Color spec
| Brand | Dutch Boy |
| Name | Allegory |
| SKU | 401-2DB |
| Hex | #C9B0AB |
| RGB | 201, 176, 171 |
| HSL | 10°, 22%, 73% |
| LRV | 46 |
| Undertone | warm red tone |
| Family | Pink |
About Dutch Boy Allegory
Allegory sits in the mid-range at LRV 46, so it shifts visibly through the day — lighter and more open in morning light, deeper and moodier after dark. 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. South-facing rooms will pull it lighter and warmer, while north light cools it down.
Allegory is versatile enough for full rooms but has enough depth to anchor a space, so it suits living rooms, bedrooms and cabinetry alike. Soft pinks flatter bedrooms and nurseries; deeper ones make a confident statement.
Closest matches by brand
12 brands within ΔE 5The closest matches per brand by ΔE2000, computed against each brand's full deck. Only colors within ΔE 5 (close enough to substitute on a wall) are shown — brands with no real match are left off. Tap any swatch for its full single-color spec; tap the brand title to browse all pink from that brand.
Sherwin-Williams
Behr
Benjamin Moore
Valspar
PPG / Glidden
Glidden
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams
Dunn-Edwards
Magnolia Home
Farrow & Ball
Diamond Vogel
Rodda
Similar Dutch Boy colors
closest in the Dutch Boy deckThe nearest shades to Allegory within Dutch Boy's own range, ranked by perceptual color distance — useful when you want the same look a touch lighter, darker, or warmer.
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #C9B0AB in HSL space. Pair Allegory with one accent and one neutral — the swatches below are starting points, not final picks.
Accessibility (WCAG contrast)
WCAG 2.1: AA = 4.5:1 normal text · AA Large = 3:1 large text · AAA = 7:1 normal text.
Dutch Boy Allegory Equivalents at Other Brands
Matching Allegory from a different paint counter? Below is the single closest color in each major US deck and how close it really is. Remember that any paint store can also custom-tint Dutch Boy 401-2DB directly — these equivalents are for when you'd rather stay inside one brand's own deck.
Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Allegory
The closest Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Allegory is Insightful Rose (SW 6023). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 46). If Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Insightful Rose and you'll get the same color. See the full Insightful Rose swatch →
Behr Equivalent of Allegory
Behr's nearest match is Vintage Tea Rose (HDC-CT-07A), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.03). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 47 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone, so it substitutes for Allegory without repainting risk. See the full Vintage Tea Rose swatch →
Benjamin Moore Equivalent of Allegory
At Benjamin Moore, the closest color to Allegory is Rose Bisque (2102-50) — very close at ΔE 2.31, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly darker (LRV 44 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Rose Bisque swatch →
Valspar Equivalent of Allegory
Valspar's nearest match is Lovebug (1005-10B), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1). It sits at the same lightness (LRV 45 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone, so it substitutes for Allegory without repainting risk. See the full Lovebug swatch →
PPG / Glidden Equivalent of Allegory
At PPG / Glidden, the closest color to Allegory is Velveteen Crush (PPG1060-4) — very close at ΔE 2.24, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 45 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Velveteen Crush swatch →
Glidden Equivalent of Allegory
At Glidden, the closest color to Allegory is Velveteen Crush (PPG1060-4) — very close at ΔE 2.41, though not an exact twin. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Velveteen Crush swatch →
HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams Equivalent of Allegory
The closest HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams equivalent of Allegory is Sweetened Plum (HGSW 3016). At ΔE 0 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red undertone and sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 46). If HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams is your counter, order Sweetened Plum and you'll get the same color. See the full Sweetened Plum swatch →
Dunn-Edwards Equivalent of Allegory
Dunn-Edwards's nearest match is Dusty Trail (DE6052), visually identical in normal room light (ΔE 1.12). It runs slightly darker (LRV 44 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone, so it substitutes for Allegory without repainting risk. See the full Dusty Trail swatch →
Magnolia Home Equivalent of Allegory
Magnolia Home has no exact twin of Allegory. The nearest is Rosy Pink (JG-154) at ΔE 4.88 — close, but the difference shows next to trim and in side light. It sits at the same lightness (LRV 46 vs 46). Compare large swatches before substituting. See the full Rosy Pink swatch →
Farrow & Ball Equivalent of Allegory
At Farrow & Ball, the closest color to Allegory is Pink Drab (NO. 207) — very close at ΔE 2.04, though not an exact twin. It runs slightly lighter (LRV 49 vs 46) and carries a warm red undertone; sample both side by side if the room gets strong natural light. See the full Pink Drab swatch →
Diamond Vogel Equivalent of Allegory
Diamond Vogel doesn't make a true equivalent of Allegory — the nearest deck color, Oak Plank (0148), is clearly different (ΔE 5). For an exact match, any Diamond Vogel retailer can custom-tint Dutch Boy 401-2DB instead. See the full Oak Plank swatch →
Rodda Equivalent of Allegory
The closest Rodda equivalent of Allegory is Kind Kiss (R122). At ΔE 0.83 the two are indistinguishable on a wall — it carries the same warm red undertone and runs slightly lighter (LRV 48 vs 46). If Rodda is your counter, order Kind Kiss and you'll get the same color. See the full Kind Kiss swatch →