Ammonite vs Pale Oak
A side-by-side comparison of Farrow & Ball Ammonite (No.274) and Benjamin Moore Pale Oak (OC-20).
| Farrow & Ball Ammonite | Benjamin Moore Pale Oak | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | No.274 | OC-20 |
| Hex |
#DAD5CD
|
#E0D7C9
|
| RGB | 218, 213, 205 | 224, 215, 201 |
| LRV | 66 | 69.89 |
| Undertone | Warm Stone | Warm Pink-Beige |
| Family | Gray | Greige |
| Best Rooms | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Whole House, Bathroom | Living Room, Bedroom, Hallway, Open Floor Plan, Whole House |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Ammonite has an LRV of 66 (light) and Pale Oak has an LRV of 69.89 (light). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
The transatlantic warm neutral comparison. Ammonite (F&B) is a warm, organic off-white with that distinctive Farrow & Ball chalky depth. Pale Oak (BM) is a light greige with subtle pink-beige warmth. Both create rooms that feel warm without color, but their characters differ. Ammonite has F&B's signature complexity: it shifts subtly between warm gray and off-white as the light changes. Pale Oak is more predictable and consistent. In a period home with architectural details, Ammonite's complexity rewards the eye. In a modern open-plan space, Pale Oak's consistency is an advantage.
Ammonite Undertones
A light, warm gray with organic, stone-like undertones. Named after the fossilized shell, it captures that natural, earthy quality.
Pale Oak Undertones
A light greige with subtle pink-beige undertones. Warmer and softer than many grays, without crossing into obviously beige territory.
Lighting Behavior
Ammonite: Reads as a soft, natural warm gray in most rooms. Less pink than many light grays. The earthy quality makes it pair beautifully with natural materials.
Pale Oak: The pink undertone is most visible in north-facing rooms or under cool light. In warm, sunny rooms it reads as a neutral warm off-white. Pairs beautifully with White Dove on trim.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Ammonite (Farrow & Ball) and Pale Oak (Benjamin Moore) are not the same color. They're in the same family (gray), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Ammonite has warm stone undertones, while Pale Oak has warm pink-beige undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Pale Oak is lighter with an LRV of 69.89, compared to Ammonite's LRV of 66. LRV (Light Reflectance Value) measures how much light a color reflects on a scale from 0 (black) to 100 (white).
That's a popular combination. Using the darker Ammonite (LRV 66) on walls and the lighter Pale Oak (LRV 69.89) on trim creates a classic contrast that makes the trim pop.