Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth 984: Review & Inspiration

Neutral paint colors are relatively easy to choose. But there are so many of them that you can get overwhelmed or confused when it comes to deciding which is ideal. However, it doesn’t have to be such a task when you can simply opt for Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth.

It may not be one of the most popular paint colors in the market, but Stone Hearth performs better than you can imagine. So, I want to show you the amazing aspects of this paint color, including its tone, undertone, and reaction to different lighting conditions. Ready to explore? Let’s get right to it.

When to Choose Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

There are many paint colors and types, but neutrals are some of the easiest to use. This is because they are versatile and quickly blend with other colors. So, when is it ideal to choose Stone Hearth over other neutrals? Let’s find out.

Have a lot of natural light?

Stone hearth, like many other colors, loves natural light. However, the difference is that it can take on different relatable shades in different lighting conditions. When used in a lot of light, it may look taupe, but with less light, the paint color shows more brown than taupe.

Looking for some warmth?

The paint color is an interesting mix of colors, but because of this unique combination, it comes across as warm. This is useful in a room with cool light.

Need to add depth to the decor?

As a neutral paint color, you may not expect Stone Hearth to provide as much depth as it does. While this is good, you may want to be cautious with it so it doesn’t look too bodied in the room.

There’s much to see about this paint color, and it can be a powerful interior color. You’d be pleasantly surprised that it outperforms your expectations, but don’t take my word for it. Let’s move further to learn more about Stone Hearth and how to use it.

What Color Is Stone Hearth?

The name of the paint color may already give you a hint of its shade. Picture a stone hearth and all it represents: warmth, coziness, home, and comfort. You know that warm vibe that comes from it, especially when there’s a fire going in it. But the paint color is slightly different because of the hint of color in it, making it unique from the usual stone hearth.

Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth 984 is a stony gray paint color that brings elegance and depth to any decor. Its subtle undertones make it even better, regardless of how you use it.

A Look at the Specifications of Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

I made a chart to show a quick summary of every crucial aspect of Stone Hearth. You can easily pick the information you need at just a glance, especially when you need to make a note of the undertone and LRV of this paint color.

	Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth
RGB	196, 186, 170
LRV	48.45
Undertone	Brown, purple
HEX Code	#C4BAAA

 

The LRV of Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

You may know this already but for the newbies, LRV means the light reflectance value of color, referring to how much light the color reflects on a scale of 0 to 100. Black has an LRV of 0, while white has an LRV of 100. Every other color comes between these two.

So, the lower the LRV of any color, the darker it is, and the higher the LRV is, the brighter the color is. But paint colors use a scale of 2.5 to 94 because there are no absolute blacks or pure whites in the paint world.

Benjamin Moore’s Stone Hearth has an LRV of 48.45, making it a mid-tone color. That means the paint color reflects only a fair amount of light, but the good news is that it doesn’t appear washed out in bright light.

The Undertones of Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

The LRV is crucial to how a paint color performs, but the undertones are perhaps more crucial. They can make or mar the color, depending on how you use it.

Stone Hearth has a subtle purple undertone that shows up in cool light, but the color can also show a brown undertone that gives it depth and warmth.

So, here is Stone Hearth without obvious undertones, which is what you are to expect in the right lighting condition.

You can see that if the light is bright and right, Stone Hearth is a beautiful color. There’s nothing to worry about when it comes to heaviness or color. It’s perfectly neutral. But in bright warm lighting, the paint color shows a bit of brown.

In this next photo, Stone Hearth looks a bit cooler with a hint of purple peeking through to the surface.

How Does Light Affect Stone Hearth?

Like almost every color, Stone Hearth responds to light in different ways. It can look slightly muted – not dark – when the light is low or cold, like in a north-facing room.

But it can perk up and look lively and warm with a lot of sunlight, which is available in a south-facing or east-facing room.

Artificial light also affects this paint color. In bright white light, Stone Hearth may give that light-neutral appearance. The room below is a combination of White Dove and Stone Hearth, both by Benjamin Moore.

However, warm yellow light may deepen and make it warm, although it always looks great, regardless of the lighting. This is saying a lot for a gray paint color.

How Does Stone Hearth Feel in a Room?

It’s a welcoming color with a cozy vibe, but the feeling you get depends on how you use it. Typically, Stone Hearth is warm but can give a little cool vibe because of the purple undertone. Nevertheless, the paint color brings elegance and makes you want to spend time at home.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth: Warm or Cool?

Stone Hearth is a warm color, although it’s gray. Gray is usually a cool color, but when infused with a warm undertone like brown, the mass tone or top color becomes warm. The subtle purple doesn’t reduce its warmth, which makes it a unique neutral paint color.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Color Strip: Lighter to Darker Exploration

You may find that Stone Hearth is not the exact color you want. It may be lighter or darker, affecting the overall style you have in mind. If that’s the case, you don’t have to worry. The following are alternatives from the same color strip, arranged from light to dark.

• Benjamin Moore Wind’s Breath 981
• Benjamin Moore Cedar Key 982
• Benjamin Moore Smoky Taupe 983
• Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth 984
• Benjamin Moore Indian River 985
• Benjamin Moore Smoky Ash 986

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Complementary Color

Pick any color and find it on the color; you will notice that the color has one directly opposite it. That’s the complementary color; these are colors opposite each other on the color wheel.

