Oriental Iris
Benjamin Moore · 1418
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The Analysis
Oriental Iris is a soft, periwinkle-leaning blue-gray that acts as a mid-tone neutral. With an LRV of 51.11, it reflects a moderate amount of light, meaning it won’t make a dark room feel significantly brighter, but it won’t shrink a space either.
It functions best as a sophisticated main wall color in bedrooms or home offices. It is subtle enough to serve as a backdrop for art, yet distinct enough to prevent a room from feeling like a plain white box.
LRV 51History & Origin
This is a contemporary choice that leans into modern color trends rather than period-specific aesthetics. It offers a fresh, clean alternative to the traditional grays that dominated design over the last decade.
How to Use It
This shade pairs exceptionally well with light white oak wood tones and brushed brass hardware to balance the cool temperature of the paint. It works best in rooms with consistent lighting to prevent the blue undertones from shifting too sharply toward purple.
The Mood
Living with this color feels calm and grounded rather than stimulating. Because of its blue-purple undertones, it creates a restful atmosphere that is excellent for reducing visual clutter.
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.
Add harmony palette to a room
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Brand Matches
Perceptually similar colours from across all brands in our database.
Lighting
See how this colour shifts across natural and artificial light conditions.
- Natural
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
- Overcast
- 2700K
- 3500K
- 4000K
- 5500K