Edgecomb Gray (Baby Fawn): The BEST taupe or greige paint color!
When looking for that elusive ‘perfect neutral paint color’ we often focus on a gray or beige – with a strong preference for one or the other. However, with trends shifting warmer, there’s something to be said for a color that’s sandwiched between the warm and cool worlds – a color like BM Edgecomb Gray. This fab shade is undoubtedly one of my top 10 neutral paint colors and one that I refer to ALL THE TIME in my Online Paint Color Consulting.
Why? Let’s take a look…
By the way, if you’ve been asking yourself whether Edgecomb Gray and Baby Fawn are the same color – they are.
Is Edgecomb Gray warm or cool? Gray, beige or greige?
Edgecomb Gray Hc-173 (also known as Baby Fawn OC-15) is a WARM neutral paint color tucked sitting smack-dab in the middle of warm gray and beige. This makes Edgecomb Gray a greige or taupe paint color (depending on your perception). Edgecomb Gray is perfect for a soft, warm, organic look that’s VERY versatile when it comes to partnering up with other colors.
If you have north-facing light, you can expect Edgecomb Gray to lean a wink more into its gray base. It will lean a touch warmer in south-facing or warm afternoon western sunshine, even looking slightly beige.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
What’s the LRV of Edgecomb Gray?
The LRV of Edgecomb Gray is 63. This means that Edgecomb Gray isn’t a typical light and fresh color but is certainly lighter than some other popular greige and taupe paint colors.
Is Edgecomb too dark for a dark hallway or room? It can be. Because Edgecomb Gray is neutral, without enough light to support it, it can look a touch dingy in dark rooms, hallways, and basements. On the other hand, with an LRV of 63, Edgecomb Gray holds up well to considerably bright rooms without washing out as some colors in the higher LRV ranges can.
While the trim in the above photo is just a wink too creamy for Edgecomb Gray, my clients weren’t wanting to paint their trim. Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got, and luckily, we squeezed Edgecomb Gray in! However, in most cases, Edgecomb Gray is too muted and soft for cream cabinets – they will clash with each other (read more here about how to partner paint colors with cream cabinets and trim).
Not sure what LRV (Light Reflectance Value) is? Read here…The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Paint Color: LRV
What are Edgecomb Gray’s undertones?
Most greiges pick up a green undertone, whereas taupes favor violet-pink. However, Edgecomb Gray is one of THE MOST NEUTRAL greige/taupe paint colors with minimal undertones. This means it can shift how it looks depending on its surroundings and the perception of who’s looking at it.
Will Edgecomb Gray look green or pink?
While many experts say Edgecomb Gray has a green undertone, as explained above, it’s just as likely to pick up a wink o’ pink. BUT DON’T BE SCARED! Again, Edgecomb Gray has the LEAST undertone of its kind and is a great color to consider for your walls, cabinets, or exterior.
BTW, thank you to my E-Design clients who send in their after photos!
Will Edgecomb Gray look gray or beige?
As a wall color, whether Edgecomb will look gray or beige depends on the room and your perception. Edgecomb Gray sits in the MIDDLE of gray and beige, which means it can shift its allegiance depending on its environment. For example, Edgecomb Gray can look a bit grayer in a north-facing room without losing its warmth – meaning it won’t act like a traditional gray (at all).
On the other hand, put Edgecomb Gray in a south-facing room, which will lean into its beige base without looking like a traditional beige. This is one of the many reasons Edgecomb Gray is a flexible paint color for many rooms; because it IS so non-committal.
If you’re worried about Edgecomb Gray looking too beige or warm, grab a sample of Benjamin Moore Manchester Tan, as it could help you see how lovely and balanced Edgecomb Gray is!
V1 Real Estate Photography with Kylie M.
If you’re sampling Edgecomb Gray and are seeing a strong undertone, this could be due to a few reasons…
- Your light bulbs.
- Your exposure, especially afternoon western sunshine.
- You have a lot of green nearby. Green and red (the origin of pink) are opposite, so they enhance each other. And while Edgecomb Gray doesn’t cater to much pink, put it next to something super green, and it could SEEM like it does.
- You have cream nearby (i.e. your existing paint color) or white trim that’s warmer than average. Colors will ENHANCE each other, and any yellow could make Edgecomb Gray look SURPRISINGLY pink in comparison.
Is Edgecomb Gray the lighter version of Revere Pewter?
Nope, they’re different colors. Just because colors sit above or below each other on a color strip doesn’t mean they’re directly related. They can be SIMILAR but can easily have different undertones. It’s like when people see my redheaded friend and me walking together; they assume we’re related because we look similar and are walking close to each other (and are so darn cute, wink wink). Long story short, we’re not related, and neither is Edgecomb Gray and Revere Pewter.
