Hague Blue vs Stiffkey Blue
A side-by-side comparison of Farrow & Ball Hague Blue (No.30) and Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue (No.281).
| Farrow & Ball Hague Blue | Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| Code | No.30 | No.281 |
| Hex |
#2C3E46
|
#374352
|
| RGB | 44, 62, 70 | 55, 67, 82 |
| LRV | 4.15 | 7 |
| Undertone | Blue-Teal | Blue-Gray |
| Family | Navy | Navy |
| Best Rooms | Accent Wall, Powder Room, Office, Kitchen Island, Front Door | Accent Wall, Office, Bedroom, Powder Room, Front Door |
LRV Comparison
Light Reflectance Value measures how much light a color reflects. Hague Blue has an LRV of 4.15 (dark) and Stiffkey Blue has an LRV of 7 (dark). These two colors reflect a similar amount of light, so the brightness of a room will feel comparable with either choice.
The Full Comparison
Two of Farrow & Ball's most iconic dark blues. Hague Blue has teal-green undertones that give it a rich, complex character. Stiffkey Blue is more purely gray-blue, more restrained and scholarly. In a powder room or accent wall where drama is the goal, Hague Blue's teal complexity steals the show. In an office or library where sophistication should be quiet, Stiffkey Blue is more appropriate. Both look stunning with brass hardware and white trim, but Hague Blue demands more attention while Stiffkey Blue recedes with dignity.
Hague Blue Undertones
A deep, dramatic teal-navy with green undertones. More complex than a standard navy. Feels rich, moody, and distinctly British.
Stiffkey Blue Undertones
A deep, complex navy blue named after the Norfolk village. More gray and muted than Hague Blue, with a calm, scholarly quality.
Lighting Behavior
Hague Blue: In daylight, the teal-green character is visible. In dim rooms or at night, it reads as a deep, inky near-black with blue depth. Absolutely stunning with brass hardware.
Stiffkey Blue: In bright light, it reads as a deep blue-gray. In dim rooms, it approaches a sophisticated near-black with blue depth. More restrained than Hague Blue.
Explore These Colors
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Hague Blue (Farrow & Ball) and Stiffkey Blue (Farrow & Ball) are not the same color. They're in the same family (navy), but they differ in undertone, LRV, and how they behave in different lighting. Hague Blue has blue-teal undertones, while Stiffkey Blue has blue-gray undertones. Always compare physical samples before choosing.
Stiffkey Blue is lighter with an LRV of 7, compared to Hague Blue's LRV of 4.15. 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 Hague Blue (LRV 4.15) on walls and the lighter Stiffkey Blue (LRV 7) on trim creates a classic contrast that makes the trim pop.