BM Hollingsworth Green vs SW Sea Salt: What’s the Difference?

When selecting a cool, versatile green paint color, popular picks across brands include Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green HC-141 and Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204. Both are sophisticated greens that work well throughout homes. But what exactly sets these two shades apart?

In this article, we’ll thoroughly compare Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt. We’ll analyze undertones, light reflectance, real life photos, and best room usages. Read on to determine which green is the right fit for your home’s interior design.

Table of Contents

Key Differences Between Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt

Before diving into the details, here is an overview of the main differences between Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt:

Undertones – Hollingsworth Green is bluer, Sea Salt is grayer
Light Reflectance – Hollingsworth Green has an LRV of 63.25, Sea Salt has an LRV of 63
Use – Hollingsworth Green for traditional spaces, Sea Salt for modern homes
Rooms – Hollingsworth Green excels in low-light rooms, Sea Salt fits any room
Availability – Hollingsworth Green comes in fewer finishes

Now let’s explore Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt more thoroughly.

Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green HC-141

With its rich jewel-tone color, Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green HC-141 creates a gorgeous formal backdrop in traditional homes. This versatile color has classic appeal.

Here are some key details about Hollingsworth Green:

LRV: 63.25
Undertones: Blue
Finish: Available in Pearl, Satin, Semi-gloss
Rooms: Dining rooms, studies, libraries
Pairs Well With: Golds, creams, whites

Hollingsworth Green is a deep green with distinctive blue undertones. In certain lights it can take on an almost teal-like essence. These cool undertones give the green an elegant and refined sensibility.

The 63.25 light reflectance value provides enough illumination to prevent the dark green from feeling too somber. Hollingsworth Green reflects just enough light to maintain vibrancy in a space without becoming overwhelming.

With its formal cool essence, Hollingsworth Green naturally complements traditional and transitional styles. Use it alongside equally sophisticated colors like cream, champagne, and navy. Ideal formal spaces include:

Dining room accent walls
Libraries, studies, offices
Entryway doors and built-ins
Master bedrooms and sitting rooms

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204

Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt SW 6204 is a sophisticated medium-toned gray-green with widespread appeal. This tranquil color works beautifully across design aesthetics.

Here are some details about Sea Salt:

LRV: 63
Undertones: Green-gray
Finish: Available in all paint sheens
Rooms: Whole home color
Pairs Well With: Grays, blues, tans

With its perfectly balanced green-gray undertone, Sea Salt reads as a versatile neutral green that works across styles. The 63 light reflectance value provides a nice balance of illumination and color depth.

Sea Salt has just enough gray influence to feel sophisticated without appearing dull or olive-toned. Its chameleon-like nature allows it to complement diverse color schemes and palettes.

Thanks to its adaptability, Sea Salt suits any room throughout homes of varying styles. Use it anywhere you want a tranquil green backdrop.

Comparing Hollingsworth Green vs Sea Salt

Now that we’ve examined Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt independently, let’s compare them directly:

Light Reflectance

Sea Salt has a higher LRV of 63 compared to Hollingsworth Green’s 63.25 LRV. This means Sea Salt reflects more light for a brighter appearance.

However, both reflect enough illumination for most rooms without feeling too dark or gloomy.

Undertones

Here is where the main difference lies. Hollingsworth Green has very cool blue undertones. Sea Salt is more of a green-gray.

Hollingsworth Green’s blue essence gives it a formal, elegant vibe. Sea Salt’s gray-green tone feels more relaxed and casual.

Rooms

With its cool regal undertone, Hollingsworth Green excels alongside darker, more intimate spaces needing vibrancy.

Sea Salt’s versatility allows it to adapt beautifully as an overall home color or accent wall in diverse rooms.

Availability

Hollingsworth Green comes in 3 finishes – pearl, satin and semi-gloss. Sea Salt offers the full spectrum from matte to glossy.

