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Benjamin Moore Silver Satin OC-26

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Silver Satin is on Benjamin Moore’s best-selling paint colors list. There is no doubt as to why it is there, either. This beautiful paint color will add sleekness and elegance to any room it’s used in.

Well, hello again!

Are you ready for me to go on and on about another paint color? Of course you are; you willingly came here.

You may have guessed that I’m pretty pumped to tell you all about the paint color of the day. I always am. Why would today be any different?

Enough chit-chat; you are here to learn about the fantastic, the gorgeous, and the enchanting.

SILVER SATIN BENJAMIN MOORE OC-26

Silver satin Swatch

WHAT COLOR IS SILVER SATIN?

Silver Satin is considered a white paint color. I’d say it was somewhere along the lines of an off-white paint color. If you were to look at the color of the paint deck, you would see that it’s not bright white like Chantilly Lace. It has a bit more saturation or color to it. It may even look like a very light shade of silvery gray.

Keep in mind that the colors that are in the paint deck are not 100% accurate. They are swatches dyed to look like the paint color. Yes, they are very close to the paint color, but again, they are not 100% accurate.

This is why I always suggest getting a sample of the actual paint. It allows you to see the true paint color.

STATS -LRV & HUE FAMILY

  • AKA SILVER SATIN 856
  • LRV: 74.9
  • CIE-L*Ch(ab) =   89.184    3.729   98.158°
  • HUE FAMILY: Yellow
  • COLOR COLLECTIONS: Off White Collection, Best Selling Paint Colors

Silver Satin is also known as the # 856. Why does it have two numbers? This is basically just to distinguish between the different color collections Benjamin Moore has.

Silver Satin has an LRV of 74.9.

What’s LRV mean? It stands for Light Reflectance Value,

OK, but what is it?

LRV or Light Reflectance Value is a scale used by design professionals to measure the amount of light that is reflected from and or absorbed by a surface. The scale range is 0 to 100 with 0 being absolute black and 100 being pure white.

A great article to read to learn more about LRV is Light Reflectance Value: What Do Those Numbers Mean?

74.9 is pretty high on the scale. SS will reflect a decent amount of light.

Silver Satin is from the Yellow hue family. The hue family is helpful because it is based on scientific data. It will also help you determine what paint colors coordinate with it.

As for the color collection, these basically are groups of colors that have been curated by Benjamin Moore.

Don’t start painting until you have the right tools!

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IS SILVER SATIN WARM OR COOL?

Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin is considered to be a warm paint color. The thing to remember here is that lighting plays a large role in how the tone of the color will look.

For example, if you use Silver Satin in a north-facing room, you may find the color to show more gray tones and look grayed out.

In a south-facing room, it will look less gray and a bit more on the warm side.

I find that comparing two colors always helps with figuring out the tone of a paint color. For Example, if you compare Silver Satin to Edgecomb Gray, you can see that Edgecomb Gray is a bitter warmer.

BM Sliver Satin vs BM Edgecomb Gray
Silver Satin compared to Edgecomb Gray.

WHAT UNDERTONES DOES SILVER SATIN HAVE?

The question regarding undertones is always one of the trickiest questions to answer.

Undertones are subjective. What you see in your room with your lighting is not what someone else will see. in their room with their lighting.

With that being said, there have been times I’ve seen Silver Satin show a bit of purple or lavender, and there are also times when I’ve seen it look like a light neutral gray.

Unbalanced lighting tends to bring out the undertones or color shifts of a paint color.

The only way to know what undertones or colors Silver Satin will show is by testing a paint sample in your home. It is honestly the easiest way to see how a color will perform for you, and it will also take all the guesswork out of the paint color selection process.

Don’t let that stop you from testing out this fantastic color. It is a fabulous, very light gray that deserves a shot.

DOES SILVER SATIN LOOK PURPLE?

Yes, Silver Satin can sometimes possibly flash purple.

But wait.

It’s not a purple paint color. We already established that. However, here’s the thing: what it looks like on your walls depends on the lighting, fixed elements, and decor color in your room.

CARDINAL DIRECTIONS AND LIGHTING

Lighting is one, if not the most, important factor in what a paint color will look like.

It plays a large role in how you will perceive a color. For this reason, it’s an excellent idea to be familiar with the lighting situation and the cardinal direction of the room you are choosing the right paint color for.

Below are the four cardinal directions: north, south, east, and west, with a brief description of how the light looks from that direction.

lighting direction chart

NORTH-FACING ROOMS – Light in North-facing rooms comes off cooler and somewhat bluish. Lighter colors will appear more muted, while bolder colors will show up, or appear sounder.

SOUTH-FACING ROOMS – In South-facing rooms, there tends to be a consistently bright light throughout the day. Warm and cool tones work with south-facing light, This light intensifies colors, so darker colors will seem a bit brighter while softer colors will appear to look like they are gleaming.

EAST-FACING ROOMS – East-facing rooms have the brightest light in the mornings, with a yellow-orange tone. If an east-facing room will be used mainly in the evenings, going with a warm palette will help balance the lack of natural light.

