Powell Buff vs Obsidian Green
Where Powell Buff belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Obsidian Green is a Little Greene color. Powell Buff reads as beige, while Obsidian Green reads as green — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Powell Buff (LRV 59) reflects noticeably more light than Obsidian Green (LRV 1), a difference of 58 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Powell Buff runs red while Obsidian Green is decidedly green, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 74.4, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Powell Buff vs Obsidian Green in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Powell Buff and Obsidian Green in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Powell Buff reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Obsidian Green.
Color Details
Powell Buff vs Obsidian Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Powell Buff on one side and Obsidian Green 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 Powell Buff comparisons
See how Powell Buff stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
