Posted on September 20, 2019 by KylieMawdsley
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? Is it warm or cool?
Balboa Mist is a warm gray paint colour, bordering on greige. If you have north-facing light, Balboa Mist can lean that bit grayer. However, with south-facing or warm afternoon western light, Balboa Mist can lean more into its the greige warmth hiding in it.
What’s the LRV of Balboa Mist?
Balboa Mist has an LRV of 67, so it’s FIRMLY planted in the light range. It’s not bordering on off-white, but it definitely doesn’t come even CLOSE to the light-medium range. And while it’s a shade (literally) off 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 light, you may find 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?
When it comes to partnering Balboa Mist up with a white colour for trims, ceilings and doors, I lean towards…
- Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace for a simple clean contrast
- I also like Benjamin Moore Oxford White for a slightly softer approach
Read more: The 8 Best White Paint Colours from Benjamin Moore
Would Balboa Mist be a good paint colour for the exterior of my home?
Balboa Mist is lovely, but there are several other colours doing a similar thing…but better. I think it’s just a bit too passive – not committing to off-white, but not strong enough to hold up to decent natural light.
What Sherwin Williams paint colours are the same as or similar to Balboa Mist?
Every paint colour has its own subtle nuances and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths, but for a similar approach, you could check out…
- Sherwin Williams Egret White
- Sherwin Williams City Loft
And I’ve got more! If Balboa Mist isn’t strikin’ your fancy, check out these other wicked paint colours…
BENJAMIN MOORE CLASSIC GRAY
Read more: Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
BENJAMIN MOORE PALE OAK
Read more: Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Pale Oak
NEED HELP?
Check out my Online Colour Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
READ MORE
Paint Colour Review: Benjamin Moore Collingwood
Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Colours is the Best?
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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?
Author
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
Author
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
Author
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!
Author
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?
Author
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!
Does Chantilly lace trim work with balboa mist?
Author
You betcha!
How about white dove? I placed my sampilize with it and it looked pretty good. I’m trying to keep the trims consistent throughout my home and I’m using mostly white dove, so thought I would try it with balboa mist in our media room. Thanks!
I LOVE your website. I spend hours here lately! We are painting our master bedroom Balboa Mist. It’s a south and west facing room with small windows and not a ton of natural light. I’m also repainting our bedroom furniture. Is there a gray color you would recommend for the furniture?
Author
Oooo yes, check out BM Escarpment!
Your website is so helpful and so addicting!! I painted my kitchen balboa mist, thanks to your help. 🙂 it’s the perfect light, crisp color and I love the lavender undertones that come out in the evening. I’m trying to decide on a slightly darker version for an adjoining room and much darker but same family color for a living room. Any suggestions?
Thanks so much for all the helpful information!!! Trying to decide between collingwood and balboa mist. I have a ton of natural light and artificial light. Which do u think?
Author
Oooo, that’s a TOUGH one. With a ton of light, I’d naturally lean into Collingwood with its bit more depth. I mean, both will washout in a lot of light, but Balboa will MORE. 🙂
Thank you for suggesting Balboa Mist as a wall color to tone down orange-y oak cabinets. I repainted my kitchen and this color complements the oak, without accentuating it. It’s neutral and beautiful!
Author
I SO love to hear this – thank YOU for the comment!
I used balboa mist in my sunny kitchen with natural cherry cabinets and trim and it basically looks white. No depth to it at all. I have prominent grey/blue veining quartzite with warm taupe background, charcoal backsplash and cherry shaker cabinets. Any suggestions to replace balboa mist with a color with more bite?
Author
Ahhhh yes, colours with higher LRV’s can wash out. To get a bit more HOLD you might have to jump into the likes of SW Versatile Gray/Requisite Gray :). If you don’t know about LRV, I have an AWESOME blog post on it to check out, it can be very helpful! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/paint-colours-and-lrv-the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-right-colour/
Do you know the stain color of the floor in the entry/Stair picture? My cabinets will be finished in Balboa Mist in a VERY light South West Kitchen. I have Red oak floors I’m staining and while the bleached nordic floor is so in now I’m afraid of the red oak pulling pink or red. Any suggestions for stain colors? I’m leaning to either Special Walnut or provincial.
Do you think Balboa Mist will go well together with October Mist?
Author
Personally, I would bump up lighter to Classic Gray 🙂
If using Balboa mist on walls, would BM Graphite be a good contrast for an accent wall. This would be in a open kitchen/dining area with Honey Oak cabinets and trim.
Hi Kylie,
Would Balboa Mist walls pair nicely with SW Pure White trim and cabinets?
Thanks!
Author
You bet it would, Tim!