My Honest Review of Duxbury Gray by Benjamin Moore (HC-163)

Looking for a sophisticated blue-green gray paint color with depth and moodiness? Today, I’m sharing my honest review of Benjamin Moore’s Duxbury Gray HC-163 and how this historic color looks in real life.

While I am a neutral girl at heart, certain spaces call for something a little more unexpected… a color-drenched moment to break up the monotony of the quieter spaces.

When it came time to makeover my powder room on a budget, I knew paint was going to be my moment (especially since there wasn’t much room in the budget for statement tile or wallpaper).

greenish grey paint color in color drenched bathroom called Duxbury Gray

The challenge was finding a moody paint color that could still play nicely with both the cooler marble hex tile floors and the warmer tones of the wood vanity and travertine sink.

While I had initially planned to jump on the brown bandwagon here (Farrow and Ball Broccoli Brown to be exact), I was worried between the south-facing window and all of the warmth of the sink and wood, the room would tip muddy.

I then began analyzing green swatches, but knew to avoid the muddy-effect, the green would have to have some blue to keep things balanced.

Overwhelmed by all the possibilities, a sense of peace finally came over me while watching one of the latest home tours from one of my favorite design firms (which is basically my weekend ritual at this point).

living room walls painted Duxbury Gray paired with white ceiling and marble fireplace surround — Design: The Lifestyled Co. Wall color: Duxbury Gray

The second Kristen Forgione of The Lifestyled Co. mentioned the paint color Duxbury Gray by Benjamin Moore, I practically slammed my glass of Malbec down to find a pen and paper and scribble the name down.

Because as you can see from the photo above, this color plays beautifully with both marble and wood tones- exactly the balance I had been searching for.

What are the undertones in Duxbury Gray?

Despite the name, Duxbury Gray is far more green than what I would consider a true gray paint color. But unlike brighter botanical greens that can feel a little trendy, this color reads much more like a sophisticated mineral green with soft blue-gray influence.

painted sample on wall of Duxbury Gray by Benjamin Moore looking green-gray — Duxbury Gray sample on left

When I painted sample swatches on the wall, I immediately noticed how much warmer and more dimensional Duxbury Gray looked compared to Sherwin Williams’ Tin Lizzie beside it. While Tin Lizzie leaned much more steel gray in my lighting conditions, Duxbury Gray felt softer, moodier, and far more organic.

samples of Duxbury Gray painted next to a stone sink and wood vanity — Duxbury Gray on left side of sink

I love how different undertones present depending on what time of day it is, but the main undertones I notice in this particular space are green, grey and sometimes even a jewel-toned blue in the early morning hours before the sun has peeked thru.

Duxbury Gray color drenched in dark room reading blue

What is the LRV of Benjamin Moore Duxbury Gray (HC-163)?

On the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) scale, Benjamin Moore’s Duxbury Gray has an LRV of 23.6, placing it in the mid-tone range.

duxbury gray , a green blue gray paint color, on walls paired with wood furniture — Benjamin Moore

Given that I had already color-drenched my living room and hallway in a paint color with an LRV of only 6, this mid-range depth was a huge selling point for me. That being said, I still love how moody Duxbury Gray can feel in lower lighting conditions.

What Colors Go With Duxbury Gray?

One of my favorite things about Duxbury Gray is how beautifully it bridges both warm and cool tones. In my own powder room, it works seamlessly with the cooler marble hex tile floors while still complementing the warmth of the wood vanity and travertine sink.

room color drenched in Duxbury Gray by Benjamin Moore

As shown in The Lifestyled Co. space, Duxbury Gray also pairs beautifully with brass, leather, and even deeper green tones.

While I opted to completely color drench my powder room in the color (including the walls, ceiling, and baseboards) a crisp white ceiling could also be a beautiful option if you prefer a lighter overall feel.

If you’ve been on the hunt for a moody paint color that still feels soft, livable, and dynamic throughout the day, I hope today’s review of Benjamin Moore’s Duxbury Gray HC-163 gave you some direction. I’m personally loving the cozy, sophisticated feel it brought to this little powder room of mine.

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me this week! 🙂

If you found my review helpful, it would mean so much to this small business of mine if you could share it with a friend or “pin it” on Pinterest…

greenish blue gray paint color on walls and baseboards called Duxbury Gray by Benjamin Moore paired with marble hex floors

Until next time, keep on designing a life that feels as good as it looks!

Welcome!

My journey in interior design and home improvement began with transforming my first fixer-upper home, all while managing a budget and raising two young boys. My work, a reflection of my passion for creating beautiful, uplifting spaces, has been recognized by top publications like Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, HGTV, and more. I invite you to explore my site and witness the transformation of my home and the vibes we've designed. Read more...