Read all about Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue, plus see 25 real homes that use it!
If you’ve been keeping up with this paint color series, you probably know how challenging whites, off-whites, and grays can be to choose. But something I haven’t mentioned before is just how hard blues can be to pick for your home, too! (Are you noticing a pattern here? Paints tough!)
I think the reason that blues can be so hard to choose is that they can vary SO much. Pale blue, light blue, navy blue, blue-green, blue-gray. It’s almost mind-boggling how different one simple color like “blue” can look.
But honestly, that’s what I really love about choosing paint colors. Some people get overwhelmed by the sheer volume of color choices. I get energized and excited because I see them as opportunities. If you found a color you love, but it’s a little too dark or too light, you’re bound to find JUST the color you’re envisioning if you just search a little bit.
In this series, I’ve covered many different shades of white, off-white, beige, greige, and gray. That’s because they’re some of the most popular and versatile paint colors.
But I have a special place in my heart for blues. Maybe that’s because studies have shown that the color blue is calming, relaxing, and reduces stress levels. That’s certainly the case for me if you caught our blue bedroom makeover!
I can get on board with almost any blue – except when it comes to paint. When I consider blue paint for my home, I want something that’s light but not too light and saturated enough not to fade away in the light. I also want something that’s not TOO blue and has a nice neutral quality to it.
That’s why I love Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue (HC-144).
It’s a soft blue-green with enough gray sprinkled into the mix to make it versatile and lovely.
Once you see this color in action, I feel confident that you’ll love it too! Are you ready? It’s time to check out BM Palladian Blue.
FAQs about Palladian Blue
What color is Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue?
Some people might call it aqua or teal or blue-green (or even green-blue). Whatever you want to label this light gray-infused blend of blue and green, I simply call it stunning.
This color is basically a slightly darker, bluer Benjamin Moore version of Sherwin Williams Sea Salt. If you’re looking for a Sherwin Williams equivalent, check out SW Rainwashed.
It’s light enough that it doesn’t make a room feel dark, small, or cold. In fact, it seems to do the opposite, making even a dark room feel light and spacious. And it also has enough saturation that it doesn’t look washed out in bright lighting.
If you’re looking for that perfect spa (aaaahhhh!) vibe, consider Palladian Blue.
Is Palladian blue warm or cool?
This shade has cool undertones that make the color feel calming and serene. But it’s not cool enough to make a room feel at all cold.
Where should I use BM Palladian Blue?
Try using this hue anywhere! It looks incredible in:
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Living rooms
Family rooms
Playrooms
Kid’s rooms
Laundry rooms
Kitchens
And more!
It’s a perfect shade for coastal, farmhouse, traditional, and transitional-style homes.
I’m not gonna lie – choosing the PERFECT paint color isn’t as easy as seeing what you like online and simply adding it to your space. There’s an entire science behind it! Grab a FREE copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue Undertones
ALL paint colors have undertones. There’s no escaping them! So, as a homeowner and decorator, what you need to do is to work WITH them. And the only way to do that is to be aware of what they are.
Blue shades can have gray, green, or purple undertones, which can affect the way colors appear in different types of lighting.
Palladian Blue has heavy green and gray undertones. They blend with the blue to give the paint a soft, versatile, neutral vibe.
How Different Types of Lighting Affect BM Palladian Blue
Here’s a basic guide to how different lighting situations will impact how this color reads.
- North-facing light – northern light is the coolest light which will pull out those cool blue-gray undertones and make the color look darker.
- South-facing light – this warm lighting will balance out the coolness of the color and help it read as “true” as possible.
- East-facing light – warm, yellow eastern light will make this color look warmer in the morning light and darker, cooler in the afternoon.
- West-facing light – western light is rich orangey red which will make Palladian Blue look almost warm.
NOTE: Paint colors hardly ever look the same on a device screen as they do on walls in different lighting situations. If you want to know what a paint shade will REALLY look like, use paint samples to check out how a paint color behaves in your home with your lighting and decor.
As far as sampling goes, I highly recommend these non-messy, re-usable, re-positionable peel and stick paint samples ⤵
If undertones make your head ache, you’re not alone! Grab your no-cost copy of “5 Biggest Paint Choice Mistakes” Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Great Coordinating Colors for Palladian Blue
This hue coordinates well with many colors, from white to deep hues. Try pairing it with some of the ideas on this list:
- Revere Pewter
- Storm
- Harbor Gray
- White Dove
- Edgecomb Gray
- Gray Owl
- Pure White
- Silver Satin
- Hale Navy
- Urbane Bronze
- Sea Salt
- Fieldstone
- Amazing Gray
- Balboa Mist
- Stonington Gray
LRV of Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue (HC-144)
Ok, time to get technical for just a sec. Paint can be a chameleon because it changes the way it looks based on the influences of lighting and nearby decor. That said, I like to evaluate colors in subjective ways to avoid those outside influences.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV) is a number ranging between 0 and 100. Every color has an assigned LRV number that indicates how much light it reflects. Darker shades have lower LRV numbers (because they reflect less light), while lighter shades have higher LRV numbers (because they reflect more light).
