Calico Blue
We've categorized Calico Blue as a genuinely dark Green because of its unique LRV profile. We have documented it across our network because it can anchor a room without demanding the spotlight so effectively. Explore our collection of 4 room photos to see how it looks alongside coordinating accent choices.
Hex
#4A5950
LRV
9.30
Calico Blue in Real Rooms
Calico Blue has a low LRV of 9.3 — it absorbs light and reads as a genuinely dark, enveloping color. It's neutral in temperature, making it adaptable across different lighting conditions and room orientations. Grouped in the Green family, the photos below show it applied in a living room, bedroom and misc.
1 Living Room Photo
The beauty of Calico Blue in a living room lies in its versatility with textures. It provides a smooth, matte-like quality that contrasts beautifully against plush velvet sofas or chunky wool rugs. It's a color that invites you to stay a little longer, creating an atmosphere that feels established rather than just decorated.
Living room walls in Calico Blue create a sophisticated backdrop.
@kay.kibs
1 Bedroom Photo
To use Calico Blue in a bedroom is to lean into the concept of "soft minimalism." It provides enough visual interest that you don't need a lot of wall decor; the color itself becomes the art. This allows for a clutter-free environment that is essential for mental clarity at the end of the day.
Bedroom walls painted Calico Blue encourage peaceful sleep.
@designyyz
2 Misc Photos
Observe the use of Calico Blue on architectural "oddities"—slanted ceilings, built-in nooks, or under-stair closets. The color helps these strange angles feel like deliberate design features rather than construction afterthoughts.
Dresser painted Calico Blue becomes a striking focal point.
@refinishedelegancebylisa
Furniture piece in Calico Blue adds color and character.
@refinishedelegancebylisa
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 87 vs 9, White Heron is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 66 vs 9, Thornton Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Man on the Moon reflects far more light (LRV 81 vs 9), opening up a space where Calico Blue encloses it.
Mountain Peak White reflects far more light (LRV 89 vs 9), opening up a space where Calico Blue encloses it.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 10 and 9, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 11 and 9, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 9 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Complementary Colors
With LRVs of 9 and 7, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Aplomb reads slightly lighter (LRV 21 vs 9), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Calico Blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 9 vs 5), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Lazy Afternoon reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 9), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 11 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 76 vs 9, Raspberry Ice is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (9 vs 6) makes Calico Blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Lighter Colors
A 7-point LRV gap (16 vs 9) makes Caldwell Green the marginally brighter of the two.
Gothic Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 16 vs 9), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.