Color spec
| Brand | Pratt & Lambert |
| Name | Williamsburg Stone |
| SKU | CW-25 |
| Hex | #A89E8A |
| RGB | 168, 158, 138 |
| HSL | 40°, 15%, 60% |
| LRV | 33 |
| Undertone | warm red-orange tone |
| Family | Neutral |
What Color Is Williamsburg Stone, Really?
Williamsburg Stone (CW-25) is a warm mid-tone taupe. On paper it sits at a hue of 40 with only about 15 percent saturation, which in plain terms means a soft tan-brown with a quiet gold warmth and just a whisper of red underneath. It is not a cool gray and not a pure brown. It reads as a settled, earthy neutral that has some color to it.
It comes out of the Colonial Williamsburg palette and has long been a Pratt & Lambert bestseller for historic and traditional homes, which is where its popularity comes from. The color feels aged and grounded rather than trendy.
With an LRV of 33 it lands in the medium range, so it holds its own as a real wall color instead of fading into off-white. It suits older homes, craftsman and colonial interiors, and anyone who wants a warm neutral with substance rather than a pale builder beige.
Williamsburg Stone leans warm. Its hue of 40 puts it in tan-gold territory, and while the fact file flags a red-orange tone, the low 15 percent saturation keeps that from ever going loud. In practice you get a taupe that is mostly soft brown with a golden cast and a faint rosy-brown warmth that only shows in strong direct light.
Because the saturation is modest but not below 10 percent, this is a near-neutral with a clear warm lean rather than a true chameleon gray. Next to a crisp white it will look distinctly earthy and a touch golden. Next to a warm cream it can read grayer and cooler by comparison.
Test it against a bright white card and a beige card at the same time. If it looks muddy against the beige, that is the warmth showing. Always judge it on the actual wall, not the chip, because that red-brown undertone strengthens as light drops.
Best Rooms and Uses for Williamsburg Stone
With a mid LRV of 33, Williamsburg Stone is versatile enough for full walls without turning a room dark, while still carrying enough depth to feel intentional. It suits living rooms, dining rooms, studies, and bedrooms where you want a warm, grounded envelope. In older and traditional homes it flatters wood trim, wainscoting, and antique furniture.
It also works well on cabinets and built-ins, especially in kitchens and libraries, where its earthiness reads as considered and calm rather than stark. On an accent wall it pairs naturally with lighter neutrals on the remaining walls.
Outside, it is a dependable warm-taupe body color for traditional exteriors, siding, and shingles, holding up against natural surroundings without looking flat. Because it is a mid-tone, reserve the very deep colors for the front door and trim contrast rather than expecting Williamsburg Stone itself to be the bold statement.
How Lighting Changes Williamsburg Stone
At an LRV of 33 this color reflects a moderate amount of light, so the room's exposure matters a lot. In north-facing rooms, which get cool indirect light all day, Williamsburg Stone deepens and its gray-brown side comes forward. It can feel heavier there, so it works best in north rooms you want to feel cozy rather than airy.
South-facing rooms get warm sun for much of the day, and that light pushes the gold and red-brown warmth, making the color glow and look richer. East light in the morning warms it, then it cools and flattens by afternoon. West rooms do the reverse, going honey-toned in the evening.
Bulbs matter too. Warm 2700K bulbs amplify the gold and can tip it toward tan. Cooler 3500K to 4000K bulbs mute the warmth and let more of the taupe-gray read. Sample both before you commit.
Most complaints about Williamsburg Stone 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.
TEST IT IN YOUR LIGHT →Williamsburg Stone vs Similar P&L Colors
Pratt & Lambert does not list a near-twin to Williamsburg Stone, but a few colors in its own palette sit close enough to weigh against it. Sterling (32-13), LRV 38, is a lighter, grayer taupe. It carries less gold and reads cooler and more contemporary, so choose it if Williamsburg Stone feels too warm or too dark for your light.
