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Mid-Century ModernSouth-Facing

Petro Blue

Behr · QE-47

The Analysis

Petro Blue is a deep, saturated teal-grey that absorbs significant light due to its low LRV of 8.61. It will make a room feel smaller and more intimate rather than bright, so use it to create a sense of enclosure.

This is a high-impact choice best suited for bold accents, such as a feature wall, cabinetry, or a moody study. It is too dark to serve as an effective main wall colour unless you are intentionally designing a 'black box' style space.

LRV 9

History & Origin

This is a thoroughly modern choice that draws from mid-century color palettes but updates them for contemporary tastes. It lacks the decorative flourishes of period-specific paint, functioning instead as a clean, structural backdrop.

Undertonecool
FamilyTeal

How to Use It

Pair this with warm-toned woods like walnut or light oak to balance its cool temperature. For hardware, matte black provides a sleek, monochromatic look, while unlacquered brass adds a necessary sharp contrast.

The Mood

Living with this colour creates a restful and serious atmosphere. Because it isn't overly vibrant, it provides a grounded, stable feeling that avoids the visual fatigue of brighter blues.

Colour harmonies

Complementary

Opposite on the colour wheel — bold, high-contrast pairings. Use for a feature wall or furniture you want to command attention.

Analogous

Neighbouring hues — cohesive and calm, great for layered schemes that feel collected rather than matched.

Split complementary

Near-opposites for strong contrast with a little less tension than a pure complement. A favourite of interior designers.

Triadic

Three evenly spaced hues — balanced, vibrant, and versatile. Keep one dominant and use the others sparingly.

Tetradic (square)

Four hues in a square on the wheel — rich, dynamic palettes. Best when one colour leads and the others accent.

Monochromatic

Dark, mid, and light steps on the same hue — a failsafe gradient for trim, walls, and accents without shifting colour family.

Brand Matches

Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.

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  • Ocean Abyss

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  • Perfect Storm

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  • Sea Holly

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  • Sodium Sky

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Lighting

See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.

  • Natural
  • Morning
  • Afternoon
  • Evening
  • Overcast
  • 2700K
  • 3500K
  • 4000K
  • 5500K