Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue: Paint Color Review
A BLUE-GREEN BEAUTY…
Are you looking for the best blue-green with a little more depth? A blue-green with just enough gray that it’s calm, but not subtle? Let me introduce you to the ever-lovely Benjamin Moore Wythe Blue – also known as Catalina Blue 703.
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Wythe Blue is a blue-green paint color. Now, the big question is, is it BLUE with green in it (meaning the blue is more dominant) or is it GREEN with blue in it (which means the green is the boss)? You tell me.
That’s right, Wythe Blue is open to perception. Sure, YOU might see it as more blue, but a) talk to the next person or b) compare it to a more legit blue, and that green can come forward.
PERSONALLY, I see Wythe Blue as a blue paint color with a good dose of green for balance.
WHAT’S THE LRV OF WYTHE BLUE?
Wythe Blue has a depth (LRV) of 48.11. What does this mean? It means that it’s definitely NOT a light depth color (which would be in the 55-72 range), but it’s also not in the medium-depths – it’s not that heavy. Instead, Wythe Blue is a light-medium depth.
Why is this helpful?
There are a few reasons…
- The average room suits colors between 60-70 (with many exceptions, this is just the average).
- The average accent wall is usually 10-30, give or take.
- Most painted front doors are between 2 and 30 or so.
- Kitchen islands often have LRVs between 2 and 40 or so.
This means that Wythe Blue’s depth isn’t a ‘typical depth’ for any particular project, but can still be amazeballs if it’s the best depth for you.
Not sure what LRV is? It can change your paint-lovin’ life! Read about it.
WHAT ARE WYTHE BLUE’S UNDERTONES?
We already covered the ‘is it blue with a green undertone or green with a blue undertone thing.’ But no matter how you see it, Wythe Blue has a gray undertone. This gray takes the edge off, while still leaving a lot of color on your walls.
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Wythe Blue…
IS WYTHE BLUE A GOOD CABINET COLOR?
Wythe Blue can be beautiful on kitchen cabinets. However, when looking for this type of color, many want one tone lighter, OR they want this type of color, but darker for their kitchen island.
How to Choose Your Cabinet Paint Colors
Personally, while a color like Palladian Blue (which is lighter) can be a beautiful cabinet color, I actually love Wythe Blue’s bit more depth – it owns a space a bit more without being overly heavy.
IS WYTHE BLUE A GOOD EXTERIOR PAINT COLOR?
While Wythe Blue can be beautiful on a home’s exterior siding, it’s most popular on front doors – both inside and outside!
I know it’s blurry, but I’m grateful for any ‘after’ photos I get! Real homes, real people!
Here’s Wythe Blue on a beautiful exterior…
The Best Teal Paint Colors for Front Doors
Compare these two doors (above and below) and notice how Wythe Blue washes out when hit with very direct natural light.
Wythe Blue with Benjamin Moore White Dove and Sherwin Williams Knitting Needles
It’s great for those who want some color, but don’t want to be visually punched in the face with a shocking shade of teal.
WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO WYTHE BLUE?
Are you looking for a good alternative? Lighter, darker, grayer, more colorful? You KNOW I’ve got it.
WYTHE BLUE VS BENJAMIN MOORE PALLADIAN BLUE
This is a great comparison, as Wythe Blue and Palladian Blue are often fighting for the same painting project!
Depth-wise, Palladian Blue has an LRV of 60.4, which puts it in the light range. As you learned earlier, this range is more popular for the average room.
As for color, there isn’t a huge difference in commitment to blue vs green; it’s more that the overall color can appear a bit gentler, softer, airier, and fresher due to its lighter depth (higher LRV).
Benjamin Moore Palladian Blue: IMAGES, Info, & More
WYTHE BLUE VS STRATTON BLUE
If you look in Benjamin Moore Collections fan deck, you’ll find Stratton Blue right above Wythe Blue (and Palladian Blue right beneath it). This is one reason these two colors are often compared.
The other is that Stratton Blue really picks up what Wythe Blue is throwing down, but with more depth, thanks to its lower LRV of 37.77, making it a MEDIUM-DEPTH color and a good dose darker than Wythe.
If you prefer a softer, more muted approach, take a look at Benjamin Moore Imperial Gray and Gray Wisp. They’re still reasonably color-forward, but have a TON more gray.
Here’s Imperial Gray in action…
WHAT SHERWIN WILLIAMS COLORS ARE SIMILAR?
Sherwin Williams has an awesome alternative to Wythe Blue – Quietude.
Comparing depth, Quietude’s LRV of 48 makes it exactly the same as Wythe Blue. In fact, they might seem like the same paint color…but they aren’t.
Quietude seems bluer in this bedroom (likely caused by exposure)
Quietude has just a touch more gray than Wythe Blue. While it’s subtle, this shift can make it the perfect choice for your project if you’re worried about saturation (how strong a color is).
WHAT COLORS GO WITH WYTHE BLUE?
Oooo, there are some beauties. Of course, it depends on whether you need a color for an adjoining room, surrounding cabinets, etc, but these should get you started…
- A ton of warm off-white paint colors look great with Wythe Blue, especially if it’s the accent wall and you need something lighter and softer for the surrounding walls
- Wythe Blue looks beautiful in a palette with light green paint colors that have a similar degree of gray in them.
- Wythe Blue can be a pretty accent to some off-white and light-depth muted tan and beige paint colors.
- Check it out with any number of popular cream paint colors.
READ MORE
The Best Blue-Green Paint Colors
The Best WHOLE HOME Warm, Neutral Paint Colors
Get the best color advice…