The LRV of BM Palladian Blue = 61.17
This value puts this hue in the medium-light category, right at about my magic LRV number of 60. It reflects quite a bit of light and is saturated enough to contrast nicely with white trim and not wash out in bright light.
LRV…what? Don’t worry, I’ve got you! This no-cost guide will help you avoid the paint color picking mistakes most people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Palladian Blue Compared to Other Colors
Here’s how Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue stacks up against three different popular paint color choices.
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue vs. Woodlawn Blue
With an LRV of 60.74, BM Woodlawn Blue is just the teeniest bit lighter than Palladian Blue and has fewer gray undertones. These colors are very close, but if you look closely, you’ll notice that Woodlawn blue is just slightly bluer than Palladian Blue is.
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue vs. Sea Salt
Sherwin Williams Sea Salt is a similar color, but its LRV of 63 makes it a wink lighter than Palladian Blue.
And even though both colors have gray undertones, Sea Salt reads slightly more green and less blue. Because it’s a bit lighter, Sea Salt will be more likely to wash out in bright lighting.
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue vs. Beach Glass
With an LRV of 50.3, BM Beach Glass reads significantly darker than Palladian Blue does. Its rich saturation is a good fit for very bright rooms or when you want more color. Additionally, Beach Glass has stronger gray undertones.
More Colors to Consider
If you aren’t quite feeling the pull to push the button on Palladian Blue yet, check out these other shades to see if they might be what you want.
- Chantilly Lace (Benjamin Moore) – a cool bright white with blue-gray undertones
- Repose Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a warm, mid-toned greige
- Silver Satin (Benjamin Moore) – a soft, grayish off-white
- Sea Salt (Sherwin Williams) – a soft light to mid-green with gray undertones
- White Dove (Benjamin Moore) – a warm creamy off-white
- Stonington Gray (Benjamin Moore) – a rich, mid-toned neutral gray
- Light Pewter (Benjamin Moore) – a crowd-pleasing light gray with greige undertones
- Classic Gray (Benjamin Moore) – a light, greige-leaning off-white
- Rainwashed (Sherwin Williams) – a serene light blueish-green
- Krypton (Sherwin Williams) – a sophisticated gray-blue
Feeling lost? I gotcha, boo! Get a zero-cost copy of my new guide to avoid the paint color picking mistakes people make! Click here or enter your email below. I’ll send the tips right away!⤵️
Real Life Homes Using Palladian Blue
Ok, we are done with all the techy info and ready to jump in to see how this color behaves in real life!
Let’s check out how Palladian Blue shifts and shimmies in real homes with different lighting and decor styles. Here are real-life homes using Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue paint!
Remember it’s always better to sample than be sorry!
Palladian Blue Living Rooms
A quick note here: don’t forget to consider picking the right paint finish…it’s not only about getting the color right! We have an in-depth explanation of choosing sheens here.
1. Family Room in Palladian Blue
The low levels of cool northern light in this room from Evolution of Style Blog pull out the blue-gray qualities in Palladian Blue.
The color has plenty of saturation to feel there’s enough color on the walls, but it doesn’t read as dark and keeps the room feeling large and open.
2. Blue Green Living Room
By contrast, this room from Caitlin Creer with bright southern light washes out the color just a little.
There’s still good saturation so that it contrasts well with the white trim, and the warm light pulls out the green undertones.
Bedrooms Painted BM Palladian Blue
In general for bedrooms, and low-traffic areas, flat paint is fine. If you like something with a bit of shine (and more ease of cleaning) opt for eggshell or satin.
3. Restful Retreat
Here you can see some of Palladian Blue’s spa-like qualities. Blue is one of the most popular bedroom colors because it’s restful, and this room is a great example of that quality showing through in this paint shade.
4. Girl’s Room in Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue
Palladian Blue is a perfect choice for a kid’s room (like this awesome example from The Decorologist)! It’s soft, fun, and neutral enough to go with whatever decor your child has.
5. Neat Niche
Palladian Blue sets off this adorable bedroom niche so nicely. It’s a great contrast with the white trim, and has a sophisticated look that is still playful enough for a child’s space.
6. BM Palladian Blue Bedroom
This shade doesn’t just work for kids’ rooms, either. It looks stunning in this adult bedroom from Right Up My Alley! The lighting and decor pull out some of the green undertones, making it read green-gray.
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue Kitchens
For kitchens, eggshell or satin are popular finish choices for walls. For cabinets consider semi-gloss or high gloss for the most durable finish (and a gorgeous glow).
7. Paneled Wall in BM Palladian Blue
What a fun accent color for a kitchen! Reading as a lovely blue with a wink of gray here, Benjamin Moore Palladian blue pairs well with white and wood tones to add a nice pop of color as seen in this example from Hooked on Houses.
