SOURCE: Havenly Hideaway
If you’ve been a reader here for a while it will be no secret that I’m a huge fan of Benjamin Moore’s Pale Oak. In fact, I love it so much that I’ve used it in my own home. It’s just one of those colours that feels like the perfect neutral and works in so many settings.
I’ve previously written a post comparing Pale Oak with Classic Gray which is another amazing neutral from Benjamin Moore. You can read more about that here. While these 2 colours are similar they have enough differences that it may feel easier to decide. When you compare Pale Oak to Natural Cream it can seem like they’re too close to really differentiate one from the other. I’m going to break down the differences so you’ll feel comfortable forging ahead with your own decision.
Pale Oak vs Natural Cream
If you glance quickly at these colours you may feel there’s no difference at all between them. They are so incredibly close that it would be an easy mistake to make. The biggest difference is that while Pale Oak is slightly more cool toned, Natural Cream leans towards the warmer side of the colour spectrum.
Understanding Undertones
SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
The biggest factor when trying to understand the difference between colours is undertone. The main reason we experience issues with paint is because of the undertones. What looks great in the paint store under their bright light might look like a completely different colour in your own home. This is usually because of the undertones and while it’s most impacted when using a neutral paint colour it can happen with dark colours as well.
All neutral paint has undertones of green, blue or pink/violet. It’s possible to have an undertone that’s a combination of these but one or more of these exist as an undertone in all neutral paint.
What to Know About Undertones of Pale Oak
SOURCE: CC and Mike
Like I mentioned, every neutral has an undertone and this one leans toward pink. Before you turn away thinking I don’t want a pink room just bear in mind that the word is undertone. The colour is still greige but in certain instances you’re going to notice that slight hint of pink arises. This becomes more problematic If your other fixed elements in the space don’t play nicely with that. That’s where you’ll be bothered by it. It can also be a benefit because it’s what gives this colour some warmth.
Seeing the undertone is not a bad thing. You might love that if you’re trying to create an office or a girl’s bedroom. However, if this colour is going into your living room and you live in a home full of boys and men you might not be looking for a paint that reads pink. If you want to neutralize the undertone of Pale Oak don’t add more of the same but rather look at adding in blues and greens to help pull out the gray in the greige.
What to Know About Undertones of Natural Cream
SOURCE: A Season for Home
This is where Natural Cream differs from Pale Oak. The undertone in Natural Cream is a very soft green that will only appear in rooms that aren’t well lit. When you use Natural Cream in a room with lots of natural or artificial light you won’t see any undertones. In fact, you may not see any colour at all and it will appear to be an off-white or very light cream colour.
Lighting and Your Neutral Paint Selections
SOURCE: Anne Hepfer
If there was only a single factor I could point to that impacts the way we see colour it would have to be lighting. Nothing else causes the type of change we see when we adjust the lighting conditions of a space.
The artificial light we use in our space plays an important role in how we see colour. From the type of lighting to the type of light bulbs, colour will change and adapt under the shifting conditions of a home.
The amount of natural light that flows into a room is a huge factor. To make things even more complicated, the time of day will bring about massive changes in colour as well. A colour you love in the morning light might be awful when you see it in the late evening. Always test your paint colours and keep an eye on them throughout the day to be sure you like the colour at all times.
How Lighting Affects Pale Oak
SOURCE: A Thoughtful Place
If you want to paint and your room is southern exposure you’ll likely fall in love with Pale Oak. It tends to warm up even more when exposed to strong sunlight. If you really love the beige aspect of this beige/gray paint then it’s an excellent choice for a light filled room.
If on the other hand you have a northern exposure and little natural light you may feel this colour leans too much in the direction of gray. It’s also beautiful and there’s no reason to avoid it unless that’s not what you want from the colour.
How Lighting Affects Natural Cream
SOURCE: Studio McGee
If you live in a home that’s south facing and filled with gorgeous light for long periods of the day you may want to avoid using Natural Cream. It’s going to fade away under all the light and will look white or at best a very light off-white.
For this colour to do its best you should avoid the southern exposure but it will look great with all other directional light.
Best Pairings for Neutral Paint
Neutral colours are flexible and can work with a variety of other colours including other neutrals. It’s always most important that you consider all your fixed materials, furniture and artwork when selecting a colour.
For instance, a room that has dark flooring and dark coloured furniture can definitely be enhanced with a light neutral whereas a dark colour may make the space feel heavy and cumbersome.
These are a few examples of colours that will work well with both Pale Oak and Natural Cream.
1/ Hale Navy HC-154
This beauty is the perfect complement to any light neutral. If you want your walls to be painted in either Pale Oak or Natural Cream you can consider using Hale Navy on an adjoining room or even as the cabinetry colour.
2/ Middlebury Brown HC-68
If you prefer a palette that’s a bit more monochromatic, consider using a brown colour as the dark neutral. This is a lovely complement to a light neutral and will add personality without being too colourful.
3/ Smoke 2122-40
This is a gorgeous mid-toned blue that will give a coastal feeling to any room when paired with a light neutral.
If you’re still feeling confused and overwhelmed with colour choices, reach out to me. I’d love to discuss how a colour consultation can help you finalize your colour selections quickly and efficiently.
If you know your design style but you struggle with which paint to use, take a look at my Made-For-You paint palettes. They take the guesswork out and give you the confidence to get started.
