Tempest
Benjamin Moore · AF-590
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The Analysis
Tempest is a moody, mid-tone grey with strong violet undertones that creates a dense, cocooning atmosphere. Because it has a low LRV of 18.6, it absorbs significant light, which will make a room feel smaller and more intimate rather than bright or airy.
This shade works best as a bold, immersive choice for a feature wall or a dedicated space like a home office or den. It is too heavy for a main wall colour in small, windowless rooms, but excels at adding weight and character to larger, well-lit spaces.
LRV 19History & Origin
Tempest leans into a modern, tailored aesthetic rather than a period look. Its cool, sophisticated tone aligns with contemporary design trends that favor depth and personality over neutral 'greige' minimalism.
How to Use It
Pair this colour with warm wood tones like walnut to balance the coolness of the violet undertone. For hardware, matte black provides a seamless, monochromatic look, while brushed brass adds a necessary high-contrast pop.
The Mood
Living with this colour feels grounding and remarkably restful due to its muted, shadowy quality. It lacks the harshness of pure black, offering a stable and sophisticated backdrop that helps the mind settle after a long day.
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
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