Essex Green Benjamin Moore (HC-188): Color Review, LRV, and Best Pairings
Essex Green Benjamin Moore (HC-188) is a deep forest green so dark it often reads as black. It has an LRV of 5.64 and a HEX code of #27362E, and it belongs to the Historical Colors collection.
If you are weighing essex green benjamin moore for shutters, a front door, cabinets, or a moody room, this guide covers the verified color data, how it behaves in different light, what to pair it with, and where it works best.
What color is Benjamin Moore Essex Green?
Benjamin Moore Essex Green is a nearly black shade of green. Benjamin Moore describes it as a color that brings to mind historic estates overgrown with ivy, and it files the color under Green, in the Forest Green subfamily of the Historical Colors collection.
In practice, it looks like a very dark evergreen. In bright light the green comes through. In shade or low light it looks close to black.
| Detail | Essex Green |
|---|---|
| Color name and code | Essex Green, HC-188 |
| Collection | Historical Colors |
| Color family | Green (Forest Green) |
| HEX code | #27362E |
| RGB values | About 39, 54, 46 (converted from the HEX code) |
| Light Reflectance Value (LRV) | 5.64 |
| Value | Dark |
| Coordinating colors listed by Benjamin Moore | Powell Buff HC-35, Monterey White HC-27, Simply White OC-117, Overcast OC-43 |
Use the HEX and RGB values for digital mockups only. Dark colors are the hardest to judge on a screen, so rely on a physical sample.
Is Essex Green warm or cool?
Essex Green is a deep green that leans slightly cool. Benjamin Moore does not print an undertone label, but the HEX values show the color is green-dominant with a touch more blue than red.
Reviewers commonly describe a cool, blue-green base. That is why it feels crisp and traditional rather than warm and earthy.
Paint undertones you will actually see
On a small chip it looks black. On a large surface, you tend to notice three things:
- Green: the main character, strongest in direct sun and on glossy finishes.
- Blue: a cool edge that shows in daylight and on north-facing walls.
- Black: the dominant impression in shade, in the evening, or on flat finishes.
The practical takeaway is to treat essex green benjamin moore as a near-neutral dark green. It behaves like a soft black with a green personality.
What is the LRV of Essex Green?
The Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of Benjamin Moore Essex Green is 5.64. LRV runs from 0 (absorbs all light) to 100 (reflects all light), so 5.64 puts this color near the bottom of the scale. It absorbs almost all of the light that hits it.
That has real effects:
- It creates drama. Dark rooms feel enveloping and rich, especially libraries, studios, and powder rooms.
- It needs good lighting. A low LRV can make a small room with one window feel closed in.
- It absorbs heat outdoors. Dark exterior colors warm up in strong sun, so check the paint product is rated for dark exterior colors.
For comparison, a mid-tone sage green sits far higher on the scale and feels lighter and softer. A color with an LRV near 6 is closer to black than to most greens.
How lighting conditions change Essex Green
Lighting is the biggest reason two people describe essex green benjamin moore differently. Direction of light, bulb temperature, and sheen all move the color.
| Exposure | What to expect |
|---|---|
| North-facing | Deeper and cooler, often close to black |
| South-facing | The green shows more, especially in midday sun |
| East-facing | Soft green in the morning, darker later in the day |
| West-facing | Warmer and richer in the late afternoon |
Artificial light matters as well. Warm bulbs bring out the green and add richness. Cool white bulbs push it toward black. Layered lighting, such as lamps and sconces, keeps a dark room from feeling flat.
Sheen is the last piece. A semi-gloss or satin finish reflects more light and shows more green, while a flat finish looks deeper and closer to black.
Is Essex Green green or black?
It is green, but a green that depends on light. Essex Green has a clear green base in the formula, so it appears green in daylight and on glossy finishes, and black in shade and low light.
If you want a green that always reads green, choose a mid-depth forest green. If you want a soft black alternative with a hint of color, essex green benjamin moore is a strong fit.
Essex Green vs similar dark green paint colors
If you are not sure Benjamin Moore Essex Green is the right dark green, sample it beside these neighbors. If you want a lighter, muted gray-green instead, Dried Thyme is a gentler choice.
Essex Green vs Hunter Green
Hunter Green is brighter and reads more openly green, even in shade. Essex Green is darker and more subdued, so it feels more formal and less colorful.
Essex Green vs Black Forest Green
Black Forest Green is darker and more charcoal. Essex Green shows its green sooner when light hits it.
