Gesso
Gesso is a bright and airy paint color from Cloverdale Paint. Our real-world data shows it is a primary choice when homeowners need to maximize natural light while maintaining a clean, neutral backdrop. Below, you'll find 8 examples of this shade in actual homes along with suggested color relationships.
Hex
#EBE4D9
LRV
78.16
Gesso's Color Strip
Gesso is the second shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between White Tail and Bisque. The strip spans from White Tail at the lightest end to Sugar at the deepest. Strip Artisan3 puts these related shades in sequence, making it simple to find the tone that suits your room.
Gesso in Real Rooms
Gesso has a high LRV of 78.16 — it reflects a lot of light and will read pale and airy in most spaces.
1 Bathroom Photo
For bathrooms with limited natural light, Gesso provides a necessary "glow." It uses its subtle undertones to mimic the warmth of sunlight, preventing the space from feeling subterranean or overly dark, even in windowless layouts.
Gesso gives this bathroom a clean, considered finish.
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2 Bedroom Photos
For guest bedrooms, Gesso is a welcoming embrace. It's a universally appealing tone that feels clean and fresh for new arrivals, yet has enough "personality" to make their stay feel special and considered. It works across all seasons, feeling cool in summer and cozy in winter.
Gesso sets a calm, restful tone in this bedroom.
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Gesso in a spacious bedroom — see how the color behaves at scale.
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1 Dining Room Photo
Dining rooms are often the best place to take a "color risk." By choosing Gesso, you're opting for a shade that is saturated and confident, yet still refined enough to act as a neutral backdrop for colorful table linens and floral arrangements.
Gesso on the dining room walls — a color that makes evenings feel intentional.
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2 Misc Photos
More spaces painted in Gesso, shared by homeowners and designers across kitchens, hallways, dining rooms, and beyond. This collection shows how one color can take on a dozen different personalities depending on the room.
Gesso in a foyer — the first impression this color makes is a confident one.
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Gesso in a sun-filled room — how this color holds up in direct light.
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1 Kitchen Photo
Gesso in a kitchen reads differently from how it might anywhere else — the hard surfaces, task lighting, and constant activity give it more to work against, and it holds up beautifully. It doesn't compete with the colors of food or the texture of countertops; instead, it frames them with a professional finish.
Gesso on the kitchen walls — a backdrop that works without demanding attention.
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1 Living Room Photo
Few colors transition as gracefully from day to evening as Gesso. In natural light, it reads clean, grounded, and modern; by candlelight or lamp, it deepens into something much more soulful. For a living room that needs to function as a bright morning coffee spot and a moody evening lounge, that tonal range is an invaluable asset.
Gesso on the walls of this living room — warm, grounded, easy to live with.
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