WEST-FACING ROOMS – Early evening is when West-facing rooms have the most favorable light. Warmer tones might seem overwhelming because of the red-orange the light gives off. However, if the main use for the room is in the mornings, the colors won’t appear as strong as they would in the evening.

It’s important to remember to always consider lighting while choosing a paint color. But you cannot forget about the other elements that influence how a paint color may look. This includes fixed elements like cabinetry, flooring, tiles, etc., as well as the decor colors you choose for your home.


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WHAT ARE THE BEST LIGHT BULBS TO USE?

Don’t forget about your light bulbs! The color of the light bulbs in your home is commonly overlooked, and it can affect the way a paint will look.

All lighting affects your paint color regardless of whether it is natural or artificial. But with artificial lighting, it can somewhat be doctored, and that’s with the color of the light bulb you use.

The color of the light bulbs you use will influence how a room’s paint color looks. Unfortunately, this is an important detail that is often overlooked.

With the variety of light bulbs available, it can become overwhelmingly confusing. I mean, what is really soft white and bright white?

Thankfully, it becomes easier once you know a little about light bulbs.

For reference, light color or light appearance is measured on the Kelvin (K)temperature scale. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more yellow light; the higher the Kelvin number the whiter or bluer light.

Remember, lower Kelvin (K) numbers = yellow light, Higher Kelvin (K) numbers = white/blueish light

I always recommend using this type of light bulb.

Be cautious of the light bulb names such as “daylight” or warm light”. I’d advise against picking a light bulb by its name.

Instead, always check the package for actual facts. This allows you to choose the best bulb for you.

Don’t forget, as much as lighting plays a major part in how a paint color will look at times. There are other determinants to be aware of. For instance, decor, furniture, fixtures, cabinetry, and floors. These are all elements that can affect and/or influence the way a paint color will look in your room.

WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO SAMPLE?

I’m an advocate for testing and sampling paint colors. I wholeheartedly feel like it’s a sure-fire way to see how a paint color will look in a room. I feel as though many people brush over this step in the painting process and I think it’s wildly insane.

LEARN HOW TO TEST YOUR PAINT SAMPLE THE RIGHT WAY.

GRAB A SAMPLING PAINT COLORS WORKSHEET TO LEARN HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SAMPLES

Do not skip on test sampling your paint colors! It’s one of the biggest painting mistakes you can avoid.

Now that we are clear that sampling is a must, what is the best way to sample Chantilly Lace?

SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES OF COURSE!

Instead of physically going to your nearest paint store to grab your samples, you need to try  Samplize Peel & Stick paint samples.

Why should you try Samplize?

  • Super affordable
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  • Made with real manufacturer paint
  • Displays color just like a wall
  • Environmental friendly
  • Reusable
Samplize Swatch

These peel & stick paint samples are super affordable and allow you to test a paint color in all different areas of a room without the mess of a traditional paint sample! 

 You know how I feel about testing paint colors. It’s a must! 

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WHERE TO USE SILVER SATIN?

Silver Satin is a fabulous color to use anywhere! This light, bright, and airy neutral will look awesome in any application, especially

  • Kitchen
  • Living Room
  • Bedroom
  • Bathroom

LIVING ROOM

The living room is the perfect place to use Silver Satin.

You can see how the color looks like a soft gray in this living room. It’s so sleek yet inviting.

Rachel @Rachelnate_renovate on Instagram painted her walls, BM Silver Satin. The color brightens up the room beautifully.

IS SILVER SATIN A GOOD PAINT COLOR FOR THE EXTERIOR?

Sure, Benjamin Moore Silver Satin is good for the exterior. As you can see below, Lauren @michelmanor on Instagram painted the exterior of her home with it. It looks like a beautiful white paint color.

Silver Satin Exterior on a single level home
Lauren @michelmanor

Here’s the thing with near neutrals like Silver Satin: They have a hard time standing up to direct sunlight and tend to wash out. That’s why Silver Satin looks white in the picture.

I don’t find anything wrong with that as long as you are aware of it.

A paint color with more depth to it has a better chance of standing up to the sun. For example, a paint color like Stonington Gray or Coventry Gray. It has a good amount of depth to it. It will still look lighter in the direct sun, however, it won’t wash out as much as a near neutral.

LOOKING FOR MORE EXTERIOR PAINT COLORS? CHECK THESE OUT:

WHAT IS THE SHERWIN WILLIAMS EQUIVALENT TO BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN?

SW 7014 EIDER WHITE

LRV 73

According to the spectatorial data, these two paint colors are similar. But if you were to just look at the two side by side on the computer, you’d say they are not alike.

That’s because the colors on the computer screen are not an accurate representation of the true paint colors.

They are actually quite similar colors. The only difference is that Edier White is possibly a tad bit warmer. If you like one, you will probably like the other.

I know what you are thinking. Can’t I just color match with Sherwin Williams paint? Yes, you can, but proceed with caution.

