You’ve seen it on Pinterest. That deep, muddy, impossibly chic green that looks like a library in a 19th-century English manor. It’s gorgeous. But then you look at the swatch in the hardware store and panic sets in. Is it too dark? Is it basically black? Will my living room feel like a literal cave?
We are talking about Benjamin Moore Sussex Green (HC-109).
Honestly, it’s a polarizing color. It isn’t a "safe" sage or a "friendly" mint. It’s a heavyweight. Part of the Historical Collection—which Benjamin Moore launched back in 1976 for the Bicentennial—this shade is designed to look like it has been there for a hundred years. It’s got gravity.
What Is This Color, Really?
If you want the technical specs, the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Sussex Green is roughly 19.5.
In plain English? It’s dark. For context, a pure white is 100, and a "dark" color usually sits below 25. At 19.5, it’s absorbing a lot of light. It’s an olive green at its core, but it’s heavily "muddied" with brown and gray.
Some people call it a forest green. They’re wrong. Forest greens usually have a punchy, blue-ish undertone. Sussex Green is firmly in the camp of warm, earthy olives. It’s the color of moss on a damp rock or a vintage military jacket.
The Undertone Trap
The biggest mistake people make with Benjamin Moore Sussex Green is ignoring the sun.
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In a room with North-facing light (which is cool and bluish), Sussex Green can look quite cold and almost charcoal. The green gets suppressed. But in a South-facing room with that warm, golden afternoon glow? The yellow and brown undertones wake up. It becomes lush. It feels alive.
You’ve got to test this one. Don't just slap it on.
I’ve seen it look like a sophisticated, moody neutral in one house and like "baby poop" in another. That sounds harsh, but it’s the reality of high-pigment, muddy greens. The brown in the formula is what gives it that "historical" feel, but it’s also what makes it tricky.
Where Does It Actually Work?
Most designers will tell you to put this in a "jewel box" room. Small spaces.
The Moody Office or Library
This is the classic choice. If you have built-in bookshelves, painting them and the walls the same shade of Sussex Green—a technique called color drenching—is a total vibe. It creates this cocoon effect. It’s the kind of room where you want to drink scotch and read something leather-bound.
Kitchen Cabinets
Forget white kitchens for a second. Deep olive cabinets with unlacquered brass hardware? It’s a killer look. Sussex Green provides enough contrast against marble or light quartz to feel modern, but the brown undertones keep it from feeling too "trendy."
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Exterior Accents
If you have a white or cream-colored house, Benjamin Moore Sussex Green is a top-tier choice for shutters and front doors. It feels established. It doesn't scream "I just repainted," it whispers "I’ve always looked this expensive."
Comparison: Sussex Green vs. The Rivals
People often confuse this with Saybrook Sage or Tate Olive.
- Saybrook Sage (HC-114): This is Sussex Green’s younger, happier sister. It’s much lighter and has more silver/gray. It’s safe.
- Tate Olive (HC-112): This is closer, but it has more yellow. It feels more "citrusy" in the sun, whereas Sussex stays grounded and earthy.
- Army Green (2141-30): This one is punchier. It feels more like a primary color compared to the complex, historical sootiness of Sussex.
Pairing It Without Making It Look Drab
You can't pair this with just anything. If you put it with a cold, blue-white like Benjamin Moore Paper White, the whole room will feel "off."
Go for creamy whites. White Dove (OC-17) is the gold standard here. The warmth in White Dove bridges the gap to the brown in the green.
For accents? Think "earth."
- Leather: Cognac or camel-colored leather looks incredible against this green.
- Wood: Medium to dark wood tones—walnut is perfect.
- Metals: Brass or copper. Avoid chrome or polished nickel; it’s too cold.
- Pop of Color: If you’re feeling bold, a dusty terracotta or a muted mustard yellow works.
The "Cave" Fear
If you’re worried about the room being too dark, don't just paint one accent wall.
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Accent walls with dark colors like Sussex Green often look like an afterthought. They "shorten" the room visually. If you’re going to use a color with an LRV this low, go all in. Paint the trim. Paint the doors. Use a matte finish on the walls to soak up the light and a satin finish on the trim to give it a little definition.
It sounds counterintuitive, but dark colors in small, dark rooms actually make the corners "disappear," which can make the space feel infinite rather than cramped.
What You Should Do Next
If you’re staring at a swatch of Benjamin Moore Sussex Green right now, stop.
Go get a Samplize peel-and-stick sheet. Seriously. Or a small pot of the actual paint. Move it around the room at 10:00 AM, 3:00 PM, and 8:00 PM. Notice how the green "dies" when the sun goes down and how it reacts to your lamps. If it turns into a color you still love at night, you’ve found your winner.
Check your flooring too. If you have very red-toned cherry floors, the green might make the wood look even redder (complementary colors on the wheel). Just something to keep in mind before you buy five gallons of the stuff.