Portland Gray vs Van Courtland Blue
Both are Benjamin Moore colors. Hue-wise, Portland Gray belongs to the greige-grey family and Van Courtland Blue to the blue-grey family. At LRV 60 vs 31, Portland Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 29-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Portland Gray's red character against Van Courtland Blue's blue — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 23.5, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Portland Gray vs Van Courtland Blue in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Portland Gray and Van Courtland Blue in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Portland Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Van Courtland Blue would.
Color Details
Portland Gray vs Van Courtland Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Portland Gray 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 Portland Gray comparisons
See how Portland Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
