Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage HC-114: Paint Color Review

Green comes in many stunning hues, but you can easily get it wrong with green paint colors if you don’t have an experienced eye. While the color is not exactly fussy, using certain shades correctly can be challenging. But all that changes with Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage.

There’s a reason the color is well-loved by designers and experts, and I strongly believe it has something to do with its striking resemblance with October Mist, which was the 2022 color of the year from Benjamin Moore.

You’ll learn and see everything about Saybrook Sage, including its LRV, RGB, undertones, and how to maximize these attributes to your advantage. Let’s get going to explore this amazing paint color.

When to Choose Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

There’s usually a specific reason for picking a color as unique as Saybrook Sage. you may already have somewhere that fits it to perfection. However, if you’re still unsure how to fit it into your decor, here are a few pointers.

Need a little warmth in your green color?

As a green paint color leaning toward yellow, Saybrook Sage has a warm undertone. That means it works best when you have a warm color scheme or need to warm up a north-facing room.

New mudroom or laundry room color?

Because of its peculiar shade, Saybrook Sage looks amazing in mudrooms and laundry rooms. It can handle the splashes of dirt without exposing too much of it, and it’s not difficult to maintain.

Thinking of changing your cabinet color?

Cabinets love this color, and I don’t mean only kitchen cabinets. You can use it on bathroom vanities, desks in your office, or even on bookshelves and other wooden cabinetry.

I love some uniqueness in my decor, as I’m sure everyone else does. And Saybrook Sage brings that in packs. So, whether you want to paint entire walls or accents, this paint color brings its best game face. Now, let’s explore further to see other aspects of the color.

What Color Is Saybrook Sage?

Saybrook is a common last name and is making it into the list of first names. It’s also the name of a college in Connecticut and a town in the southern part of the same state. There’s no indication of the reason behind that name for the paint color, but it’s definitely unique and grabs your attention. It makes you want to see this particular shade of sage if nothing else.

Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage HC-114 is a medium green paint color in the shade of sage or light aloe. It’s a stunning shade of green that throws a subtle warmth into the decor and loves a lot of natural light.

A Snapshot of the Specifications of Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

A chart is one of the easiest ways to get a summary of the basic characteristics of Saybrook Sage. Let’s take a look at this chart to understand better how the paint color works.

	Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage
RGB	177, 183, 162
LRV	45.46
Undertone	Gray, mellow yellow
HEX Code	#B1B7A2

 

The LRV of Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

LRV means the light reflectance value of color and refers to how much is reflected on the surface of the color. The measurement is on a scale of 0 to 100; 0 is the value of absolute black, while 100 is the value of pure white.

But paint colors use a scale of 2.5 to 100 because there are no absolute blacks or pure whites in these colors. Every paint color is nuanced with other colors because of the infusion of the primary colors red, green, and blue (RGB).

Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage has an LRV 45.46, which makes it a mid-tone color. It’s not quite up to the middle point, but it still reflects some light, especially when there’s ample natural light.

The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

Undertones are crucial to how a paint color performs, particularly because of how lighting conditions can change. That’s why experts recommend that you use samples in the rooms you want to paint and check them at different times of the day to see how the colors appear.

Saybrook Sage is a sage green paint color that’s close to an aloe hue but has a dash of gray that tones it down. This gray undertone keeps the paint color from being too loud or bright. Saybrook Sage also has a bit of yellow because of the shade of green.

This is Saybrook Sage in its true form.

But here, you may notice a slight yellow peeking through to the surface of the paint color.

And in this next photo, you’ll notice that Saybrook Sage reveals more of its gray undertone. This is primarily because of the type of lighting in the room.

Does Lighting Affect Saybrook Sage?

Lighting is one of the most important factors affecting paint colors, especially those like Saybrook Sage. Such colors easily change their hues, looking darker or lighter, or revealing other colors with different lighting conditions.

When the lighting is not warm, such as in a room with northern or eastern exposure, Saybrook Sage may appear slightly more muted than usual. Check out this next photo.

When the lighting is warm, such as in a room with southern or western exposure, the color looks truly warm with a hint of yellow.

Artificial lighting can also have an effect on the color. Warm yellow artificial lighting may make Saybrook too warm, and it may lose that magic touch. However, this depends on your style.

With white artificial lighting, the paint color may lose some of its natural warmth without becoming cool.

How Does Saybrook Sage Feel in a Room?

Saybrook Sage usually feels welcoming because of the warm vibe. The paint color can completely transform a room if you use it right. While it works as a whole-room color, it may be better if used minimally so you don’t get bored within a short period.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage: Warm or Cool?

Saybrook Sage is a warm paint color because of its yellow base. Although it has a hint of gray, the paint color is still mostly warm; the gray color only serves to ground it, keeping it from being too green.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration

If you find Saybrook Sage a little off from the color you want, don’t worry about it. I’ve picked other colors from the same color strip, arranging from light to dark, to give you options. See them below.

• Benjamin Moore Pearl Gray 863
• Benjamin Moore Vale Mise 1494
• Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage HC-114
• Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport Green HC-123
• Benjamin Moore Land of Liberty 440

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Complementary Color

Every color has one complementary color, and you can find using the color wheel. Complementary colors are opposite each other on the wheel, so it’s easy to find. Common examples include red and green, yellow and purple, and blue and orange.