Sage (26-5), LRV 35, is roughly the same depth but tips green rather than red-brown. Where Williamsburg Stone feels earthy and traditional, Sage feels fresher and more botanical. Use Sage in rooms where you want a hint of color; use Williamsburg Stone where you want a true grounded neutral.
Tundra (32-6), LRV 56, is essentially a much lighter cousin. If you like the family but want the room to feel airier, Tundra keeps the warm-neutral character while bouncing far more light.
Colors That Go With Williamsburg Stone
For trim, Designer White (33-1) at an LRV of 89 gives the crispest contrast and lets the taupe read as a color rather than a smudge. If you want a softer, more period-correct edge, Antique White (1-1), LRV 78, keeps the warmth continuous.
For a lighter companion on adjacent walls or a ceiling, Tundra (32-6), LRV 56, is a warm pale neutral from the same family that steps up gently without clashing. Light Grey (32-12), LRV 58, does a similar job if you want a cooler counterpoint.
For accent, Williamsburg Wedgwood Blue (CW-30), LRV 28, is a historic companion that plays off the taupe beautifully. For a front door or deep contrast, Black Lacquer (32-2), LRV 3, or Brick Red (20-9), LRV 5, both anchor the scheme. Warm woods like oak and walnut and either brass or oil-rubbed bronze hardware all sit comfortably alongside it.
Need It From Another Brand?
Any paint counter can custom-tint Pratt & Lambert CW-25 directly — but if you would rather stay in one brand's own deck, these are the closest stock matches:
Coordinated palette
Generated by hue-rotating #A89E8A in HSL space. Pair Williamsburg Stone 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.
The Questions Everyone Asks
Is Williamsburg Stone warm or cool, and is it more gray or brown?
It is warm. With a hue of 40 and low saturation, Williamsburg Stone is mostly a soft tan-brown with a golden cast and a faint red-brown warmth. It is more brown than gray, reading as a true taupe rather than a cool greige. In dim or north light it can look grayer, but its base character is warm and earthy.
What trim white goes with Williamsburg Stone?
Designer White (33-1), with an LRV of 89, is the cleanest match and gives sharp contrast that makes the taupe read as a real color. If you prefer a softer, more traditional edge that keeps the warmth continuous, Antique White (1-1) at LRV 78 is a good alternative. Both are Pratt & Lambert colors that pair naturally with CW-25.
Does Williamsburg Stone work on cabinets and exteriors?
Yes. On cabinets and built-ins its earthy depth reads as calm and considered, which suits kitchens, libraries, and studies in traditional homes. Outdoors it is a dependable warm-taupe body color for siding and shingles, holding up against natural surroundings without looking flat. Pair it with a crisp white trim and a deep front door for definition.
What does an LRV of 33 mean for Williamsburg Stone in practice?
LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for pure white. At 33, Williamsburg Stone reflects a moderate amount, placing it firmly in the mid-tone range. That means it holds up as a genuine wall color without darkening a room, but it also shifts noticeably with the light, so test it in your actual space.
How is Williamsburg Stone different from Sherwin-Williams Studio Taupe?
They are very close warm taupes at nearly the same depth, with Studio Taupe (SW 7549) at LRV 34 versus Williamsburg Stone at 33. Studio Taupe reads a touch warmer and slightly pinker, while Williamsburg Stone stays a hair more golden-brown. In most rooms the difference is subtle, so choose based on which brand and undertone your samples confirm on the wall.
Should I sample Williamsburg Stone before painting?
Yes, always. Because its warm undertone strengthens in low light and its LRV of 33 makes it shift with exposure, a chip cannot predict how it will look on your walls. Paint a large swatch, or use a peel-and-stick sample, on more than one wall and check it in morning, afternoon, and evening light, and under your actual bulbs, before committing.
Will It Work in YOUR Room?
No page can promise how Williamsburg Stone behaves in your light. Upload a photo and see it on your own walls in seconds — before you spend a cent on samples.
TRY WILLIAMSBURG STONE ON YOUR ROOM →Ask a Question
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