Dusty Miller Alt 2 → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for PPG Dusty Miller Alt 2 (PPG1133-4), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Dusty Miller Alt 2
If you love PPG Dusty Miller Alt 2 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 PPG, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Dusty Miller Alt 2 (PPG1133-4) is a medium-dark green with soft willow green undertones. A soft green named for the graceful willow tree. Between Olive Sprig and Dusty Miller in depth. Calming and organic. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 35) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Dusty Miller Alt 2 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 Blue Ground (No.210) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Blue Ground is the closest F&B option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Dusty Miller Alt 2
Blue Ground is the closest F&B option. Similar character.
| Dusty Miller Alt 2 | Blue Ground | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 35 | 35 |
| Hex | #ABB4A8 | #A9B9B9 |
| Undertone | Soft Willow Green | Historic Blue-Gray |
| Family | Green | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Dusty Miller Alt 2 has soft willow green undertones. A soft green named for the graceful willow tree. Between Olive Sprig and Dusty Miller in depth. Calming and organic.
Blue Ground has historic blue-gray undertones. A historic blue-gray named for the blue ground used in gilding. More blue than Pigeon, lighter than De Nimes. Refined and versatile.
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. Dusty Miller Alt 2's soft willow green quality may read differently than Blue Ground's historic blue-gray 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
Dusty Miller Alt 2 in Your Room
The green is soft and organic. In bright rooms, a gentle sage. In dim rooms, a warm green-gray.
Blue Ground in Your Room
In bright rooms, the blue is soft and present. In dim rooms, a sophisticated cool gray. Under warm light, the blue calms.
LRV and Brightness
Dusty Miller Alt 2 has an LRV of 35, while Blue Ground has an LRV of 35. 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 Dusty Miller Alt 2
PPG recommends Dusty Miller Alt 2 for: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, living room, exterior. With an LRV of 35, this is a medium-dark color that is in the medium range, adding real depth and presence to a room. It works best in rooms with good natural light or as an accent wall color. In smaller or darker rooms, pair it with bright white trim to keep the space from feeling closed in.
Blue Ground is recommended for: bedroom, living room, bathroom, hallway, dining 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.
Dusty Miller Alt 2 in Other Brands
Looking for Dusty Miller Alt 2 equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Dusty Miller Alt 2 (PPG1133-4) is Blue Ground (No.210) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Blue Ground is the closest F&B 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. Dusty Miller Alt 2 is a PPG color with soft willow green undertones and an LRV of 35. Blue Ground is a Farrow & Ball color with historic blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 35. 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 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.