Find out the good, the bad, and the ugly about Benjamin Moore Pashmina, and see homes that use it!
Benjamin Moore Pashmina (AF-100) is a beige-leaning, mid-toned greige that stands out thanks to its depth. This popular hue adds a touch of eye-catching drama and beauty anywhere you use it.
As the saying goes, “The only constant in life is change.” (Or something like that, anyway.) And if you think about the world of interior design, that phrase definitely rings true.
In the last few decades, decor palettes have shifted a LOT. Beiges shifted to gray, which then shifted to greiges and whites. It became “light and airy” or bust.
Now, another shift is happening where interior decor is embracing a bit more drama through the use of deeper, moodier shades and adding some color again (don’t worry, it’s subtle color, not neon orange or lime green).
If you’re looking for a GREAT neutral with a bit of depth, I am highlighting a shade today that I you may find that you love! Benjamin Moore Pashmina is a little moody, very neutral, and easily hits that decor sweet spot.
If Picking Paint Colors Gives You Anxiety
Do you want to give your home a refresh with a new coat of paint but feel your heart skip a few beats at the thought of picking colors? I have some solutions for you. 1. Check out my library of paint color review posts. They’re designed to make finding that ideal shade stress-free. You’ll discover all the details you need to know (and more) about each color in the series!
If you feel like you need a little more hand-holding, then check out my Paint Perfect System. It’s a video e-course you can complete in under one-hour. After which, you’ll be able to confidently pick paint shade you love forever-more! It’s been purchased by over 700 happy readers!! Check it out 👇
Now it’s time to check out Benjamin Moore Pashmina and see if it will be the perfect color for your home.
What color is Pashmina?
Pashmina (BM AF-100) is a mid-toned greige paint color with strong beige undertones. It’s stunning, moody, and eye-catching.
Call it mushroom, taupe, or greige. No matter what moniker you use, Pashmina is a neutral paint color that has a little gray, a little more beige, and a whole lotta charm!
This shade finds a balance between warmth and coolness as well as dark and light to deliver neutral sophistication that looks incredible anywhere.
Real Homes Using Benjamin Moore Pashmina
Here’s the fun part: seeing this color on full display! Check out these examples of Pashmina that show a range of uses so you can get a clear idea of how this color REALLY appears.
And then if you’re still not convinced that this shade is right for you, we’ll dig into some of the more “dry” details (undertones, similar shades, coordinating colors, etc) later on.
Kitchens Painted Pashmina
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).
1. Greige and Inviting
I gotta say, I’m loving those lower kitchen cabinets in Pashmina from The Delighted Home. They add just a hint of color to this bright kitchen but keep it feeling light, airy, and inviting!
2. Understated and Chic
This kitchen from Terra Nelson has both upper and lower cabinets painted in Pashmina, and it looks incredible.
The crisp artificial lighting is pulling those cooler gray undertones forward, but the final result is very sophisticated.
BM Pashmina Living Spaces
3. Wrapped up in Comfort
The lighting in this room makes the paint on the walls of this living room from Laff Co Painting look EXACTLY like its namesake. Doesn’t it just look like you’re wrapped up in a cozy pashmina?
And this shade pops so nicely against the bright white trim details around those window frames and the base moldings.
4. Perfectly Greige
Here, in this room from Barrickman Design Group via Houzz, Pashmina from Benjamin Moore looks elegant yet simple.
It doesn’t stand out, yet its balance of gray and beige pulls every element in the room together.
BM Pashmina in Dining Rooms
5. Hint of Green
At first glance, you may not notice it, but the far wall of this room from Sealy Designs via Houzz shows off Pashmina’s subtle green undertone.
You can thank the lighting, the greenery, and the gold accents for that trick of the eye.
6. More Beige than Gray
The warm artificial lighting in this dining space from @eclectic_cdn_style draws the beige tones forward in Pashmina and pairs really well with brown and wood tones.
Bedrooms Painted Benjamin Moore Pashmina
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.
7. Perfectly Neutral
One of my favorite ways to use neutral shades is to do exactly what Spaghetti on Bath Night did. Let the neutral paint add some depth, but then add fun pops of color through decor and accents!
8. Chic and Timeless
This bedroom retreat from Aspen & Ivy will never go out of style. And even though the paint makes the room feel as cozy and inviting as a warm hug, it’s the kitty on the bed that adds the final cozy touch!
9. Looks Gray in Low Light
This room from Uptown Down Home obviously has low levels of natural light, so BM Pashmina looks its darkest and most gray. It’s not too heavy, though.