BENJAMIN MOORE EDGECOMB GRAY
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
What’s the lighter version of Edgecomb Gray?
There is no technical ‘lighter version’ of Edgecomb Gray. While Benjamin Moore’s Winds Breath is equally as non-committal regarding undertones, it can look creamier than Edgecomb Gray. Your best shot at a lighter version of Edgecomb Gray is to ask your paint store technician to make a sample pot 25-50% lighter. The undertones CAN shift when lightening a color (especially at 50%), but at least you’re working with similar bones.
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Edgecomb Gray In Different Lighting…
In a well-lit space, you can expect Edgecomb Gray to look lighter and brighter as the natural light bounces off (as any color will when it’s given light). This will create a low-contrast look with white trim. However, in a room with AVERAGE lighting (below), Edgecomb settles at its very best…
If you have a SUPER bright room or wall, you can expect Edgecomb Gray to wash out A LOT, but the color/contrast will come back once that direct light softens.
On the other hand, if you have a dark or low-light space, you’ll see Edgecomb Gray lean that bit darker. It can also look a bit warmer in doing so.
In this next photo, look at how Edgecomb Gray looks on the lower parts of the staircase vs the higher parts…
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Edgecomb Gray and Benjamin Moore White Dove take this transitional/traditional style entryway and staircase to the next level…
Notice how well it complements the taupe carpet and wood flooring, setting a neutral stage for the rest of the home to play off of.
Edgecomb Gray Lightened…
In my MAD quest for the perfect paint color for my home, I decided to play around with Edgecomb Gray and lightened it by 75%. This is NOT for the faint of heart! While lightening a color by 25% is a subtle shift, 50% results in a VERY noticeable change, and 75%, well, it’s a whole different ball game. MOST people find Edgecomb at 50% a bit easier to manage…
See the before and after photos HERE
The pure MAGIC of this color is that the undertones shift throughout the day, and I’ve yet to see a version of it that I don’t love, day or night!
At 75% lighter, Edgecomb Gray is definitely in the off-white range, as shown below. In the upper hallway, it’s easier to see the contrast with the trim (and all of the love notes I have on my daughter’s doors).
Let’s also look at Edgecomb Gray, lightened by 25% in my client’s hallway…
Is Edgecomb Gray still popular?
When it comes to popularity, Edgecomb Gray is definitely near the top of the list for a variety of surfaces…
EDGECOMB GRAY ON KITCHEN CABINETS
Edgecomb Gray could be a good choice for cabinets if it suits the backsplash and countertop it’s partnered with. The tricky thing is that Edgecomb Gray often looks a bit LIGHTER and WARMER than expected on cabinets. Sample carefully!
The Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets
EDGECOMB GRAY ON WALLS
Edgecomb Gray is a HUGELY popular choice for walls, something I don’t see changing any time soon. With warmer trends, you can expect more colors like Edgecomb Gray to show up at the party.
The big reasons why Edgecomb Gray is such a great color is because of it’s subtle undertone and moderate LRV. These two things make it a great go-to, especially for homeowners who are new to the painting world and unsure what will work – Edgecomb Gray is a great place to start!
Is Edgecomb Gray a popular exterior paint color?
Edgecomb Gray can be a beautiful exterior paint color if it suits the stone/brick/roof it’s paired with. However, just as with cabinets, expect it to look LIGHTER and WARMER than expected – even a touch creamy at times!
5 Easy Steps to Picking Your Exterior Paint Colors
Here’s Edgecomb Gray on a front door with a gorgeous brick exterior…
The Best Front Door Paint Colors
What’s the best white trim color for Edgecomb Gray?
Regarding Edgecomb Gray, I’m partial to two Benjamin Moore whites – Benjamin Moore White Dove and Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace. White Dove is a slightly softer approach, whereas Chantilly Lace offers a clean contrast. If you have a bright room, the increased contrast with Chantilly Lace could help you see the color on the walls more when it’s most washed out.
Before, this entryway looked heavy and drab with its gold-inspired walls…
After, Edgecomb Gray (with Sherwin Williams Pure White trim) adds a fresher, brighter face to this beautiful home…
What paint colors are similar to Edgecomb Gray?
I have a lot of clients who LOVE Edgecomb Gray but want it in Sherwin William’s paint – no such luck, Chuck. Every paint color has nuances based on the foundation it’s built with – different paint companies use different foundations. This doesn’t mean you can’t get the same color, but you can’t even get a perfect color match.
HOWEVER, some colors pick up what Edgecomb Gray is throwing down regarding INTENTIONS (being a flexible, warm neutral), just with a little twist.
