Toasted Almond PPG1097-3 Review

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If you’ve been hunting for that “just right” neutral that feels warm without being yellow, calm without being boring, and versatile enough to slip into just about any design style, you might just fall head over heels for PPG Paints Toasted Almond PPG1097-3.

This shade is a soft, neutral caramel white with a bronze undertone and an LRV of 61, which means it’s light enough to brighten a room but grounded enough to keep things cozy. Today, I’m breaking down undertones, lighting effects, trim pairings, palettes, and more, so you can decide if this is a color your home needs.

What Color Is PPG Toasted Almond PPG1097-3?

Think of Toasted Almond as the sophisticated cousin of beige and the less-fussy sister of greige. It has a warm, caramel-white base kissed with bronze undertones, which gives it depth and dimension.

It’s not stark, it’s not flat, and it’s definitely not builder-grade beige. Instead, it’s warm, approachable, and textured, like that cashmere throw blanket you splurged on (and now your dog has claimed it as his own).

Undertones of Toasted Almond

The thing that makes most people lose their minds, undertones, or the colors that can surprisingly show up. Here’s what you need to know:

• Primary undertone: Bronze warmth (gives it that cozy, caramel vibe).
• Secondary undertone: A whisper of beige-gray, keeping it from feeling too yellow or orange.
• What to watch for: In cool light, the bronze undertone softens into a gentle beige; in warm light, you’ll see more caramel richness.

Bottom line: it’s warm, but never orange.

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!

The LRV of Toasted Almond (61)

Let’s talk about Light Reflectance Value (LRV)—aka the paint nerd’s favorite stat. Toasted Almond sits at 61, which lands it in the light-medium category.

• High enough to reflect light and keep a room feeling open.
• Low enough to avoid looking washed out.
• Translation: it’s the Goldilocks of neutral LRVs.

If you have a dark, north-facing room, it won’t perform miracles, but it will prevent the cave vibes that deeper neutrals might bring.

How Lighting Affects Toasted Almond

Lighting can completely change how Toasted Almond or any paint color, for that matter, looks. Let’s break it down by direction:

• North-facing rooms: Cool light pulls out the beige-gray undertone, making it read a little softer and more muted.
• South-facing rooms: Warm light brings out the caramel/bronze tones, giving the color a sun-kissed glow.
• East-facing rooms: Morning light = warmer almond vibes; by afternoon, the shade looks more neutral.
• West-facing rooms: Afternoon light will warm this shade up beautifully—think golden hour on your walls.

What Trim Colors Work with Toasted Almond?

The right trim color is like the perfect pair of earrings. It pulls the look altogether. Some of my favorites for Toasted Almond are:

• Crisp White: PPG Delicate White or PPG Pure White—bright, clean, and classic.
• Soft Cream: PPG Gypsum—keeps things warm and inviting.
• Moody Contrast: A rich, deep brown or charcoal (like PPG Black Magic) for a dramatic edge.

Coordinating Colors and Palettes

Here are some tried-and-true palettes I’d pair with Toasted Almond:

Where to Use PPG Toasted Almond

The beauty of Toasted Almond is that it works just about anywhere:

• Living Rooms: Warm, welcoming, pairs beautifully with wood furniture.
• Bedrooms: Calming and cozy without feeling heavy.
• Kitchens: Looks stunning with white or wood cabinetry.
• Entryways: Makes a great first impression (and hides fingerprints better than a bright white).
• Exteriors: Adds a classic, cozy home feel.

FAQs

Q: Is Toasted Almond a warm or cool color?
A: Warm but balanced enough that it doesn’t lean yellow or orange.

Q: What colors go with Toasted Almond?
A: Warm whites, soft beiges, earthy greens, charcoal grays, and natural wood tones.

Q: Does Toasted Almond look beige?
A: It’s more complex than a flat beige. It has bronze warmth and a soft caramel undertone that makes it richer.

Q: What’s the best trim with it?
A: Crisp whites like PPG Delicate White or Pure White are safe bets, but you can go creamy or bold if that’s your style.

Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams Colors That Are Similar

I get this question all the time: “What’s the Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams dupe?” Good news—there are some excellent near-matches if you prefer one of those brands.

Here are my top picks:

• Benjamin Moore Muslin (OC-12): Warm, soft beige with a touch of cream—slightly lighter but very close in vibe. Order a sample of Muslin here.

• Benjamin Moore Natural Linen (966): A warm beige that leans just a hair more neutral than Toasted Almond. Order a sample of Natural Linen here.

• Sherwin Williams Neutral Ground (SW 7568): A balanced beige with similar warmth and versatility. Grab your peel & stick sample of Neutral Ground.

• Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan (SW 7531): Ever so slightly more muted, but in the same family of warm neutrals. Order your Canvas Tan sample here.

👉 Pro tip: While these colors are close cousins, lighting and finishes can make them look different in real life. If you’re color-matching across brands, always sample side by side before painting an entire room.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a warm neutral that plays well with both traditional and modern spaces, Toasted Almond is a fabulous option. It’s soft without being bland or boring, warm without being dated, and versatile enough to work all over your home.

Pair it with natural wood tones, cozy textiles, and complementary warm whites, and you’ll have a space that feels timeless and inviting.

*Paint Wisdom (because I can’t help myself)

Please, please, please sample before you commit. Undertones and lighting are tricky, and while Toasted Almond is a downright stunner, you need to see it on your walls, with your light, and your décor.

Unfortunately, Samplize doesn’t carry PPG swatches (yet), but you can grab sample pots and paint a test board. Trust me on this, it’s worth the extra step.

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