Benjamin Moore Pashmina Entry and Hallways
10. Perfect Whole House Color
If you have a home that’s large, airy, or bathed in natural light like this example from P2 Design via Houzz, Pashmina can be the ideal shade to give beautiful results while adding depth and making it feel cozier.
11. Accent Wall Dream
Are you loving this accent entryway corner wall from Simply Beautiful by Angela as much as I am?
And pairing it with the dark greige interior door? It’s rustic, gorgeous, and creates a new dimension of beauty!
Other Homes using Pashmina Paint
12. Effortlessly Glam
Although you may not think of greige as an obviously glam color, this bathroom from Galko Homes may make you think differently.
It’s small and cozy, and the high-end finishes (e.g., backsplash and chandelier) make the perfect final touches.
13. Complementary Colors
This example from Blue Spruce Interiors shows off how Pashmina behaves when paired pink and red, which are complementary colors for its green undertones.
Notice the green tinge – it’s not a lot, but it’s there.
Now, let’s dig more into some important details about this paint color, shall we? And remember…if you feel like you need a bit more support, check out Paint Perfect!
Benjamin Moore Pashmina FAQs
What other colors are similar to Pashmina?
Due to differences in the way each company blends paint colors, trying to get paint colors in different brands of paint is endlessly frustrating and nearly impossible.
If you want a similar color to Pashmina from a different brand than Benjamin Moore paint, I recommend Sherwin Williams Outrigger or Behr’s Pebble Stone (which leans more beige).
Is Benjamin Moore Pashmina warm or cool?
Since Pashmina leans towards beige, it’s a warm greige, but it’s not overly warm, thanks to those gray undertones. You’ll notice it shifts between looking warmer in warm-toned lighting and a little cooler in cool-toned lighting.
However, it’s versatile enough that it can pair well with both warm and (not overly) cool shades!
Where should I use Benjamin Moore Pashmina?
Let Pashmina add sophistication and grace to your:
Walls (every corner of your home!)
Kitchen cabinets
Accents (shelving, furniture, etc.)
Mudroom built-ins
Cabinets (bathroom, laundry room)
Exteriors
Thanks to its neutral nature, Pashmina successfully works in ANY style of home, including Traditional, Contemporary, Modern Farmhouse, Transitional, Japandi, and more.
Benjamin Moore Pashmina Undertones
This shade has a good balance of beige and gray that doesn’t go pink or purple like some greiges do.
It does, however, have a very mild green undertone that will peek through every now and then. It’s subtle and tends to show up most when Pashmina is paired with pink or purple (which are complementary shades on the color wheel, so they’ll pull that green forward).
Want to avoid that green undertone? Use my no-paint-regret secret weapon: peel-and-stick paint samples. These 12×12 paint swatches are a great way to see (and avoid) any unwanted paint undertones!
How Different Types of Lighting Affect Sherwin Williams’ Pashmina
The sun comes up each day, and as it moves across the sky, the temperature and color of the light it gives off change. That constantly shifting lighting significantly impacts how paint appears.
EVERY paint color will display some variation throughout the day, and that’s just the nature of paint. It’s your job to decide which shades (and color shifts) work for your home and which ones don’t.
Here’s a rundown of how Benjamin Moore Pashmina will appear in different natural light exposures.
- North-facing light – This cool, gray lighting will make Pashmina appear grayer and darker.
- South-facing light – This consistently warm southern lighting will make Pashmina read very beige and a little lighter and softer too.
- West-facing light – Pashmina will do quite a bit of shifting in western exposure. Expect it to appear darker and cooler in the morning and then become brighter and warmer in the afternoon.
- East-facing light – Pashmina will experience the same shift in the opposite order as west-facing light. It will read warm and beige in the morning before shifting to its grayer, darker side in the afternoon.
When to Avoid BM Pashmina
Stay away from using this shade in rooms without ample light because it can look dark and dingy.
Steer clear from super creamy whites because the gray undertones will look dingy next to the overt yellow undertones in the white.
If you don’t want to see those green undertones, avoid pairing this shade with opposite colors on the color wheel (pinks and purples).
Great Coordinating Colors for Pashmina
Pashmina is just picky enough that it won’t pair well with just any color. For the best results, I recommend sticking with true whites, some creamy whites, blues, greens, gray-greens, beiges (that don’t have pink undertones), darker earthy shades, and darker greiges.
And when choosing hardware or metal accents, this shade looks stunning with brass, brushed nickel, matte black, and antique chrome finishes!
