Blue Note and Van Deusen Blue: the documented difference
Blue Note has an LRV of 9.02; Benjamin Moore Van Deusen Blue HC-156 is 11.97. The difference is 2.95 points, with Van Deusen Blue returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Blue Note combines navy with dark gray, offering a more gray-influenced deep-blue brief than a clear saturated blue. Van Deusen Blue is a deep blue with more reflectance than the darkest navy choices.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Note | Benjamin Moore 2129-30 | 9.02 |
| Van Deusen Blue | Benjamin Moore HC-156 | 11.97 |
The choice beside cognac leather and white shelves
White shelves define the dark wall, while cognac leather contributes warmth without needing another large colored surface.
Set up both candidates with cognac leather and white shelves. Use equal-sized boards with the intended finishes and place them in the same orientation. Do not put one directly beside a window and leave the other in shadow. A difference that follows the position rather than the board is a lighting observation, not evidence that the formula changed.
What the comparison can—and cannot—settle
The alternative Hale Navy has an LRV of 8.36. The undertones and neighboring colors covers that related choice.
Compare it with a clearer blue in the same room light before choosing the desired amount of gray. Assess Blue Note and Van Deusen Blue alone as well as side by side. The unchosen board will not remain in the finished room, and a preference created only by that neighbor may not survive its removal. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Benjamin Moore Blue Note 2129-30. The recorded LRV is 9.02. Named comparison values come from the respective manufacturers; material schemes are editorial suggestions.
This guide reviews published color information and proposes practical sample checks. It does not claim first-hand paint testing or customer-review scores. Benjamin Moore does not sponsor or endorse this site. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Confirm the color in a physical sample and select the coating for the actual surface and finish.