Mid-Century ModernSouth-Facing

Ryegrass

Sherwin-Williams · SW6423

The Analysis

Ryegrass is a mid-toned olive green that anchors a room without overwhelming it. With an LRV of 39.91, it absorbs more light than it reflects, which creates a cozy, contained feeling rather than an airy or expansive one.

It functions best as a sophisticated main wall color in smaller rooms or as a high-impact accent wall in larger, brighter spaces. It acts as a neutral-adjacent tone, providing enough personality to stand out while remaining subtle enough to support various decor styles.

LRV 40

History & Origin

Ryegrass reflects the earthy, nature-inspired palettes common in mid-20th-century design. It bridges the gap between traditional heritage palettes and modern organic interiors.

Undertonewarm-green
FamilyGreen-Yellow

How to Use It

This shade excels in studies, dining rooms, or mudrooms where it pairs well with walnut wood tones and matte black hardware. If you have brass fixtures, the gold undertones in the metal will highlight the warmth in the green, creating a rich, cohesive look.

The Mood

This color feels grounded and steady, making it a great choice for spaces where you want to focus or relax. It leans toward a natural, earthy quality that feels stable rather than stimulating or high-energy.

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.

  • Fresh Artichoke

    Behr · M340-5

  • Mossy Cavern

    Behr · M350-5

  • Geek Chic

    Valspar · V095-1

  • Ivy Lane

    Benjamin Moore · 523

  • Greenhow Moss

    Benjamin Moore · CW-450

  • Brookside Moss

    Benjamin Moore · 2145-30

Lighting

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

  • Natural