Blackened → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Farrow & Ball Blackened (No.2011), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for Blackened
If you love Farrow & Ball Blackened but need a Behr 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 Behr, your local store does not carry Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Blackened (No.2011) is a light white with cool off-white undertones. A cool, sophisticated off-white with gray undertones. More gray than a typical white. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 72) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Blackened and every Behr 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 Behr option is Heavy Cream (PPU7-10) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Heavy Cream is the closest Behr option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Behr Matches for Blackened
Heavy Cream is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| Blackened | Heavy Cream | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 72 | 72 |
| Hex | #DBD9D4 | #E2DAC8 |
| Undertone | Cool Off-White | Warm Rich Cream |
| Family | White | Cream |
Undertone Comparison
Blackened has cool off-white undertones. A cool, sophisticated off-white with gray undertones. More gray than a typical white.
Heavy Cream has warm rich cream undertones. A rich, warm cream. More depth than Swiss Coffee.
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. Blackened's cool off-white quality may read differently than Heavy Cream's warm rich cream 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
Blackened in Your Room
In bright rooms, reads as a cool, refined white. In dim rooms, the gray adds depth.
Heavy Cream in Your Room
The cream warmth is rich and cozy. Golden in south-facing rooms.
LRV and Brightness
Blackened has an LRV of 72, while Heavy Cream has an LRV of 72. 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 Blackened
Farrow & Ball recommends Blackened for: whole house, bedroom, bathroom, hallway. With an LRV of 72, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Heavy Cream is recommended for: living room, bedroom, dining room, hallway. 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.
Blackened in Other Brands
Looking for Blackened equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for Blackened (No.2011) is Heavy Cream (PPU7-10) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Heavy Cream is the closest Behr option. Similar character. 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. Blackened is a Farrow & Ball color with cool off-white undertones and an LRV of 72. Heavy Cream is a Behr color with warm rich cream undertones and an LRV of 72. With a Delta E of 3.5, 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 3.5, 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 Behr equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Behr. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Behr 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.