Benjamin Moore’s Yarmouth Blue HC-150 has earned a reputation for looking different in nearly every setting where it appears. Homeowners and designers often describe it as blue in one moment and teal in the next, with the shift driven by light direction, time of day, and surrounding surfaces. The color’s complexity comes from its place in the brand’s Historical Collection, where layered pigments create depth rather than a flat tone. ([1])
A Blue-Green With Persistent Green Undertones
The defining feature of Yarmouth Blue is its green undertone that runs beneath the primary blue. This combination produces a muted teal rather than a pure blue or a bright sea-foam shade. A subtle gray quality further softens the hue and prevents it from appearing overly saturated or tropical in any light.
When viewed next to a true blue or a true teal, the color sits squarely between the two. In warmer light the green advances and the teal character strengthens. In cooler light the blue dominates and the green recedes, leaving a cooler, slate-like impression. The result is a color that feels intentional and layered instead of simple.
Performance Across Different Room Orientations
South-facing rooms bring out the warmer, more inviting side of the paint. Daylight in these spaces amplifies the teal quality and creates a balanced blue-green effect that many find welcoming. North-facing rooms push the color cooler, with the green fading and a muted blue remaining.
Artificial lighting adds another variable. Warm incandescent bulbs at night tilt the color toward teal, while cool LEDs keep it bluer and slightly grayer. The same wall can therefore present two distinct moods depending on the bulbs chosen for the space.
Real-World Applications on Cabinets and Walls
Applied to lower kitchen cabinets, Yarmouth Blue grounds the room without overwhelming the surrounding elements. The medium depth, reflected in an LRV near 30, provides enough presence to make a statement while still allowing the space to feel balanced. On a full bedroom wall the same color creates a cocoon-like atmosphere that feels moody yet comfortable.
These applications highlight how the paint adapts to both functional and restful areas. The kitchen use shows its ability to anchor a busy room, while the bedroom example demonstrates its capacity for a more enveloping effect.
Comparison With Wythe Blue and Exterior Suitability
Wythe Blue HC-143 is the shade most frequently compared to Yarmouth Blue. Both belong to the Historical Collection and share similar depth, yet they diverge in character. Wythe Blue leans greener with a softer, sage-like quality, while Yarmouth Blue holds more blue and gray, resulting in a cooler and slightly more formal appearance.
The color also performs well outdoors. Its depth helps it hold color in direct sunlight, and the gray undertone keeps it from looking cartoonish on siding or trim. It works especially well as a front-door color or on shutters, where it reads as refined rather than loud. Direct sun tends to pull more blue forward, so exterior results are usually less teal than interior ones.
| Trim Option | Effect With Yarmouth Blue |
|---|---|
| Simply White OC-117 | Warm frame that complements the green undertone |
| White Dove OC-17 | Soft, balanced contrast |
| Chantilly Lace | Crisp, high-contrast pop |
| Dark charcoal or black | Bold statement pairing |
Sampling Remains Essential
Blue-green paints rank among the most light-sensitive color families, so digital previews and store chips rarely match the final result. Large brush-outs or peel-and-stick samples tested at different times of day provide the only reliable way to judge the color in a specific space. Checking the paint against countertops, flooring, and hardware further reduces surprises once the full project begins.
Yarmouth Blue HC-150 rewards careful testing with a refined, adaptable finish that shifts gracefully between blue and teal. Its ability to read differently across rooms and lighting conditions is precisely what gives the color its lasting appeal.
AI Disclaimer: This article was created with the assistance of AI tools and reviewed by a human editor.