the day in different natural lighting to make sure it’s actually the color you want.
What’s the Sherwin Williams Equivalent?
While there are similar Sherwin Williams colors, there is no true equivalent to Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray. That said, similar SW colors include:
- Tinsmith (try a sample)
- Silverplate (try a sample)
- Big Chill (try a sample)
Final Thoughts
What are your thoughts on this stormy gray paint color? Comments or questions about Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170? Let us know! Otherwise, check out the recommended articles below.
You might also enjoy:
Benjamin Moore First Light Paint Color Review
Top 9 Benjamin Moore Farmhouse Colors to Try This Year
13 of the Best Paint Colors for Small Bathrooms Without Windows
Ok, I had no idea what LRV was! Now I know. I actually really like this color because it’s neutral but still gives you a color other than white or beige. I think I like the Cloud White best as a trim option. Thanks for this super helpful post!
I’m glad this was helpful! Cloud White is a good choice. 🙂
Hello Heather… I loved your review/thoughts on Cloud White with Stonington— I kind of have a hot mess on my hands— I spent 2 months deciding on “grays”– put 12 of them on a shaded side of the house… (not thinking of the light factor).. Started with Gray Owl and switched to Stonington–then trying to do something different on my trim and wood trim around the windows– bought Amherst Gray— (not bad, but I don’t like it) now I am going to purchase 3-4 whites on Sampilize and doing my trim in white— I will be choosing between Cloud White, Chantilly, and Simply White… any suggestions you can give me through an email would be greatly appreciated… thank you!! Julie