Van Deusen Blue → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue (HC-156), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Van Deusen Blue
If you love Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue but need a Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Benjamin Moore, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is a dark blue with smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 11.52) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Van Deusen Blue and every Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball option is Card Room Green (No.79) with a Delta E of 3.6, which is a "good match" level match. Card Room Green is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 12. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Van Deusen Blue
Card Room Green is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 12. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible.
| Van Deusen Blue | Card Room Green | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 11.52 | 12 |
| Hex | #586C76 | #6C7567 |
| Undertone | Smoky Blue | Deep Forest Green |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
Van Deusen Blue has smoky blue undertones. A medium-dark smoky blue from the Historical Collection. More approachable than a full navy, with gray undertones that keep it sophisticated and versatile. A popular choice for accent walls and home offices.
Card Room Green has deep forest green undertones. A deep, muted forest green named for the card rooms in Georgian homes. Rich and dramatic, with the quiet confidence of old money. More gray and muted than a true emerald.
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. Van Deusen Blue's smoky blue quality may read differently than Card Room Green's deep forest green 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
Van Deusen Blue in Your Room
In bright light, the blue is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray softens it into a moody neutral. Under warm light, it feels cozy. Under cool light, the blue sharpens.
Card Room Green in Your Room
In bright light, the green is visible and moody. In dim rooms, it reads as a very dark, warm gray-green. Under candlelight, it is atmospheric and mysterious. A true F&B classic.
LRV and Brightness
Van Deusen Blue has an LRV of 11.52, while Card Room Green has an LRV of 12. 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 Van Deusen Blue
Benjamin Moore recommends Van Deusen Blue for: accent wall, office, bedroom, dining room, exterior. With an LRV of 11.52, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Card Room Green is recommended for: dining room, living room, accent wall, office, powder room. 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.
Van Deusen Blue in Other Brands
Looking for Van Deusen Blue equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Van Deusen Blue (HC-156) is Card Room Green (No.79) with a Delta E of 3.6, which rates as a "good match" match. Card Room Green is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 12. Similar character with F&B's chalky complexity, though some difference is visible. 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. Van Deusen Blue is a Benjamin Moore color with smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 11.52. Card Room Green is a Farrow & Ball color with deep forest green undertones and an LRV of 12. With a Delta E of 3.6, 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 3.6, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball 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.