Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore: Complete Color Review, Undertones & Best Pairings

Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue 462 has become one of the most specified dark green paint colors among interior designers, yet most online resources only show you where to buy it. This guide covers everything you actually need to know before committing: exact undertones, light behavior, coordinating colors, room-by-room applications, and honest comparisons to similar shades.

What Color Is Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore?

Vintage Vogue (462) is an ultra-dark, smoky green from Benjamin Moore’s Classic Collection. The company officially describes it as a shade that “can be used in place of black or brown,” which tells you immediately that this isn’t a typical green.

Quick Specs:

• Color Code: 462
• Collection: Benjamin Moore Classics
• LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 11.85%
• Undertones: Brown, black, gray
• Color Family: Olive green / deep sage

With an LRV of just 11.85%, Vintage Vogue absorbs nearly 88% of the light that hits it. For reference, pure white has an LRV of 100 and pure black sits at 0. This places Vintage Vogue firmly in the “dark” category—expect dramatic impact in any room.

Is Vintage Vogue Warm or Cool?

Vintage Vogue reads as a warm-neutral green. The brown and black undertones prevent it from appearing cold or sterile, unlike blue-based greens such as Hunter Green or Evergreen.

However, lighting conditions significantly affect perception:

• Bright natural light: Brings out the sage/olive green quality
• Low or north-facing light: Shifts toward charcoal or near-black
• Warm artificial light: Enhances the brown undertones
• Cool LED light: Can pull slightly grayer

This chameleon quality is precisely why designers love it—and why sampling in your actual space matters more than with simpler colors.

What Colors Go With Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore?

Vintage Vogue pairs exceptionally well with warm neutrals, natural materials, and metallic accents. Here are the most successful coordinating colors based on designer specifications:

Best White Trim Colors:

• Chantilly Lace (OC-65): Crisp, true white with no discernible undertone. Creates maximum contrast.
• White Dove (OC-17): Warm, creamy white that softens the transition. Preferred for traditional spaces.
• Simply White (OC-117): Bright white with subtle warmth. Balances modern and classic.

Best Neutral Pairings:

• Revere Pewter (HC-172): Warm greige that complements without competing
• Balboa Mist (OC-27): Soft gray-beige for adjacent walls
• Shaker Beige (HC-45): Sandy neutral for warm, cohesive schemes

Accent Colors That Work:

• Hale Navy (HC-154): Deep navy for a sophisticated two-tone approach
• Smokestack Gray (2131-40): Cool gray for modern contrast
• Gentleman’s Gray (2062-20): Dramatic charcoal for moody spaces

Hardware and Metals: Brass, bronze, and copper enhance the warm undertones. Polished nickel and chrome work but create a cooler overall effect.

Vintage Vogue vs. Backwoods: Which Should You Choose?

Backwoods (469) is the most common alternative designers consider alongside Vintage Vogue. Here’s how they compare:

Feature	Vintage Vogue (462)	Backwoods (469)
LRV	11.85% (darker)	~13% (slightly lighter)
Undertones	Brown, black, gray	More green, less brown
Best For	Rooms with good natural light	Low-light or north-facing rooms
Mood	Moodier, more dramatic	More obviously “green”
Style Fit	Traditional, transitional, moody modern	Farmhouse, cottage, coastal

The verdict: Choose Vintage Vogue when you want depth and drama. Choose Backwoods when you need the room to read as definitively green, especially in challenging light conditions.

Other Benjamin Moore Colors Similar to Vintage Vogue

If Vintage Vogue isn’t quite right, consider these alternatives:

• Dark Olive (2140-30): Lighter, more obviously olive. Better for spaces where Vintage Vogue would feel too dark.
• Boreal Forest (AF-480): From the Affinity collection. Cooler gray undertones, slightly lighter. Works in contemporary spaces.
• Essex Green (HC-188): Historical collection. Darker and bluer than Vintage Vogue. More colonial character.
• Dakota Shadow (448): Grayer, less green. Alternative when you want the depth without the green read.

Sherwin-Williams alternatives: Pewter Green (SW 6208) and Forestwood (SW 7730) fall in similar territory, though neither precisely matches Vintage Vogue’s unique brown-olive quality.