Stone Hearth is a medium gray color, and even with its undertones, its complementary color is a light blue shade. Benjamin Moore’s Sunrise 829 is a close match. But you can also try Sherwin Williams’s Windy Blue SW 6240 if you want to try a different brand.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Coordinating Colors

Firenze, Battenberg, and Water’s Edge are some of the coordinating colors for Stone Hearth. These are colors that blend well together in a color scheme, bringing out the beauty in each other to create a pleasing appearance.

• Benjamin Moore Firenze AF-225: This paint color, with its deep orange hue, brings out the purple in Stone Hearth with its rosy undertone.
• Benjamin Moore Battenberg AF-70: A creamy neutral whose warmth works with almost every color, including Stone Hearth.
• Benjamin Moore Water’s Edge 1635: A stunning muted blue paint color that brings elegance to any decor and pairs well with the gray in Stone Hearth.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Color Palettes

I’ve created the following color palettes to help you get started on the right color schemes. You can always switch colors when necessary.

Contrasting Color Palette

• Providence Blue 1636: A slate blue paint color with depth made even deeper by its gray undertone that matches Stone Hearth.
• Sienna Clay 104: A mix of brown and orange gives this paint color its unique color but perfectly contrasts Stone Hearth.
• Hushed Hue 1520: A hint of green darkens this bright color, giving it some character and beauty instead of leaving it bland.

Monochromatic Color Palette

• Buckhorn 987: A dark brown paint color that shows a little green, giving it a distinguished hue.
• Smoky Ash 986: A slight mossy undertone changes the neutral paint color to a different hue but makes it work well with Stone Hearth.
• Cedar Key 982: A light-medium paint color with a little purple that makes it a crisp and perfect match for Stone Hearth.

Coordinating Color Palette

• Water’s Edge 1635: A stunning muted blue paint color that brings elegance to any decor and pairs well with the gray in Stone Hearth.
• Battenberg AF-70: A creamy neutral whose warmth works with almost every color, including Stone Hearth.
• Firenze AF-225: This paint color, with its deep orange hue, brings out the purple in Stone Hearth with its rosy undertone.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth vs Similar Colors

Let’s explore further in the paint color world to compare Stone Hearth and similar colors. This comparison helps you see where the color is unique to make an informed decision.

BM Revere Pewter vs BM Stone Hearth

Revere Pewter is lighter than Stone Hearth and has slightly yellow-green and beige undertones. Stone Hearth has purple and brown undertones.

BM Ashen Tan vs BM Stone Hearth

Ashen Tan has rosy undertones and is lighter than Stone Hearth with an LRV of 50.72.

BM Shale vs BM Stone Hearth

When paired side by side with Stone Hearth, you can see that Shale is cooler with more obvious mauve undertones. Stone Hearth shows a hint of green by its side.

BM Pashmina vs BM Stone Hearth

Pashmina has more depth than Stone Hearth and is more of a perfect neutral than the main color.

BM Thunder vs BM Stone Hearth

Thunder is slightly cooler than Stone Hearth and offers more color balance when used in any decor. It is also a little darker, with an LRV of 47.58.

Sherwin Williams Paint Color Equivalent to Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth

You won’t find an exact equivalent to Stone Hearth from Sherwin Williams. However, Jogging Path SW 7638 comes close to it. Another color to try is Sherwin Williams Loggia SW 7506 because it’s pretty similar.

Where Can You Use Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth?

As a neutral paint color, Stone Hearth is ideal for any decor, especially when you need a backdrop with good depth. So, check out these real photos to get inspired.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth in a Bathroom

Are you looking for a good color for your bathroom? Stone Hearth works well even if you plan to use artificial light in the bathroom.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth in a Living Room

Stone Hearth is one of the best colors to use in a large room like this because of its warmth. It reduces the cavernous feel large rooms with high ceilings tend to give.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth on a Trim

Trim colors don’t always have to be light. Check out how well Stone Hearth works on the trim in this room, combined with the wallpaper.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth on Kitchen Cabinets

Bring some warmth and color into your kitchen by painting the cabinets in Stone Hearth. The wallpaper in this kitchen makes all the difference.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth on a Door

I like a splash of color in an otherwise pristine or white decor, just like this door painted in Stone Hearth while the rest of the room is white.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth on a Kitchen Island

With a marble countertop of this color, Stone Hearth may just be the ideal color for the island to keep things light and neutral without being stark.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth in a Bedroom

Keep your bedroom soothing and calm with this paint color. You can pair it with white or light gray to maintain that pristine look and warm vibe.

Best Trim Color for Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Walls

White is usually a safe color to use, but you can try other colors like dark brown or a deeper gray. If you opt for white, try a warm one like BM White Dove or an off-white one like BM Battenberg.

Best Ceiling Color for Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth Walls

Because it’s a deep color, white is ideal for the ceiling to make Stone Hearth pop. Darker colors may make the color muddy or too deep, even in bright light.

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth on Exterior

Neutrals like Stone Hearth look amazing on the exterior walls. This house has Stone Hearth on the peaks and the rest of the walls are BM Brandon Beige. The white trim is BM Cloud White.

Conclusion

Benjamin Moore Stone Hearth is a medium gray paint color that looks greige in some lighting conditions. It has an LRV of 48.45 and undertones of brown and purple. But I must not fail to mention that the paint color may show a bit of green on rare occasions.

Pair it with white to brighten the color and use it with good lighting if you want to see its beauty. Also, follow my guide on creating the right color palettes to match Stone Hearth because of its peculiar mix of colors. You won’t regret choosing it for any room with good lighting.

Let me know if you have any questions and share your thoughts and experience with me in the comments section.