Temptation
1609 · #54585C · LRV 11 — neutral with no strong undertone, dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs.
- 1Cyberspace6
- 2Temptation11
- 3Retreat21
- 4Dovetail26
What Color Is Temptation, Really?
Temptation reads as a neutral with no strong undertone — dark — high drama, needs strong daylight or warm bulbs. The notes below cover how Benjamin Moore 1609 behaves in different light and the closest matches at competing US brands.
Best Rooms and Uses for Temptation
Temptation works best as a feature — a single wall, built-ins, a study or dining room — rather than wrapping a whole bright space. Grays like this read as a modern neutral and sit comfortably alongside both warm woods and cool metals.
How Lighting Changes Temptation
With an LRV of 11, Temptation is a deep, dramatic shade. It soaks up light in north-facing rooms and looks richest where strong daylight hits it. Because it carries almost no measurable hue, it stays a true neutral and pairs cleanly with nearly any trim or floor. Warm artificial light softens it; cool LED can make it look flat, so match your bulbs to the mood you want.
Most complaints about Temptation 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 1609 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 | PeppercornSW 7674 · Sherwin-Williams | 2.9 | 10 | Color page → |
| Behr | Maximum GrayQE-62 · Behr | 2.2 | 9 | Color page → |
| Valspar | Coal Tipple8004-47F · Valspar | 4.5 | 9 | Color page → |
| PPG / Glidden | Black WidowPPG0997-7 · PPG / Glidden | 3.1 | 10 | Color page → |
| Glidden | Black WidowPPG0997-7 · Glidden | 3.0 | 10 | Color page → |
| Dutch Boy | Gravity435-7DB · Dutch Boy | 1.0 | 9 | Color page → |
Similar Benjamin Moore Colors
The nearest shades to Temptation 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 #54585C in HSL space. Pair Temptation with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
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