Brown Tar vs Van Courtland Blue
Brown Tar and Van Courtland Blue come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Hue-wise, Brown Tar belongs to the beige-greige family and Van Courtland Blue to the blue-grey family. The 21-point LRV gap — 31 for Van Courtland Blue vs 11 for Brown Tar — means Van Courtland Blue will open up a space more effectively. Where Brown Tar leans red, Van Courtland Blue reads blue — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 34.3 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Brown Tar vs Van Courtland Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Brown Tar on one side and Van Courtland Blue on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Brown Tar comparisons
See how Brown Tar stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
