You know how everyone seems to reach for Hale Navy the second they want a "sophisticated" room? It's basically the default setting for anyone trying to look like they've hired a designer. But honestly, it can feel a little... expected. If you're looking for something that has that same weight but feels way more curated, you've gotta look at Benjamin Moore Brush Blue.
It is one of those colors that feels like a secret.
Part of the Williamsburg Paint Color Collection, Brush Blue (CW-675) isn't just some modern trend. It's actually based on an 18th-century color found by researchers on the second floor of the Brush-Everard House in Colonial Williamsburg. It’s dense. It’s dramatic. And it has this weird, beautiful way of looking like a blue-black shadow one minute and a deep, tealy-indigo the next.
The Technical Stuff: What Is Brush Blue, Really?
If we're getting technical, Benjamin Moore Brush Blue is a heavy hitter. It has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of about 9.76. In paint world, that is dark. For context, pure black is 0 and pure white is 100. So, this color is going to absorb a lot of light. It’s not a "light and airy" vibe. It’s a "wrap you in a velvet blanket" vibe.
People often mistake it for a standard navy, but it’s actually a blue-black.
📖 Related: Why Transparent Plus Size Models Are Changing How We Actually Shop
Most navies have a very distinct "blue" identity that stays blue even in low light. Brush Blue is moodier. Because it’s part of the Williamsburg collection, the pigments used are often a bit more complex than your standard "Color Preview" palette. It has a certain grit and depth to it that makes modern "pure" colors look a little flat by comparison.
Where Most People Get It Wrong
The biggest mistake you can make with a color like this is thinking you can just slap it on all four walls of a small room with one tiny window and call it a day.
Unless you want to live in a cave. Which, hey, maybe you do. I’m not judging.
But if you want it to look like a Pinterest board, you need contrast. Brush Blue needs something to play off of. If you don't have enough light or enough light-colored furniture, the walls will just look black. You lose the "blue" part of the name entirely. You’ve basically paid for a fancy historic blue and ended up with a $80-a-gallon version of charcoal.
👉 See also: Weather Forecast Calumet MI: What Most People Get Wrong About Keweenaw Winters
Lighting Changes Everything
In a north-facing room, Brush Blue is going to look incredibly cold and dark. The blue-black tones will dominate. In a south-facing room with tons of afternoon sun, you’ll actually see those hidden teal-ish, indigo undertones start to glow. It’s like a different paint color depending on the time of day.
Using Benjamin Moore Brush Blue in Your Home
So, where does this actually work?
- The Moody Office: This is the ultimate "I have a library and drink scotch" color. If you have built-in bookshelves, painting them and the walls in a satin or semi-gloss Brush Blue creates this incredible seamless look.
- Kitchen Islands: If you have white or light oak cabinets, a Brush Blue island is a total showstopper. It’s more interesting than black but more grounded than a bright royal blue.
- The Front Door: Want your house to look expensive? Paint the front door in this color with brass hardware. Seriously. It’s an instant upgrade.
- The "Jewel Box" Powder Room: Since powder rooms are usually small anyway, why not lean into the drama? Go full floor-to-ceiling with this color. Add a gold-framed mirror and some warm sconce lighting. It’ll feel like a high-end hotel.
Better Pairings Than Just "White"
White trim is the obvious choice, but it can sometimes look a bit too "patriotic" or high-contrast (like a sailor suit). If you want something more modern, try pairing Benjamin Moore Brush Blue with Steam (AF-15) or Harwood Putty (CW-5). These are softer, creamier whites that take the edge off the darkness.
If you're feeling brave, Pashmina (AF-100) is a muddy greige that looks phenomenal next to it. It brings out the warmth in the blue rather than making it feel icy.
✨ Don't miss: January 14, 2026: Why This Wednesday Actually Matters More Than You Think
Brush Blue vs. The Competition
How does it stack up against the legends?
- Hale Navy (HC-154): Hale Navy is more of a "true" navy. It’s safer. It’s also slightly lighter (LRV of 8.36, which is actually darker, but the tone feels more "blue"). Brush Blue feels older, more historic, and has more black in it.
- Van Deusen Blue (HC-156): This is much bluer and more "denim" than Brush Blue. If you want a color that stays blue even in the dark, go Van Deusen.
- Gentleman’s Gray (2062-20): This one leans much further into the teal/green world. Brush Blue is the choice if you want to stay in the blue-black lane.
Real Talk: The Finishing Touches
When you're working with a color this dark, your sheen matters a lot. A flat finish will look like velvet, but it’ll show every single fingerprint or scuff. If you have kids or a dog that likes to lean against walls, you’ll regret flat paint in five minutes.
Eggshell is the sweet spot for most living areas. It gives you just enough of a sheen to reflect a little light—helping you actually see the blue—without being shiny.
If you're doing trim or cabinetry, go for a Satin or Semi-Gloss. The way light hits the edges of trim in Benjamin Moore Brush Blue is honestly one of the most satisfying things in interior design. It defines the architecture of the room in a way that light colors just can't.
Actionable Next Steps
- Order a peel-and-stick sample: Don't just look at the tiny paper chip. Get a Samplize or a small pot of paint and put it on multiple walls.
- Check it at 8 PM: This color dies in the dark. If you don't like how it looks under your LED or incandescent bulbs at night, you won't like the room.
- Commit to the hardware: If you choose this color, you almost have to upgrade your hardware to unlacquered brass or polished nickel. Black hardware will get lost, and cheap chrome will look too clinical.
- Prime properly: You cannot put this over a white wall in one coat. You’ll need a gray-tinted primer or you’ll be doing four coats of expensive paint just to get it even.
Brush Blue is a commitment, but it’s the kind of risk that pays off with a home that looks like it has a history, even if it was built three years ago.