HeritageSouth-Facing

English Ochre

Benjamin Moore · CW-290

The Analysis

English Ochre is a grounded, saturated tone that pulls a room inward, making large spaces feel more intimate and cozy. With an LRV of 25.96, it absorbs a significant amount of light rather than reflecting it, so it will darken a room rather than brighten it.

Because of its depth, this shade acts best as a bold accent wall or a saturated choice for small, dedicated spaces like a study or a powder room. Using it on all four walls in a larger living area creates a dramatic, cocoon-like atmosphere.

LRV 26

History & Origin

This tone is a quintessential choice for heritage and traditional interiors, echoing the pigmented earth tones found in period-accurate restoration projects. It bridges the gap between historic authenticity and modern, earthy design trends.

Undertonewarm
FamilyYellow

How to Use It

Pair this with natural walnut or dark oak wood tones and matte black hardware to emphasize its earthy quality. It looks particularly sophisticated in low-light rooms where the depth of the color can lean into its moody, rich undertones.

The Mood

This color provides a stable, earthy energy that feels reliable and warm. It is best suited for rooms where you want to relax or concentrate, as it lacks the high-contrast stimulation of brighter, cooler tones.

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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    Colourtrend

  • Butter Rum

    Behr · PPU4-3

  • Tigereye

    Sherwin-Williams · SW6362

  • Chai Spice

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  • Teak

    Benjamin Moore · ES-30

Lighting

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

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