Essex Green vs black
Black is a flat void, while Essex Green has depth and a hint of life. It is a good choice if black feels too harsh on a front door or in a study.
What color goes best with Essex Green?
Creamy whites, warm neutrals, brass, and natural wood go best with essex green benjamin moore. These colors add warmth and keep the dark green from feeling heavy.
Benjamin Moore lists four coordinating colors on its own page: Powell Buff, Monterey White, Simply White, and Overcast.
| Pairing type | Good options | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Trim and whites | Simply White, White Dove, Monterey White | Soft contrast that keeps the look classic |
| Crisp white | Chantilly Lace | Cleaner, more modern contrast |
| Warm neutrals | Powell Buff, warm greige | Ground the green and add warmth |
| Cool neutral | Overcast | Gentle contrast with a quiet gray tone |
| Metals | Brass, aged bronze | Warm metals echo the depth of the green |
| Natural materials | White oak, walnut, leather, linen | Add texture and warmth |
Best white trim with Essex Green
Simply White gives a clean, balanced contrast, and White Dove is a softer, slightly warmer option. Chantilly Lace is crisper and suits modern homes. Avoid yellowish creams unless you want a vintage look. Pearly White is a softer, warmer white if you want less contrast.
Metals and hardware
Brass and aged bronze make the green feel rich and traditional. Chrome and polished nickel give a cooler, more modern look, but they can feel stark against such a dark color.
Furniture, textiles, and decor
Camel leather, cream linen, and warm wood tones all look good. Add a patterned rug or a light plaster-look finish in neighboring rooms so the dark color has something to play against.
Does Essex Green go with wood and other finishes?
Yes. Dark green is one of the easier colors to pair with wood, because it acts like a rich neutral. On the walls around it, a warm greige such as Neutral Ground keeps the dark green from feeling heavy.
| Finish | What works with Essex Green |
|---|---|
| White oak and light wood | Brightens the look and adds contrast |
| Walnut and dark wood | Moody, library-style richness |
| Brass hardware | Warm glow against the dark green |
| White marble or quartz | Crisp contrast on cabinets and bathrooms |
| Brick and stone | Works well when the stone has warm tones |
Interior paint applications: where Essex Green works best
Essex Green is best where you want depth and drama and have enough light to support it.
Libraries, studios, and home offices
These rooms benefit from a dark, enveloping color. Add warm lamps and wood shelving to keep it cozy.
Kitchen cabinets and built-ins
Essex Green Benjamin Moore makes a sophisticated cabinet color, especially on an island or a lower run of cabinets. Pair it with brass hardware and white or marble counters.
Powder rooms and bathrooms
Small rooms can take a dark color well because they feel intimate rather than cramped. Use a satin or semi-gloss finish for moisture resistance.
Dining rooms and bedrooms
A dark green dining room feels elegant in evening light. In a bedroom, it creates a calm, cocooning mood, as long as there is warm lighting and light bedding.
Is Essex Green a good exterior paint color?
Yes, as an accent. Benjamin Moore tags Essex Green for exterior use, and it works especially well on shutters, front doors, and garage doors against white, cream, or pale gray siding.
As a body color it is bold. A dark color absorbs heat, so use a paint rated for dark exterior colors and test a large sample on the siding. On a small cottage it can look striking with bright trim.
Front door and shutters
A deep green door reads as classic and confident. Brass hardware and white trim bring out the best in it.
Body color with light trim
For a full-house look, pair it with crisp white trim and a warm stone or brick base. Check your roof and any existing masonry first, since cool undertones can clash with strongly orange brick.
Exterior pairings: shutters, brick, and stone with Essex Green
Essex Green is a deep green that works best as an accent outside, such as shutters, a front door, or window trim. These are common starting points.
| Exterior element | Pairing idea | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Shutters and doors | Essex Green against white, cream, or light gray siding | Strong contrast makes the dark green look crisp and classic |
| Red or brown brick | Essex Green on the door and shutters | A deep green door is a traditional pairing with brick |
| Stone | Gray or cream stone | Light stone lifts the dark green and keeps it from looking heavy |
| Trim | Simply White or White Dove | Soft whites keep the look classic without harsh contrast |
With an LRV of about 5.6, Essex Green can look nearly black in shade. Dark colors also absorb heat, so use an exterior-rated paint and check the color in morning sun, afternoon sun, and shade.
