My Review of Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore

Craving an earthy pop of color for your cabinets or walls? Well you have come to the right place! Today, I am giving my honest review (with real life photos)of Dark Olive 2140-30 by Benjamin Moore...

While I tend to shy away from color when it comes to my home paint selections, when it came to updating my sons’ bathroom last year, something about the lackluster space seemed to cry out for a pop of color. (Yes, I have full conversations with the homes I design—call me a crazy house whisperer if you will!)

Given the space is primarily used by children, my plans were to lean a little more playful with the color palette with sage green being my initial inclination.

But once I found the courage to venture out of my comfort zone and paint the walls of my living room black shortly after moving into the lakefront cottage, I fell head-over-heels in love with the look and feel of a moody aesthetic.

So when I came across this stunning kitchen designed by James May Homes and found out that the cabinet color was Dark Olive by Benjamin Moore, my mind was officially made! And so… one dreary fall day, I mustered up some energy and painted the bathroom vanity and cabinetry.

From the moment I applied my first few strokes of this deep, muted hue I knew I had made the right decision…

What is the LRV of BM Dark Olive?

On the LRV (Light Reflectance Value) spectrum with zero being the lowest value and 100 being the highest, Dark Olive is classified as a 13.52. So while it is lighter than a charcoal black (for reference Sherwin Williams Iron Ore in my living room has an LRV of only 6), Dark Olive is still very much a rich hue which will absorb light rather than reflecting it.

Based on this relatively low LRV, Benjamin Moore Dark Olive is best when used in rooms where you are trying to create a cozy and intimate atmosphere. While it is definitely not dark enough to be grouped with the myriad of black swatches you may considering, it is also not light enough to be considered a mid-tone.

What are the undertones in Dark Olive?

Dark Olive 2140-30 is formulated with a blend of brown, green and just a slight tough of grey (of course I had to throw in a Grateful Dead reference). The warmth and richness of these undertones attributes to the muted, neutral quality of this paint color. But despite its undertones, I have found that regardless of the lighting conditions in my house, Dark Olive consistently reads as a deep, soft green.

While I used Dark Olive on cabinetry, I also think it would look beautiful on the walls of a powder room, office or den. If you are considering painting this moody hue on your walls, I would recommend also painting the trim and baseboards the same color as this will add to the drama and sophistication.

If you want a pop of color that feels warm yet subtle (and of course reminiscent of Mother Nature’s beauty), I recommend buying a sample of BM Dark Olive and testing it out for yourself!

Thank you so much for stopping by and spending some time with me this week! If you found this post helpful, it would mean so much if you could share this post with a friend or on social media..

Now get out there and design some good vibes along with a fabulous life!