- Benjamin Moore Winds Breath
- Sherwin Williams Natural Tan
- Sherwin Williams Egret White
Sherwin Williams Egret White
WHAT PAINT COLORS GO WITH EDGECOMB GRAY?
If you want colors that look good in a palette with Edgecomb, check out these ideas…
- subtle and muted warm off-white paint colors
- grays that are slightly darker with a blue, green or blue-green undertone
- greige paint colors that are darker than Edgecomb Gray (at least 10 LRV points darker is a good place to start).
WHAT ACCENT COLORS GO WITH EDGECOMB GRAY?
Edgecomb Gray is a great partner to SO many gorgeous shades, including…
- mid-toned blue-green-gray blends
- considerably darker grays with a green undertone
- colors like Sherwin Williams Grizzle Gray, Benjamin Moore Ashwood Moss, and other dark shades of green.
PROS & CONS SUMMARY OF EDGECOMB GRAY
While the above blog post gives you the FULL details on this top-selling neutral from Benjamin Moore, let’s hit the basics…
- Edgecomb has very little commitment to undertone, making it quite flexible.
- Because of this lack of commitment, if your finishes lean considerably pink, it could look a touch green (minor) in comparison.
- On the other hand, if your finishes lean greener, it could look a wink pink in comparison (minor) – this happens with colors with minimal undertone allegiance.
- Edgecomb Gray’s LRV of 63 makes it a great depth for the walls in a room with an average (or more) amount of light.
- If your room is dark or low-light, Edgecomb Gray can look a bit dingy.
- Look great with a wide range of wood stains and finishes, including cabinets, trims, and floors.
- Suits the average slightly bright or slightly warm white paint color for trims and cabinets.
- Is a great color for resale as it has a ton of mass appeal.
READ MORE
The 12 Best ‘Whole Home’ Gray and Greige Paint Colors
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Taupe of the Morning
Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Gray Mist & Fog Mist
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
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UPDATED IN 2022
Love this color! I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect gray paint color for my home and Edgecomb Gray from Benjamin Moore is definitely it. The way you’ve described it, with its soft warm undertones and ability to complement a variety of design styles, has me convinced. Can’t wait to give it a try in my own home. 😍
Author
WAHOOO! I love to hear this and would love to see photos of it all done, too!
Hi Kylie, I love your blog so much and have found it incredibly helpful during my home building journey. I’m reposting my comment from a prior Edgecombe thread as it seems to have disappeared. What are your thoughts on using Edgecombe Grey trim/doors with 75% lightened Edgecombe Grey walls for a mountain cabin to give it a more cozy feel? I currently have 75% lightened in my home and I love it! Would you recommend a darker trim (such as revere pewter) for more contrast or would the subtle contrast between the different Edgecombe shades look okay? Thanks so much!
Author
Hi Carly! Oooo, I mean, I love lightening and darkening colors, but when lightened that much EG does pick up more pink. I actually had it in our home for a while (75% lighter) with White Dove trim and REvere Pewter doors (25% darker). The 75% is really tough. What about using a 25-50% lighter EG on everything? Or 50% lighter on walls/trims with Revere Pewter on the doors?
I thought I was settled on our repaint using Agreeable Gray, but NOW after reading about Edgecomb Gray, I changed my mind! The trim and cabinet color in my new finished kitchen is already SW Extra White, Kylie will this work? Or should I change the REST of the rooms (keeping the kitchen the same) to SW Pure White??? Thanks a million!
Author
Hey Samantha, I see no problem with Extra White and Edgecomb Gray! Good switch too. I mean, I love Agreeable, but Edgecomb is softer, lighter and has a more flexible base to work with 🙂
Fantastic, thanks again!
Love your style. Could I use White Duck cabinets with Edgecomb gray walls. Looking for a creamy white cabinet color. Quarts counter is white with beige/grey veining.
I have watched so many of your color reviews and binge read your blogs. You have so much talent and I love your style!! I read your comment that 75% lightened EG can appear pink. Also that with limited natural light areas can be a bit dark/dull/muddy. You elicited to the impact a west facing window can create but didn’t clarify? I have west facing windows in living room… low light kitchen and halls. I’m trying to determine what strength EG to use with Chantilly Lace trim and Revere Pewter kitchen cabinets and interior doors. I see you mentioned WindsBreath as a lighter color. Does it pair well with RP and Chantilly Lace? I’m trying to go beige or taupe without pink or yellow…. And not too much gray. Kylie…. I’ve been looking for months since I first discovered your pics of yours with the RP Door, EG wall and Stairway. Your combinations are literally perfection.
Author
Hey Ginger! I do LOVE my EG, but I can’t speak to exactly how the 75% lighter could look in west-facing light. However, I do like Aesthetic White with Revere PEwter, although I might darken RP by 25% to see a bit more contrast 🙂