Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist: One of the TOP Warm Gray Paint Colours
In an effort to cover EVERY beautiful paint colour in the world with my colour reviews, there are those that fall between the cracks. Why? Well, I rely 99.9% on photos from my E-Design clients for my paint reviews and sometimes I just don’t have enough (or quality) images to do a FULL review.
THANKFULLY, Balboa Mist isn’t one of those. While I wish I had a FEW more photos, I certainly have enough to give you a great low-down on this awesome paint colours. I’ll answer your questions re: LRV, undertones AND more – so let’s do this!
What type of paint colour is Balboa Mist?
Balboa Mist is a warm gray paint colour, but it’s not a SIMPLE gray paint colour – you have to watch its undertones as they can surprise you!
What’s the LRV of Balboa Mist?
Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67, so it’s FIRMLY planted in the light range. Not bordering on off-white, but not coming even CLOSE to the light-medium range. And while it’s a shade (literally) off of my MAGICAL LRV number, it still gives a great contrast with white trim.
Balboa Mist in the bathroom
What are the undertones of Balboa Mist?
Every gray has undertones, there’s no avoiding them, and Balboa Mist DEFINITELY favours a purple undertone.
Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a FEW reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- Samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on location
- At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing for traditional paint sampling
- If you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
What does Balboa Mist look like in a north-facing or south-facing light?
While I don’t have many photos for south-facing, I’ve got great ones for north-facing. You might find that in some south-facing light it can cast JUST slightly purple-pink as it warms up with those southern rays. In a north-facing room, or western morning or eastern afternoon, you may find that Balboa Mist leans back into that simple purple undertone with a beautiful passive warmth underneath.
You can see a bit more of that subtle warmth tucked inside of Balboa Mist in this next photo…
And again, that warmth is in this next photo as well…
Read more: North, East, South, West – Which Paint Colours is the Best?
What’s the best white paint colour for trim with Balboa Mist?
I lean towards a soft, not too creamy approach with a colour like Sherwin Williams Pure White. I also like Benjamin Moore Oxford White if you prefer to stay in brand.
Read more: The 8 Best White Paint Colours from Benjamin Moore
And I’ve got more! If Balboa Mist isn’t strikin’ your fancy, you can check out more paint colours in the READ MORE below.
Not sure if Balboa Mist works for you and your home?
Check out my Online Colour Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
READ MORE
Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Collingwood
Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Colours is the Best?
Is there a light greige or grey that you think has undertones firmly in the pinks rather than the purples? I mean subtle undertones, not really a pink colour. Thanks!
Do you think Balboa Mist would pair nicely with Accessible Beige?
Nooooope, not my fave combo. I think the purple undertone of Balboa could enhance Accessible’s VERY MINOR tendency to flash a bit green and they could feel off together 🙂
Do you have any suggestions for a nice soft color (with a lighter LRV to try and brighten the area) that would compliment Accessible Beige and help tone down the green undertone?
Balboa Mist and SW Gossamer Veil are almost identical on color swatches. 67 and 62
Hi Laurie (is this my Instagram Laurie??)! On a larger scale, you should see a pretty darned good shift. Both are warm grays that are TRYING to be greige. Balboa Mist though has a very soft, gentle warm purple undertone whereas Gossamer Veil VERY EASILY leans into green :).
Greetings. What color is on the walls of the bedroom with the teal chair and balboa mist in the bathroom? So pretty! Thanks, Dana
Hi Dana! That’s Collingwood as the lighter colour and BM Escarpment as the slightly darker feature gray colour 🙂
Thank you! I thought that was balboa mist in the lighter paint in the bathroom?
Hi Kylie,
Your website is incredible; I have learned so much from you over the last few days (and spent way too much time here!) I really want grey walls but based on what I learned from you- I need pink undertones and not blue or green due to existing floor, kitchen etc. I thought balboa mist was a good fit but it may be too light for my South/east facing room with a ton of natural light. Is there a gray with lower LRV and pink/purple undertones that you would recommend? Thank you so much!
Ooooo, do check out BM Collingwood, which you could even darken by 25% if you want a bit MORE depth. It is TOTALLY the same vibe as Balboa :).
Would you recommend Balboa Mist in a living room with mahogany wood trim?
Hi Jill, it can depend on the stain that’s on the mahogany, but as long as it has a subtle reddish to it, yes, it could be pretty!