Santa Monica Blue vs Straw
Both from Benjamin Moore's palette. Santa Monica Blue reads as blue, while Straw reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Straw (LRV 70) reflects noticeably more light than Santa Monica Blue (LRV 16), a difference of 54 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Santa Monica Blue runs blue while Straw is decidedly red, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 66.9, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Santa Monica Blue vs Straw Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Santa Monica Blue on one side and Straw 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 Santa Monica Blue comparisons
See how Santa Monica Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