8. Kitchen Painted Palladian Blue by Ben Moore
Since this color never looks too dark or too washed out yet still maintains a lovely soft neutral quality, it works in almost any style of home, as seen in this lovely example from House of Turquoise.
9. Palladian Blue Cabinets
Loving this retro look that Palladian Blue creates in this fun kitchen as the primary cabinet color.
Dining Spaces in Palladian Blue Paint
10. Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue Dining Room
The bright warm light in this room from Dona Rosene Interiors washes out the hue as much as you’ll ever see it washed out.
It has enough saturation that even though the walls look pale, they aren’t too light.
Bathrooms Featuring Ben Moore’s Palladian Blue
Don’t forget the finish! For bathrooms the perfect sheen is either an eggshell or satin. Why? We’ll tell you in this post about paint sheen.
11. BM Palladian Blue Bathroom
Ok, I’m completely sold on Palladian Blue as a bathroom color! The textured walls add a nice touch so that the color doesn’t look boring in this airy blue space from 12 Oaks Blog.
12. Spa Bathroom Vibes
Love this combo of natural wood paired with brass, cement tiles and of course, Palladian Blue! This shade really is a knockout in bathrooms.
13. Palladian Blue Trim and Doors in a Master Bath
Check out Megan’s Instagram for a few more angles of this lovely bathroom, including a Palladian Blue bathroom vanity! How fabulous is this shade used here as the bathroom trim and door color?
Laundry Rooms with Palladian Blue Paint
14. Laundry Room Painted Light Blue
And although this paint looks lovely on a textured wall, it also looks stunning on normal walls with farmhouse decor in this laundry room shared by Valley and Birch.
15. Pretty Paired with Penny Tile
Check out the clean, happy look in this laundry room thanks to gorgeous Palladian Blue cabinets and that white and bright penny tile! The farmhouse sink is a big bonus, too, right? #laundryroomgoals
Home Exteriors Painted Palladian Blue
16. Blue-Green Outdoor Shed
This color shines on outdoor structures too! Consider it for the home exterior, sheds, or even playhouses.
17. Front Door in Palladian Blue
If you want a light pop of color for the front door, you can’t go wrong with Palladian Blue. Isn’t it beautiful on this door shared by Renew My Home?
18. Pretty in Palladian Blue
Here’s another front door decked in HC 144. And even though it’s a blue-green, it still looks awesome with seasonal decor, right?
19. Darling Door
And that carries through to winter, too! Just because Palladian Blue could easily be a beachy, Carribean-cool color, it works so well year-round on a front door!
20. Paired with BM Simply White
Palladian Blue is showing why it’s part of the Historic Collection. It looks so perfect inside and out older homes.
Here the Palladian Blue door is paired with the popular Ben Moore white shade, Simply White, as the main color of this lovely home’s exterior.
21. Decking the Halls (and Doors) in Palladian Blue
More adorable door snaps of Palladian Blue creating a welcoming palette to invite friends and family to your home. And how great does it pair with this bright, festive red?
22. Haint Blue Patio Ceiling
One of my favorite uses for this paint shade though has to be on ceilings! Haint blue ceilings are very popular in the south, but that doesn’t mean we can’t mimic the same look wherever we happen to live! This gorgeous covered patio looks so much more inviting than it could have with a plain white ceiling.
23. Haint Blue Porch Ceiling in Palladian Blue
Here we’ve got another haint blue porch ceiling over at my pal Lauren’s place at Bless’er House. Isn’t it fantastic?
Other Spaces Painted in HC-144
24. Inviting Entryway
Palladian Blue creating a colorful, memorable entryway when paired with a fun wallpaper!
25. Home Office Cabinets
Going to the office isn’t bad…when you have a pretty workspace, complete with Palladian Blue cabinets for your desk!
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue is a gorgeous, cool-leaning, neutral blue-green-gray paint. Is it a great fit for your home and decor? I hope you’ve been able to see how amazing this color can look.
And if this is a color you’re seriously considering, remember paint-sampling is better than ending up paint-sorry! I highly recommend these peel and stick samples because they are inexpensive, re-usable and re-positionable…
Pin this paint color for later! And if you use this paint shade, leave a comment on the pin! That helps others decide if they want to try this color, too!
Ready to show those boring, bland walls who’s the boss at home? This no-cost guide will help you sidestep mistakes that almost everyone makes when it comes to picking paint! You’ll be on your way to perfect paint promptly…pinky swear.
Beth says
Fun article! Woodlawn Blue is one of my all time favorite Ben Moore colors, and is in my own kitchen and our rec room. When working with clients checking LRV was always part of the process, and your focus on more true blues feeling too cold is spot on. I used to tell clients that a true blue will look three times bluer when on the wall.
And an extremely minor note: Ben Moore says (on line) that Palladian Blue’s LRV is 60.4 and Woodlawn Blue’s is 60.65. Basically LRV twins. If someone can see the LRV difference between the two, that speaks my old vs. their young and much better eyes.