If you need a few specific color ideas that act as a perfect match with Benjamin Moore Pashmina, try:
- Deep in Thought
- White Dove
- Coriander Seed
- Cinder
- Edgecomb Gray
- Providence Blue
- Whipple Blue
- Polar Sky
- Quiet Moments
- Lacey Pearl
- Maritime White
- Urbane Bronze
- Seapearl
- Ballet White
- Lodge
- Cloud White
For trim and ceiling paint colors to pair with Pashmina, I recommend whites that don’t have strong yellow undertones, such as White Dove, Oxford White, Chantilly Lace, or Super White.
Paint Sheens and Finishes
The right paint finish makes a huge difference in every room in your home, from your master bedroom to low-traffic bedrooms, your kitchen, and everywhere else too.
Achieving the perfect interior paint job requires being familiar with the different paint finishes so you can find the ideal sheen of your choice.
- High gloss – Although it offers an easy-to-clean surface and great mildew resistance, high gloss paint is shiny and shows less-than-perfect surfaces, so I don’t recommend using it when the condition of the wall isn’t good.
- Semi-gloss – This sheen is great for small spaces, rooms with low light levels, and high-humidity environments (like bathrooms).
- Satin – A middle of the sheen spectrum, satin is the most popular finish. It’s ideal for a wide variety of surfaces, high traffic areas, and offers color rub-off resistance when you wash away grime with soap and water.
- Eggshell – The slight sheen of eggshell is a little more durable than flat paint and can withstand VERY gentle scrubbing.
- Flat (or matte) – Most people love the luxurious look of a flat finish, but it’s not ideal for every surface. Flat paint’s shine-free appearance provides excellent hiding abilities for imperfections, but I only recommend that luxurious matte finish for low-traffic areas since it can withstand minimal washing without losing paint coverage.
LRV of Benjamin Moore Pashmina (AF-100)
LRV (or Light Reflectance Value) is a scale that measures the reflection of light a color has, with 0 being totally black and 100 being totally white.
The LRV of Benjamin Moore Pashmina = 44.2
BM Pashmina lands on the darker side of the medium depth range, so in rooms without much light, it will provide great depth of color and look rich and saturated (and COULD look heavy). On the other hand, in rooms with bright lighting, the lighting will brighten and soften it so it appears as a medium greige with plenty of depth.
But it has enough depth to provide incredible hide, so that you won’t usually need multiple coats of paint (unless you’re painting over DARK shades).
Pashmina Compared to Similar Colors
How does Pashmina stand out from other pale greige paints/similar colors on the market? Let’s find out!
Comparison to: Stone Hearth
To start, let’s compare Pashmina with Ben Moore’s Stone Hearth (#984). With a higher LRV of 48.45, it’s also a gorgeous mushroom color. However, it is noticeably lighter, leans more beige, and doesn’t have the green undertones that Pashmina does.
Because of this, I would say that it’s a slightly more versatile shade but will deliver less drama or depth.
Comparison to: Revere Pewter
Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter (HC-172) is an uber-popular and enduring balanced greige (although it leans slightly gray), and it’s a shade that I personally struggle with. With an LRV of 55.51, it’s quite a bit lighter than Pashmina, and there lies the problem.
With a color as rich as Pashmina, people tend to be a little more selective about where to paint it. Unfortunately, with Revere Pewter, it’s JUST light enough that people tend to use it much more than necessary. Plus, it has similar green undertones.
Comparison to: Thunder
Benjamin Moore’s Thunder (AF-685) falls between Pashmina and Revere Pewter in saturation (LRV 47.58). Reminiscent of gray storm clouds, Thunder has a gray base with slight beige undertones, making it appear much cooler than Pashmina appears.
More Colors to Consider
Can you see why Pashmina is such a popular choice among homeowners?
If you aren’t quite sure whether you want this touch of drama or something slightly different, check out these popular alternatives!
- Anew Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a warm greige that leans gray.
- Accessible Beige (Sherwin Williams) – a gorgeous beige with a touch of gray.
- Baby Fawn (Benjamin Moore) – a light beige-leaning greige.
- Gauntlet Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a warm-leaning dark greige.
- Chelsea Gray (Benjamin Moore) – a dark greige with brown undertones.
- Popular Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a mid-to-light greige with pink undertones.
- Worldly Gray (Sherwin Williams) – a warm and versatile light greige.
Isn’t Benjamin Moore Pashmina great? This sophisticated shade has a lot going for it, so it’s no wonder that this color is popular among homeowners and designers.
Interested? Grab a peel and stick paint sample of Pashmina and test it in your home before you call your contractor.
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.
Leave a Reply