Stratton Blue → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue (HC-142), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Stratton Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Stratton Blue but need a Valspar alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Valspar, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Stratton Blue (HC-142) is a medium-dark blue with muted blue-green undertones. A muted blue-green from the Historical Collection. Lighter than Wythe Blue, bluer than Beach Glass. Named for Vermont's Stratton Mountain, it carries a cool, alpine freshness. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 39.55) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Stratton Blue and every Valspar color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Valspar option is Coastal Dusk (VR091B) with a Delta E of 2.7, which is a "good match" level match. Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option at LRV 35. Very close match. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Stratton Blue
Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option at LRV 35. Very close match.
| Stratton Blue | Coastal Dusk | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 39.55 | 35 |
| Hex | #B1C1BF | #ACB8BA |
| Undertone | Muted Blue-Green | Muted Coastal Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Stratton Blue has muted blue-green undertones. A muted blue-green from the Historical Collection. Lighter than Wythe Blue, bluer than Beach Glass. Named for Vermont's Stratton Mountain, it carries a cool, alpine freshness.
Coastal Dusk has muted coastal blue undertones. A muted, mid-tone blue-gray with coastal character. More depth than Beach House, less dark than a navy. The color of the coast at twilight, when the blue deepens and the gray settles in.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Stratton Blue's muted blue-green quality may read differently than Coastal Dusk's muted coastal blue character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Stratton Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the blue-green is soft and fresh. In dim rooms, the gray takes over. A versatile, calming color that shifts beautifully throughout the day.
Coastal Dusk in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is soft and coastal. In dim rooms, the gray takes over. Under warm light, it softens into a sophisticated neutral. A versatile blue-gray with real character.
LRV and Brightness
Stratton Blue has an LRV of 39.55, while Coastal Dusk has an LRV of 35. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Stratton Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Stratton Blue for: bathroom, bedroom, living room, nursery, kitchen. With an LRV of 39.55, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Coastal Dusk is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, living room, office, accent wall. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Stratton Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Stratton Blue equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Stratton Blue (HC-142) is Coastal Dusk (VR091B) with a Delta E of 2.7, which rates as a "good match" match. Coastal Dusk is the closest Valspar option at LRV 35. Very close match. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. Stratton Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with muted blue-green undertones and an LRV of 39.55. Coastal Dusk is a Valspar color with muted coastal blue undertones and an LRV of 35. With a Delta E of 2.7, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 2.7, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.