Audubon Russet
HC-51 · #AE6B55 · LRV 21 — warm red tone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Turkish Coffee5
- 2Porpoise13
- 3Audubon Russet21
- 4Redend Point30
What Color Is Audubon Russet, Really?
Audubon Russet reads as a warm red tone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore HC-51 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Audubon Russet
Audubon Russet works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Browns ground a room and pair naturally with leather, wood and warm metals.
How Lighting Changes Audubon Russet
With an LRV of 21, Audubon Russet is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Its red undertone is the part to watch: it gets picked up by whatever sits next to it, so test it against your trim, floor and the room's main light before committing. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Audubon Russet are a light mismatch. Upload a photo of your actual room and see it on your walls — then ask for the same wall in north light or evening lamps before you buy a single sample.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Benjamin Moore HC-51 directly. If you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches, measured as ΔE2000. Under 2 is a difference you will not see on the wall.
| Brand | Closest color | ΔE | LRV | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherwin-Williams | Cavern ClaySW 7701 · Sherwin-Williams | 1.0 | 20 | Color page → |
| Behr | Orange FlambeMQ1-28 · Behr | 2.5 | 21 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Pajarito Red2001-7B · Valspar | 3.1 | 19.3 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Copper BeechPPG1067-5 · PPG / Glidden | 2.0 | 22 | Color page → |
| Glidden | AmarettoPPG1066-6 · Glidden | 3.0 | 21 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Aged Clay305-5DB · Dutch Boy | 4.6 | 21 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Audubon Russet within Benjamin Moore's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
WCAG 2.1: AA is 4.5 : 1 for normal text, 3 : 1 for large text, AAA is 7 : 1.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #AE6B55 in HSL space. Pair Audubon Russet with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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