Sheen, availability, and paint samples
The sheen you choose changes the look and the upkeep of essex green benjamin moore.
| Sheen | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Flat | Ceilings and low-traffic walls | Deepest look, shows scuffs |
| Eggshell | Interior walls | Soft glow and easy to touch up |
| Satin | Siding, cabinets, bathrooms | Good balance of durability and depth |
| Semi-gloss | Doors, shutters, trim | Most durable, shows the most green |
Where to buy it
Essex Green is sold by Benjamin Moore at its retail partners. Confirm the product line and finish, because exterior and interior paints are formulated differently.
How to test paint samples
Dark colors change a lot between chip and wall, so a large sample matters.
- Get a sample of Essex Green and one or two similar dark greens.
- Paint a large patch, at least two feet square, on the actual surface.
- Check it in the morning, afternoon, and evening, and under your bulbs.
- Hold it beside your trim, flooring, and fabrics.
- Wait until the sample is fully dry before judging it.
Who will love Essex Green, and when to skip it
Essex Green Benjamin Moore suits people who want a rich, traditional dark color with more depth than black.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Elegant, timeless, and dramatic | Can feel heavy in small or dark rooms |
| Works with brass, wood, and cream | Looks almost black in shade |
| Pairs well with white trim and warm metals | Shows dust and scuffs on flat finishes |
| Strong accent for exteriors | Absorbs heat on large exterior surfaces |
When to skip it
- Windowless or very dim rooms: a dark color makes them feel smaller.
- Hot, sun-heavy exteriors: use it as an accent rather than a full body color.
- Homes where you want a clearly green look: a mid-tone forest green may suit you better.
What is the Sherwin-Williams or Behr equivalent of Essex Green?
There is no exact twin of Benjamin Moore Essex Green, but a few very deep greens come close.
| Brand | Closest match | How it compares |
|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Roycroft Bottle Green (SW 2847) | Another very deep green at about LRV 4.6, with a slightly different undertone |
| Behr | Trellised Ivy (PPF-54) | Listed as a close match to the Essex Green HEX value in one database |
| Behr | Black Evergreen | Called the closest Behr option by one reviewer, though not as deep |
No paint brand publishes official cross-brand equivalents. These matches come from color-comparison tools that line up HEX values and LRV, so treat them as starting points and always check a physical sample in the brand you plan to buy.
Quick decision guide: is Essex Green right for your project?
| Your situation | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Shutters or a front door on a white or cream house | Yes | Strong contrast with a classic look |
| Library, study, or powder room | Yes | A dark, enveloping color suits small, moody rooms |
| Kitchen island or lower cabinets | Yes | Pairs well with brass and white counters |
| Windowless or very dim room | Skip | An LRV of 5.64 absorbs nearly all light |
| Full body color in a hot, sunny climate | Test first | Dark colors absorb heat, so check the product rating |
| You want a green that reads green all day | Skip | A mid-tone forest green will stay greener in shade |
Common mistakes with Essex Green
- Judging it from a chip. A small chip reads as black, so test a large patch on the real surface.
- Ignoring sheen. Semi-gloss shows more green and flat looks closer to black.
- Assuming one product fits everywhere. Confirm the exact product line is rated for the surface and for dark exterior colors.
Final verdict: is Essex Green the right dark green?
Choose essex green benjamin moore if you want a deep, near-black green with an LRV of 5.64 and enough history in its look to suit shutters, front doors, cabinets, and moody rooms. Choose a mid-tone green if you want the color to read as green all day.
Whichever way you lean, test a large sample in your own light before you buy. Dark colors change more than light ones, and a sample is the cheapest way to avoid repainting.
FAQs about essex green benjamin moore
Is Essex Green green or black?
It is a very dark green. It looks green in daylight and on glossy finishes, and near black in shade and low light.
What is the HEX code for Essex Green?
The HEX code is #27362E, which converts to roughly 39, 54, 46 in RGB. Use it for mockups and confirm with a physical sample.
What is the LRV of Benjamin Moore Essex Green?
The LRV is 5.64, which places it in the dark range and means it absorbs almost all light.
Is Essex Green a good front door color?
Yes. It is a classic choice against white, cream, or pale gray siding, especially with brass hardware.
What white trim goes with Essex Green?
Simply White gives a balanced contrast. White Dove is softer and warmer, and Chantilly Lace is crisper.
Is Essex Green a good kitchen cabinet color?
Yes, especially on an island or lower cabinets. Pair it with brass hardware and white or marble counters, and use a satin finish for durability.
What collection is Essex Green in?
It is part of the Benjamin Moore Historical Colors collection, listed in the Green family under Forest Green.
