Benjamin Moore offers hundreds of gorgeous grays, but two perennial favorites are Balboa Mist OC-27 and Revere Pewter HC-172. At first glance, these two neutral grays may seem very similar. But upon closer inspection, noticeable differences emerge.
In this article, we’ll compare Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter in detail. We’ll analyze undertones, light reflectance, real-life photos, and ideal room applications. Read on to find out whether cool Balboa Mist or warm Revere Pewter is the best Benjamin Moore gray for your home and design style.
Table of Contents
Key Differences Between Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter
Before diving into the nuances, here are the main differences between Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter:
- Undertones – Balboa Mist has subtle cool gray undertones, Revere Pewter has warm brown-gray undertones
- Light Reflectance – Balboa Mist has an LRV of 65.53, Revere Pewter has an LRV of 55.05
- Usage – Balboa Mist flatters modern cool color schemes, Revere Pewter suits traditional warm palettes
- Rooms – Balboa Mist ideal for contemporary homes, Revere Pewter perfect for traditional cottages
Now let’s explore Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter more closely.
Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27
With its pale taupe-gray appearance, Balboa Mist OC-27 creates a gorgeous neutral backdrop in any home. This versatile color has broad appeal.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore’s Balboa Mist:
- LRV: 65.53
- Undertones: Subtle cool grays
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Whole home color, especially living rooms and bedrooms
- Pairings: Grays, blues, greens
Balboa Mist is a light gray-beige with subtle cool undertones. This chameleon-like paint color shifts appearances based on light exposure and surroundings.
In some lights, the soft gray comes forward presenting as a pale ethereal gray. At other times, beige warmth is more prominent giving a taupe appearance. The overall effect is a color that straddles the line between cool and warm neutral.
With a 65.53 light reflectance value, Balboa Mist provides enough illumination to keep rooms feeling open and airy. The cooler gray influence prevents the color from feeling too warm or dingy.
The versatility and adaptability of Balboa Mist is one of its greatest strengths. This tranquil color pairs effortlessly with both cool and warm accents. Especially popular combinations include:
- Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl
- Benjamin Moore October Mist
- Benjamin Moore Mountain Road
Use Balboa Mist to create serene, livable spaces. This lovely neutral backdrop helps rooms feel soothing and refined. It works in any area but is especially suited to:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Offices
- Hallways
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter HC-172
With its light gray-brown appearance, Revere Pewter HC-172 creates a warm, welcoming backdrop. This greige gray has enormous popularity.
Here are some key details about Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter:
- LRV: 55.05
- Undertones: Subtle warm grays
- Finish: Available in all paint sheens
- Rooms: Any room in the home
- Pairings: All colors
Revere Pewter is a light-medium gray with faint hints of brown or greige. In most lighting it appears as a true gray. But its subtle tan influence gives it more versatility than many cooler grays.
With a 55.05 light reflectance value, Revere Pewter supplies decent illumination for a soft gray. The barely noticeable warmth allows it to complement diverse color schemes and styles. Popular pairings include:
- Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
- Benjamin Moore Simply White
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray
Thanks to its subtle greige warmth, Revere Pewter works well throughout the home. Its versatility makes it an ideal backdrop to comfortably envelope any space. Use it in:
- Living rooms
- Dining rooms
- Bedrooms
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Offices
Comparing Balboa Mist vs. Revere Pewter
Now that we’ve examined their unique traits, let’s directly compare Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter:
Light Reflectance
With an LRV of 65.53, Balboa Mist reflects much more light than Revere Pewter at 55.05 LRV. Balboa Mist will make spaces feel brighter and more open.
Undertones
This is a key distinction between these two grays. Balboa Mist has subtle hints of cool gray, while Revere Pewter has faint warm tan-gray undertones.
The coolness of Balboa Mist gives it an airy, ethereal effect. Revere Pewter’s subtle warmth feels welcoming and grounded.
Usage
Balboa Mist works well for serene modern spaces seeking a soft, bright neutral. Revere Pewter’s slight warmth adapts perfectly as a whole home neutral with a traditional lean.
Paint Finish
Both Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter come in any sheen from flat to high-gloss. They allow for beautiful sophisticated finishes.