Hollingsworth Green vs Sea Salt Comparison Chart

Here is an overview of how Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt compare:

Paint Color	Hollingsworth Green HC-141	Sea Salt SW 6204
LRV	63.25	63
Undertones	Blue	Green-gray
Use	Traditional formal rooms	Diverse styles
Sheens	3 sheens	All sheens
Style	Traditional, transitional	Contemporary, modern

Real Life Photos – Hollingsworth Green vs Sea Salt

Let’s look at real life spaces painted in Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt to better see how they compare in actual environments.

Hollingsworth Green HC-141

Real Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green — Image Credit:@ michaeladams

Sea Salt SW 6204

The photos demonstrate how regal Hollingsworth Green typically appears richer and more blue compared to the relaxed green-gray Sea Salt. However, depending on light they can often look quite similar.

Should I Choose Hollingsworth Green or Sea Salt?

So how do you decide between Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green vs Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt for your space? Here are some helpful considerations:

Consider Hollingsworth Green HC-141 if you want:

A deep jewel-tone green with blue undertones
A formal and elegant paint color for traditional decor
A rich accent wall color that still reflects some light
A sophisticated color for selective darker spaces

Consider Sea Salt SW 6204 if you want:

A versatile green-gray that adapts across styles
Sherwin-Williams’ most popular sophisticated green
A laidback earthy green suitable for whole home use
Maximum color flexibility and utility

As always, get paint samples before deciding. View large swatches on walls in your actual lighting and with your decor. This gives you the best sense of which green you prefer before finalizing your choice.

While regal Hollingsworth Green shines in traditional homes, Sea Salt’s flexibility offers wider appeal across diverse aesthetics.

Ideal Room Pairings

While Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt work well throughout homes, here are some rooms best suited to their individual traits:

Hollingsworth Green HC-141

This rich green excels as an accent in more intimate formal spaces. Perfect Hollingsworth Green rooms include:

Dining room accent walls
Dark library or office spaces
Entryway doors and built-in cabinetry
Master bedrooms and sitting rooms

Sea Salt SW 6204

This soothing gray-green looks beautiful anywhere as an all-over color. Ideal Sea Salt rooms include:

Living rooms, bedrooms, and offices
Kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
Dining rooms, entryways, and hallways
Trim, doors, cabinets, and ceilings

Use jewel-tone Hollingsworth Green strategically in low-light formal areas. Let adaptable Sea Salt work its magic anywhere for a relaxing green backdrop.

Decorating Ideas and Color Pairings

On their own, Hollingsworth Green and Sea Salt create peaceful backdrops. Paired with other colors and textures you can design beautiful sophisticated spaces:

Hollingsworth Green HC-141 Ideas

Deep green accent wall against light cream living room
Jewel-toned green office with gold and white accents
Rich green velvet dining chairs around antique wood table
Glossy emerald green front door against neutral exterior

Sea Salt SW 6204 Ideas

Soothing gray-green shiplap accent wall in bedroom
Light green kitchen island contrasting crisp white cabinets
Weathered teal accent wall against relaxed gray-green living room
Sea Salt exterior siding with white trim and black windows

Color Pairings for Both

Crisp whites, soft blues, warm antique woods
Metallic finishes like brass, gold, and bronze
Black and white patterns and photography
Earth tones like tans, taupes, and sand

Keep walls green to let accent colors pop. Easily change accents seasonally for fresh new looks.

Hollingsworth Green vs Sea Salt – Which is Best For You?

So what’s better for your home – regal Benjamin Moore Hollingsworth Green or flexible Sherwin-Williams Sea Salt? The right choice depends on your goals:

Pick Hollingsworth Green HC-141 if you want:

A rich jewel-tone green with noticeable blue undertones
A formal and elegant traditional paint color
A sophisticated accent for selective darker spaces
Flexibility mainly across upscale traditional styles

Choose Sea Salt SW 6204 if you want:

A green-gray that adapts seamlessly across diverse aesthetics
Sherwin-Williams’ most popular sophisticated green
A laidback earthy green suitable for whole home use
Maximum color flexibility and utility

Get large in-home paint samples before deciding. While Sea Salt works in any design style, Hollingsworth Green shines in classically styled rooms seeking a touch of regal elegance.

Choose the green paint color that best complements your existing design, furniture, and interior style. Both create gorgeous, versatile backdrops.