Benjamin Moore Stonington GrayHC-170 · #BAB9B0 · LRV 59

On paper Stonington Gray leans warm yellow, but with a saturation of only 7 percent it is essentially a near-neutral gray with the faintest warm cast. In practice that means it usually reads as a clean, soft gray rather than an obviously warm or obviously cool color. The warm thread mostly does one job: it stops the gray from tipping cold or blue.

Where the undertone shows up is in contrast and light. Next to a crisp bright white it can look slightly cooler and grayer. Next to beige or warm wood it borrows a little of that warmth and softens. In low or north light it can drift very slightly toward a greenish-gray, which is normal for a low-saturation neutral.

Test it against a pure white card and a warm white card side by side. That comparison exposes the lean far better than staring at the chip alone, and it tells you which trim white will keep the wall looking the way you want.

With an LRV of 59, Stonington Gray sits right in the middle of the range, so it bounces a fair amount of daylight without washing out or reading dark. That mid-light value makes it responsive to whatever light a room gets.

In north-facing rooms, where light is cooler and flatter, it looks grayer and can pick up a slightly cool or greenish edge, so keep an eye on it there. South-facing rooms flood it with warm light and pull its softer, warmer side forward, making it feel lighter and friendlier. East light reads cool and crisp in the morning, while west light warms it up in the afternoon.

Bulbs matter as much as windows. Warm white bulbs around 2700K nudge it toward its cozy side; cooler 3500K to 4000K bulbs sharpen the gray and can make it feel more modern or, in the wrong room, a touch sterile. Always judge a sample in the actual room across a full day.

At LRV 59 this is a versatile mid-light gray, which means it works as a whole-room wall color rather than only an accent. It is a strong choice for open-plan main floors, living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, and bathrooms because it holds its gray across connected spaces and different light.

It also performs well on kitchen and bath cabinets, where its soft gray reads current without the coldness of a bluer color. Paired with white counters or wood it keeps things calm. On trim you would usually go lighter, but Stonington Gray can work as a subtle contrast against brighter white walls.

Outside, it makes a clean, understated exterior body color, especially with crisp white trim and a darker door for contrast. Because it is not a deep statement color, save the drama for the door or shutters and let Stonington Gray be the steady backdrop.

For trim and ceilings, reach for a bright white with plenty of contrast against the LRV 59 walls. Chantilly Lace (OC-65), at LRV 92, gives the cleanest crisp edge, while White Dove (OC-17), at LRV 85, is a slightly softer white that leans a touch warm and flatters Stonington Gray's own warm thread.

For a layered neutral scheme, Edgecomb Gray (HC-173), at LRV 63, works as a warmer greige in adjoining rooms, and Wickham Gray (HC-171), at LRV 60, is a close sister for a near-tonal move. To add depth, Chelsea Gray (HC-168), at LRV 22, makes a strong cabinet or accent color, and Kendall Charcoal (HC-166), at LRV 13, grounds the palette on an island or a wall.

For a front door or a saturated accent, Hale Navy (HC-154), at LRV 6, gives classic contrast. Warm wood tones and either brushed nickel or matte black hardware all sit comfortably alongside it.

The most common cross-shop is Repose Gray (SW 7015), at LRV 58. The two are almost identical in lightness, but Repose reads as a slightly warmer greige while Stonington Gray stays a cleaner, cooler gray. Choose Stonington when you want the color to hold gray in bright light; choose Repose if you want a hint more warmth.

Within Benjamin Moore, Gray Owl (OC-52), at LRV 65, is the lighter, airier option that can flash a cool green or blue in some light. Stonington Gray is a touch deeper and more consistently gray, so it is the safer pick if you want less color shift.

Colored Coventry Gray (HC-169), at LRV 41, is the darker relative in the same family. Use it when you want noticeably more depth and contrast on walls or cabinets, and use Stonington Gray when you want the room to stay light and open.