De Nimes → Behr
The closest Behr matches for Farrow & Ball De Nimes (No.299), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Behr Equivalent for De Nimes
If you love Farrow & Ball De Nimes 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.
De Nimes (No.299) is a dark blue with denim blue undertones. A sophisticated denim blue named for the French city of Nimes where denim originated. Muted and masculine, like well-worn jeans. More restrained than a bright blue. To find a good Behr match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 16) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between De Nimes 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 Laurel Garland (PPU11-09) with a Delta E of 4.6, which is a "good match" level match. Laurel Garland 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 De Nimes
Laurel Garland is the closest Behr option. Similar character.
| De Nimes | Laurel Garland | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 16 | 23 |
| Hex | #73878E | #969E91 |
| Undertone | Denim Blue | Dark Sage |
| Family | Blue | Green |
Undertone Comparison
De Nimes has denim blue undertones. A sophisticated denim blue named for the French city of Nimes where denim originated. Muted and masculine, like well-worn jeans. More restrained than a bright blue.
Laurel Garland has dark sage undertones. A dark, muted sage green. Deeper than Sage Wisdom, lighter than In The Moment. The rich, earthy green of dried laurel leaves.
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. De Nimes's denim blue quality may read differently than Laurel Garland's dark sage 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
De Nimes in Your Room
In bright light, the denim blue is visible and appealing. In dim rooms, the gray calms it into a sophisticated neutral. A distinctive, characterful blue.
Laurel Garland in Your Room
In bright rooms, the sage is earthy and grounding. In dim rooms, reads as a warm dark gray-green. A solid mid-dark sage.
LRV and Brightness
De Nimes has an LRV of 16, while Laurel Garland has an LRV of 23. That means Laurel Garland reflects more light. If you switch from De Nimes to Laurel Garland, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for De Nimes
Farrow & Ball recommends De Nimes for: bedroom, living room, accent wall, office, kitchen. With an LRV of 16, 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.
Laurel Garland is recommended for: kitchen, accent wall, exterior, office, bedroom. 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.
De Nimes in Other Brands
Looking for De Nimes equivalents in other brands besides Behr? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Behr match for De Nimes (No.299) is Laurel Garland (PPU11-09) with a Delta E of 4.6, which rates as a "good match" match. Laurel Garland 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. De Nimes is a Farrow & Ball color with denim blue undertones and an LRV of 16. Laurel Garland is a Behr color with dark sage undertones and an LRV of 23. With a Delta E of 4.6, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. 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 4.6, 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 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.