Saybrook Sage is green, but it’s not the usual green you may easily find on the color wheel. However, it still has a complementary color, which is a shade of purple. Benjamin Moore’s Crocus 1404 is similar to this color, and the same is true of Sherwin Williams’ Obi Lilac SW 6556.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Coordinating Colors

Smokestack Gray, Paper White, and Copley Gray are some of the coordinating colors for Saybrook Sage.

Coordinating colors pair well with each other because of the hidden or obvious similarities. On the surface, they may seem to have nothing in common, but when paired, the results are usually pleasing to the eye.

• Benjamin Moore Smokestack 2131-40: Although it’s a shade of deep gray, its blue-green undertone changes it to a beautiful color, perfect for the lighter Saybrook Sage.
• Benjamin Moore Paper White OC-55: With a hint of blue and gray, this bright white blends with Saybrook Sage, especially as a trim or accessory color.
• Benjamin Moore Copley Gray HC-104: A neutral paint color that reveals a green undertone to add color and versatility.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Color Palettes

These palettes allow you to incorporate different colors as long as they stick to the same tone and scheme. The following are examples to guide you specifically for a unique shade of green as Saybrook Sage.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Tapestry Beige OC-32: A greige paint color with balanced cool and warm tones to make it easy to use in any color scheme.
• Squirrel Tail 1476: A deep neutral paint color with a dark brown undertone that adds depth and character to the decor.
• Montpelier AF-555: Slate gray undertones make this indigo paint color unique and lush, a perfect addition to decor to bring a sharp contrast with bright colors.

Monochromatic Color Palette

• Guacamole 2144-10: A truly dark shade of Saybrook Sage that reminds you of avocado but pairs well with the main color in any style of decor.
• Pine Brook 490: A warm green that brings a bit of nature into your home, warming colors like Saybrook Sage and making it appear lighter than usual.
• Land of Liberty 440: A muted green color with a hint of yellow that warms and adds a bit of depth, making it ideal to pair with the lighter Saybrook Sage.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Smokestack 2131-40: Although it’s a shade of deep gray, its blue-green undertone changes it to a beautiful color, perfect for the lighter Saybrook Sage.
• Paper White OC-55: With a hint of blue and gray, this bright white blends with Saybrook Sage, especially as a trim or accessory color.
• Copley Gray HC-104: A neutral paint color that reveals a green undertone to add color and versatility.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage vs Similar Colors

Let’s see how Saybrook Sage compares to similar colors. Are they interchangeable or are the differences too much to ignore? Find out below.

BM October Mist vs BM Saybrook Sage

October Mist is the lighter of the two colors, with an LRV of 46.54. It also shows a bit more gray than Saybrook Sage.

BM Salisbury Green vs BM Saybrook Sage

Another similar shade of Saybrook Sage but with a hint of blue and a little lighter than Saybrook Sage, with an LRV of 46.39. Salisbury Green shows less gray than Saybrook Sage.

BM Aganthus Green vs BM Saybrook Sage

Aganthus Green shows a little less depth than Saybrook Sage. This may be because of its noticeably higher LRV of 50.37.

BM Croquet vs BM Saybrook Sage

Both colors are almost the same, except that Croquet is just a smidge warmer. It’s also slightly darker than Saybrook Sage, but the differences are too small to notice.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color Equivalent to Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage

No two paint colors are the same, regardless of the uncanny similarities you may find between them. That’s why each color has a unique name and composition. But Sherwin Williams’ Cascade Green SW 0066 is close to the Saybrook Sage, and so is Clary Sage SW 6178.

Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage?

Cabinets, mudrooms, and laundry rooms are some of the best places to use Saybrook Sage. That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t try this paint color in other rooms. Let’s see some real examples.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage in a Bathroom

The vanity color and wallpaper make the bathroom beautiful. The natural lighting brightens Saybrook Sage to a stunning shade.

Best Ceiling Color for Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Walls

White is my go-to recommendation for ceiling colors unless you are bold and adventurous. Try a bright and neutral white like BM Chantilly Lace for the ceiling and trim.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage in a Nursery

Because it’s a soft color, Saybrook Sage looks spectacular in a nursery and works well when you want to keep the decor gender-neutral.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage on a Door

Remember when I said that Saybrook Sage loves light? This door is proof that the paint color may look its best on the exterior of a house.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage on Kitchen Cabinets

You can use this paint color on a backdrop of bright white walls or cream walls. The result is usually beautiful and calming, especially with good lighting.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage on Trim

The walls are done in the warm BM Monterey White and the trim is Saybrook Sage. The decor is simply unique.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage in a Laundry Room

With the bright white artificial lighting, the cabinet color in this laundry room makes all the difference.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage in a Bedroom

The paint color looks cozy and welcoming in this bedroom, especially when you think of the sunlight which makes it better during the day.

Best Trim Color for Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage Walls

Like the ceiling, I say go for white to deepen the color and have no issues with clashing mass tones.

Benjamin Moore Saybrook Sage on Exterior Walls

Saybrook Sage is not a common color for the exterior of a house, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t look great. Check out this house for inspiration.

Conclusion

Benjamin Moore’s Saybrook Sage is a sage green paint color with a dash of gray and a hint of yellow. It is a warm medium color with an LRV of 45.46. When used well, this paint color can completely transform a room, although it works best on cabinets, laundry rooms, and mudrooms.

Pair it with light wood tones, white, yellow, dark greens, gray, and dark neutrals like black and brown. You can follow the guide to create a unique color palette to match Saybrook Sage and get the results you envision.

There’s so much I know you can do with Saybrook Sage, so get creative and make the most of it. Don’t hesitate to share your decor ideas and results with me in the comments section.