Paint manufacturers use different formulas to create their paint colors, so if you try to color match, the colors won’t precisely match. If you are feeling brave enough to try it, I HIGHLY suggest getting a small sample can to start off with.

WAIT! Before you start painting make sure you have the best painting tools to make your job easier. It will take hours off your painting time!

WHAT IS THE BEST TRIM COLOR FOR SILVER SATIN?

The most common paint color for trim is white. People gravitate towards it. Why? Well, because white goes with everything. It makes sense.

Some of the best white paint colors to coordinate with Silver Satin, in my opinion, are Benjamin Moore Decorator’s White, White Dove, Chantilly Lace, and Simply White. I find that they all work very well as a trim color.

If you want to try something a bit different, you can go for a darker gray trim. A color like BM Sterling Silver would be a great choice.

Trim doesn’t always have to be white, do what makes you happy!

READ MORE: THE BEST WHITE PAINT COLORS FOR TRIM

BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN COMPLEMENTARY COLORS

  1. NIMBUS
  2. WILLOW CREEK
  3. SILVER CHAIN
  4. BALBOA MIST
  5. LONDON FOG
  6. DRAGONS BREATH
  7. ABALONE
  8. BARREN PLAIN

KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PAINT COLORS

painting tracker graphic

COLOR COMPARISONS

Comparing colors is a helpful way to help you choose or rule out specific paint colors. If you put two colors you like to head to head, you may discover one is a bit warmer or one has more of a yellow tone to it. It truly helps you in your paint color decision.

So, let’s compare a few popular paint colors that are similar to BM Silver Satin and see how they differ.

BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN VS BALBOA MIST

  • Balboa Mist has an LRV of 65.53
  • Both colors Benjamin Moore colors are from the yellow hue family
  • Balboa Mist is a light, pale shade of gray
  • SS is lighter than Balboa Mist
  • Balboa Mist is more saturated

BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN VS CLASSIC GRAY

BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN VS CLASSIC GRAY Graphic
  • Classic Gray has an LRV of 73.67
  • both colors are from the yellow hue family
  • Silver Satin is not lighter than Classic Gray
  • Classic Gray has a bit more saturation to it.
  • Classic Gray is the warmer of the two

BENJAMIN MOORE SILVER SATIN VS PAPER WHITE

BM Silver Satin vs BM Paper WHite grap
  • Paper White has an LRV of 74.41
  • Paper White is from the green-yellow hue family
  • Silver Satin is a tad bit warmer
  • Paper White is lighter
  • SS has a tiny bit more saturation.
  • Paper White has a bit of a gray-blue feel

BENJAMIN MOORE CALM VS SILVER SATIN

BM Silver Satin vs BM Calm graphic
  • Calm has an LRV of 75.83
  • Both colors are from the yellow hue family
  • Calm is the lighter paint color of the two
  • Silver Satin has more saturation.
  • Calm can look almost like a lavender white.

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samplize paint samples on kitchen cabinets

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RECAP

I know there was just a ton of information thrown at you in this Benjamin Moore Silver Satin review so here’s a quick recap of what was talked about.

  • it’s considered a white paint color
  • has a bit of gray to it
  • can possibly look or flash purple
  • has an LRV of 74.9
  • is from the yellow hue family
  • is a part of the Benjamin Moore Color Collection, Off White Collection, Best Selling Paint Colors
  • also known as Silver Satin 856
  • has the possibility to wash out in bright sunlight
  • it’s considered a slightly warm paint color
  • the best way to sample it is with SAMPLIZE PEEL & STICK PAINT SAMPLES
  • looks fantastic with a bright white trim
  • the Sherwin Williams equivalent is Eider White

Follow these helpful painting tips and avoid these mistakes to get the job done right!

FINAL THOUGHTS

Benjamin Moore’s Silver Satin is yet another absolutely fabulous paint color. It’s light, bright, and airy. It has an elegant sleekness to it but is also warm and inviting. I don’t know, but it sounds like this is a paint color that has it all.

Now of course it’s not going to be the perfect paint color for everyone. If you are fearful of any sort of purple/lavender flashes, this may not be the one for you. But I say, you never know how it will truly look until you sample it.

Sampling paint colors is the only way to see how a paint color will react in your space. You never know, you may think Silver Satin isn’t for you but if you sample it and love it then you could have missed out on the perfect paint color.

The moral of the story is sample, sample, sample, those paint colors.

Overall, I like Silver Satin, It’s a beautiful silvery white that stands out. It’s one to look at.

Are you planning on tackling a painting project on your own?  Use these tips to help you paint your room like a pro.

Do you want to paint like a pro?

Get the painting tools the pros use.

Drop cloths are a must for any painting project. Paint is messy! Save yourself the hassle of unnecessary cleanup by using drop cloths. You’ll be happy you did.

A high-quality paint brush will go a long way. The same goes for paint rollers. You want to use tools that will work with you, making your painting job more manageable.

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