Edgecomb Gray HC 173 by Benjamin Moore

🎨 Color Review: Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore HC-173)

Before we get into real-life applications, let’s look at Edgecomb Gray’s factual color DNA:

Brand: Benjamin Moore
Color Name & Number: Edgecomb Gray HC-173
HEX: #D7D0C2
L (Lightness): 83.7
C (Chroma): 7.9
h° (Hue Angle): 90.0
Munsell Hue Family: Yellow
Munsell Value / Chroma: 8.2 / 1.06
LRV: 64

Vibes:
Near Neutral, Low Chroma, Soft

How It Behaves in Real Homes

General Vibe / Emotional Impressions:
Edgecomb Gray feels soft, calm, and grounded. It’s one of those “just right” neutrals that doesn’t scream for attention but creates a warm, welcoming backdrop.

Popular Rooms / Surfaces Used:
Frequently used in open floor plans, entryways, living rooms, and kitchens — especially when paired with natural wood tones or creamy whites. Homeowners often choose it to create a connected, flexible color story across multiple rooms.

Standout Testimonials or Patterns:
Designers say it has a “putty-like” or “stone-washed linen” feel. Users report that it rarely reads “gray” in the traditional sense — it’s more of a soft, earthy greige that shifts depending on the light.

Lighting and Finish Observations

Natural Daylight:
In north-facing rooms, it can feel more muted and shadowed, emphasizing its gray side. In south-facing light, the yellow hue family emerges softly, lending a gentle warmth.

Warm Light (incandescent/sunset):
Takes on a cozy, beige-like warmth. Can lean more traditional in vibe, especially when paired with warmer woods or creamy trim.

Cool Light (LED/overcast):
Edges slightly cooler, but rarely turns cold. May look slightly grayer, but remains balanced.

Sheen Effects:
Flat and matte finishes give it a chalky, soft appearance. Higher sheens can highlight subtle undertones and cause shifts, especially near reflective surfaces.

Common surprises or “gotchas” to watch for:
Despite the name, it’s not a classic gray. It can look unexpectedly warm or beige in some lighting. If paired with truly cool grays or whites, it may appear “muddy” by comparison.

Comparisons to Other Whites / Neutrals

Compare to BM Revere Pewter:
Revere Pewter is darker, more chromatic, and has a green undertone from the Green-Yellow hue family. Edgecomb Gray is lighter, softer, and more flexible.

Compare to BM Balboa Mist:
Balboa Mist leans cooler and sits in the Yellow-Red hue family and can shift and show up purple-ish. Many report that Edgecomb Gray feels warmer and more grounded.

Compare to SW Accessible Beige:
Accessible Beige is deeper and reads more brown, while Edgecomb Gray has a lighter, more ethereal quality with more yellow-based warmth.

Position on the spectrum:
Warm–neutral, slightly earthy. Firmly in the muted–soft quadrant rather than bright or crisp.

Strategic Application Notes

Best Used For:
Creating continuity in open concept spaces. Pairs well with medium oak floors, greige stone countertops, and white trim. Ideal when you want something grounded but not heavy.

Avoid If:
You need a cool gray or plan to use crisp blue-white trim — it can look too warm or “off” in that context.

Looks Best With:
Paint: BM White Dove, BM Simply White, SW Alabaster
Countertops: Creamy quartz, light granite, warm marbles
Flooring: Mid-tone woods, travertine, pale oak
Fixtures: Aged brass, antique bronze, muted black hardware

Final Takeaway

Edgecomb Gray is a great choice if you need a neutral that plays well with warm finishes but doesn’t dominate the space. But be sure to test it in different lighting conditions — especially near bright whites or cool grays. It’s not just a soft color — it’s a strategic anchor when you want warmth and sophistication without going beige.