Balboa Mist vs Revere Pewter Comparison Chart
Here is an overview of how Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter compare:
| Paint Color | Balboa Mist OC-27 | Revere Pewter HC-172 |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 65.53 | 55.05 |
| Undertones | Subtle cool grays | Faint warm tan grays |
| Usage | Modern, contemporary spaces | Traditional, versatile neutral |
| Sheen | Any finish | Any finish |
| Style | Airy, ethereal | Grounded, welcoming |
Real Photos: Balboa Mist vs Revere Pewter
To better visualize the differences, here are real photos of Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter:
Balboa Mist
Revere Pewter
As shown, Revere Pewter generally appears a bit warmer and more brown-toned, while Balboa Mist comes across as cooler and more gray. But lighting can really change their appearance.
Should I Choose Balboa Mist or Revere Pewter?
So how do you decide between Balboa Mist vs Revere Pewter for your home? Here are some helpful tips:
Choose Balboa Mist if you want:
- A light taupe-gray neutral
- Subtle cool gray undertones
- A brighter, more airy backdrop
- A versatile color for modern homes
Choose Revere Pewter if you want:
- A greige with faint warm tan-gray undertones
- A welcoming, enveloping traditional feel
- A softly illuminated versatile neutral
- A cozy color for cottages or older homes
As with any close paint decision, get samples and test colors on walls before deciding. Lighting can really impact these versatile grays.
Either way, you’ll end up with a gorgeous, peaceful backdrop for any room.
Ideal Room Pairings
Here are rooms well-suited to showcasing Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter:
Balboa Mist OC-27
- Modern living rooms
- Contemporary bedrooms
- Dining rooms
- Modern bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Hallways
Revere Pewter HC-172
- Traditional living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Craftsman kitchens
- Offices
- Entryways
- Cottages
While flexible enough for any space, Balboa Mist excels in contemporary environments and Revere Pewter shines in cozy cottages or older homes.
Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings
Balboa Mist and Revere Pewter create peaceful backdrops. Pair them with these colors:
Balboa Mist Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore White Dove (white)
- Benjamin Moore October Mist (green)
- Benjamin Moore Gray Owl (gray)
- Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green (green)
Revere Pewter Color Pairings
- Benjamin Moore Simply White (white)
- Benjamin Moore Hale Navy (blue)
- Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray (greige)
- Benjamin Moore Essex Green (olive green)
Varying undertones of accent colors provides nice contrast against these neutral backdrops.
Balboa Mist vs Revere Pewter: Which is Best for Your Home?
So which Benjamin Moore gray works best in your home – cool Balboa Mist or warm Revere Pewter? Consider the following:
Choose Balboa Mist if you want:
- A light taupe-gray with subtle cool undertones
- A brighter, more airy backdrop
- A tranquil and refined feel
- A versatile neutral for modern styles
Choose Revere Pewter if you want:
- A greige with faint tan-gray warmth
- A softly enveloping traditional ambiance
- A cozy cottage or farmhouse feel
- Subtle warmth that complements any color
While similar, Balboa Mist generally offers more illumination, while Revere Pewter provides cozy greige warmth. Test them in your space before deciding! Either one makes a gorgeous neutral backdrop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still trying to decide between Balboa Mist vs Revere Pewter? Here are some helpful answers:
Does Revere Pewter have brown in it?
Revere Pewter is predominantly a gray but it does have very subtle warm undertones with hints of light brown or greige that come through depending on the lighting.
What colors look good with Balboa Mist?
Cool accent colors like grays, blues and greens look beautiful against Balboa Mist. But its adaptability also allows it to work with warm neutrals, black and wood tones.
Can I use Revere Pewter in a bathroom?
Absolutely! With its softly enveloping greige warmth, Revere Pewter works wonderfully in bathrooms. It provides a relaxing, spa-like ambiance.
Is Balboa Mist suitable for bedrooms?
Yes, Balboa Mist is a gorgeous bedroom color. Its cool and tranquil taupe-gray tone creates the perfect relaxing retreat. Add some warmth with textiles.
Does Revere Pewter brighten a room?
Somewhat. With a 55.05 LRV, Revere Pewter does reflect decent light. But the warmer Balboa Mist will brighten a space more than the enveloping Revere Pewter.
