Tidal Basin → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Valspar Tidal Basin (VR091A), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Tidal Basin
If you love Valspar Tidal Basin 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 Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Tidal Basin (VR091A) is a dark blue with medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 17) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Tidal Basin 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 good news: there is a strong Farrow & Ball match for Tidal Basin. De Nimes (No.299) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. De Nimes is the closest F&B option. Very close match.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Tidal Basin
De Nimes is the closest F&B option. Very close match.
| Tidal Basin | De Nimes | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 17 | 16 |
| Hex | #788C90 | #73878E |
| Undertone | Medium Teal-Blue | Denim Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Tidal Basin has medium teal-blue undertones. A medium-dark teal-blue with gray undertones. Deeper than Beach House, more blue than green. Named for the reflecting pool, it carries that same still, reflective quality.
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.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Tidal Basin in Your Room
In bright light, the teal-blue character is rich and distinctive. In dim rooms, the gray mutes it into a sophisticated dark neutral. Under warm light, it feels moody and inviting.
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.
LRV and Brightness
Tidal Basin has an LRV of 17, while De Nimes has an LRV of 16. 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 Tidal Basin
Valspar recommends Tidal Basin for: accent wall, bedroom, office, bathroom, dining room. With an LRV of 17, 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.
De Nimes is recommended for: bedroom, living room, accent wall, office, kitchen. 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.
Tidal Basin in Other Brands
Looking for Tidal Basin equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Tidal Basin (VR091A) is De Nimes (No.299) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. De Nimes is the closest F&B option. Very close match. 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. Tidal Basin is a Valspar color with medium teal-blue undertones and an LRV of 17. De Nimes is a Farrow & Ball color with denim blue undertones and an LRV of 16. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
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.