Benjamin Moore Strand of Pearls: A Complete Color Review

Looking for the perfect neutral paint color for your home? Let’s talk about Benjamin Moore Strand of Pearls and if it might be right for your home!

If you’re looking for a warm neutral that feels soft and cozy but not too dark, creamy off-whites might be just what you need.

They’re perfect when you want something that’s more interesting than plain white but still light enough to brighten up a room.

I love how they bring warmth and a relaxed feel to a space, especially if you don’t want anything too bold or cold.

But not all creamy off-whites are the same. Some are barely off-white. Others are deeper, almost greige. One color that really stands out in this group is Strand of Pearls by Benjamin Moore.

Let’s take a closer look.

Strand of Pearls, Benjamin Moore, CSP-395

This color really lives up to its name. It reminds me of vintage pearls: warm, elegant, and just a little nostalgic.

Strand of Pearls is a soft, creamy off-white with subtle greige undertones. It has a quiet richness to it.

I’ve seen it used in everything from calm bedrooms to cozy living rooms, and it always adds a warm, inviting feel. It’s one of those shades that works in modern and traditional homes alike.

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Strand of Pearls

Color Family

Strand of Pearls is in the neutral family.

Light Reflectance Value

72

Light Reflective Value is the measurement of how much light a color bounces around. This is on a scale of 0 to 100 with 0 being pure black and 100 being pure white.

Generally, anything with an LRV from 72-82 is considered off-white.

With an LRV of 72, this is technically an off-white, but it’s on the deeper end. It won’t wash out in sunlight and adds just enough contrast next to white trim or cabinets.

RGB Colors

R: 227 G: 222 B: 208

RGB describes the amount of each color - red, green, and blue - present in a color. This is on a scale of 0 to 255 for each color. This is basically the color mix to make the color!

Strand of Pearls leans warm thanks to a bit more red and yellow in the mix.

Hex Code

#E3DED0

Undertones

Strand of Pearls has warm yellow and orange undertones.

In bright, south-facing rooms, you’ll really notice that golden warmth. It looks soft and creamy without feeling yellow.

In darker, north-facing rooms, it can look darker and a bit cooler / more neutral.

Best uses

Strand of Pearls works well as a whole house paint color, especially if you want a bit more depth than typical builder-grade whites.

But since it’s slightly darker than your average off-white, it also looks amazing when used in just a few spaces. Try it in:

• Living rooms
• Bedrooms
• Kitchens
• Bathrooms
• Home exterior
• Interior doors
• Cabinets
• Furniture

Similar Colors

Looking for something close? Here are a few similar shades you might want to compare:

• Benjamin Moore Gray Mist
• Behr Sand Drift
• Sherwin Williams Oyster White
• Benjamin Moore Etiquette
• Behr Cotton Knit
• Sherwin Williams White Duck
• Benjamin Moore Olympic Mountains

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Strand of Pearls

Coordinating Colors

As a neutral, Strand of Pearls pairs well with many other colors, including deep blues and reds, as well as neutrals, including beiges, grays, greiges, browns, blacks and crisp whites.

Dark, warm reds:

• Modern Romance
• Cranberry Cocktail
• Pottery Red
• Maple Leaf Red
• Cherokee Brick

Mid blue-grays:

• Bachelor Blue
• Normandy
• Alfresco
• West Coast

Neutral-grays:

• Cumulus Cloud
• London Fog
• Apparition
• Shale
• Seattle Mist

Trim Colors

Strand of Pearls really pops next to a crisp, bright white trim colors. I recommend:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White

Click here to get a peel and stick sample of Strand of Pearls

FAQS

Here are some common questions I get about this soft, cozy neutral.

Is Benjamin Moore Strand of Pearls warm or cool?

Strand of Pearls is definitely a warm color. It’s a creamy off-white with subtle yellow and orange undertones, which gives it a soft, welcoming feel.

What is the undertone of Strand of Pearls?

Strand of Pearls leans warm with yellow and orange undertones.

In rooms with lots of sunlight, like south-facing spaces, those warm tones really shine through and the color feels brighter.

In cooler, north-facing rooms, it tends to look more muted and neutral. It can even read a touch grayer depending on the lighting.

What's the difference: BM Strand of Pearls vs SW White Duck?

These two are really close in depth and tone, but there are some small differences.

Strand of Pearls has an LRV of 72, while White Duck is just a bit lighter at 74. Both are still in the off-white range.

The undertones are where you might notice a shift. Strand of Pearls leans a little more yellow. White Duck has a slightly more orange-beige feel.

Strand of Pearls also feels a touch more muted to me, while White Duck reads a little more crisp and clean.

Try both in your space to see what feels better with your lighting and furniture.

What's the difference: BM Strand of Pearls vs SW Oyster White?

Again, these are pretty similar shades. They even share the same LRV of 72, so neither one is lighter than the other.

The biggest difference comes down to undertones. Strand of Pearls leans yellow and a bit creamy, while Oyster White has subtle green and beige undertones.

If your space has cooler light, Oyster White might feel a bit fresher. Strand of Pearls brings more warmth and softness.

Both are great choices, but definitely swatch them side by side if you’re stuck between the two.

What is the difference: BM Pale Oak vs Strand of Pearls?

These two feel related, but they’re not twins.

Pale Oak is a warm greige, and it tends to read more beige in most rooms. Strand of Pearls, on the other hand, is a warm off-white. It’s lighter overall and has more of a creamy undertone.

Pale Oak has an LRV of 69, so it’s just a bit darker than Strand of Pearls at 72.

Both are soft neutrals, but if you want something lighter and a little less gray, go with Strand of Pearls.

What color trim goes with BM Strand of Pearls?

Strand of Pearls looks beautiful with a bright white trim. The contrast really makes the wall color feel clean and fresh.

Some of my go-to white trim options are:

• Benjamin Moore Simply White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Behr Ultra Pure White
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

All of these will give you that crisp, polished look next to the warmth of Strand of Pearls.

Thanks for reading!