Best Rooms for Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore

Vintage Vogue performs differently depending on room function and light exposure. Here’s where it works best:

Libraries and Home Offices

The ideal application. Vintage Vogue creates a cocooning, scholarly atmosphere that enhances focus without feeling oppressive. Pair with warm wood bookshelves, brass hardware, and leather furniture. The color’s depth makes books and art pop.

Dining Rooms

Excellent for evening-focused spaces. The color reads rich and intimate under candlelight and warm artificial lighting. White or cream ceilings prevent the space from feeling like a cave.

Primary Bedrooms

Works well for those who prefer dark, restful sleeping environments. Best on the headboard wall or as a full-room treatment in spaces with adequate square footage and ceiling height.

Kitchen Cabinets

Vintage Vogue has become a popular choice for kitchen islands and lower cabinets. The key is pairing with lighter upper cabinets (white or light wood) and selecting countertops with warm veining. Butcher block, warm-toned quartz, and honed marble all complement the shade.

Exterior Applications

Benjamin Moore does not recommend Vintage Vogue for exterior use due to its deep pigmentation and potential for uneven fading. For similar exterior impact, consider their Exterior line alternatives or consult with a Benjamin Moore dealer about reformulation options.

Rooms Where Vintage Vogue May Not Work

Be cautious with Vintage Vogue in these situations:

• Small, windowless rooms: Without natural light, the color will read as nearly black and shrink the space visually.
• North-facing rooms with minimal light: The green undertones disappear, leaving a murky charcoal.
• Spaces with low ceilings: Dark walls can make 8-foot ceilings feel oppressive. Consider wainscoting with Vintage Vogue below the chair rail and a lighter color above.
• Children’s rooms: The sophisticated mood doesn’t typically align with youthful energy.

How to Sample Vintage Vogue Correctly

Sampling is non-negotiable with Vintage Vogue. Here’s the right approach:

1. Get a physical sample: Benjamin Moore offers 8 oz. sample pots (~$6-8) and peel-and-stick samples. The paint pot provides more accurate results.
2. Paint large swatches: Minimum 2′ x 2′ on multiple walls in the intended room. Small swatches lie about dark colors.
3. Observe for 48-72 hours: Watch the color at morning, noon, afternoon, and evening. Note artificial lighting effects.
4. Test against fixed elements: Hold the swatch against your flooring, countertops, and any furniture that will remain.
5. Compare to alternatives: Sample Backwoods and Dark Olive simultaneously for direct comparison.

Application Tips for Vintage Vogue

Dark colors require more care than light shades. Professional painters recommend:

• Use tinted primer: Ask your Benjamin Moore dealer to tint the primer gray. This reduces topcoats from 3 to 2 and improves final saturation.
• Apply minimum two coats: Even with tinted primer, two topcoats ensure even coverage and true color depth.
• Use high-quality tools: Cheap rollers leave texture marks that show more on dark colors. Invest in professional-grade applicators.
• Maintain consistent conditions: Apply in moderate temperature (50-85°F) and humidity (<85%). Rushing in poor conditions causes lap marks and uneven sheen.
• Choose sheen carefully: Eggshell for living spaces, satin for high-traffic areas, semi-gloss for trim only. Flat can appear chalky; high-gloss shows every imperfection.

Where to Buy Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore

Vintage Vogue (462) is available through Benjamin Moore’s authorized dealer network. Unlike some brands, Benjamin Moore does not sell through big-box retailers like Home Depot or Lowe’s. Find local dealers through the Benjamin Moore Store Locator.

Price ranges (2025):

• Ben Interior: ~$55-60/gallon (good quality, budget option)
• Regal Select: ~$70-75/gallon (excellent coverage, most popular)
• Aura: ~$85-95/gallon (premium, best color depth and durability)
• Natura: ~$80-90/gallon (zero-VOC, environmentally focused)

For Vintage Vogue specifically, most designers recommend Aura or Regal Select. The deeper pigmentation and superior coverage justify the premium, especially since dark colors require fewer touch-ups with better-quality paint.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vintage Vogue too dark for a small room?

It depends on natural light. Small rooms with good south or west exposure can handle Vintage Vogue beautifully—the color adds drama without feeling cramped. Small, dark rooms should consider Backwoods or Dark Olive instead.

What sheen is best for Vintage Vogue?

Eggshell for most wall applications. It provides enough sheen to enhance the color’s depth without creating glare or highlighting wall imperfections.

Can I use Vintage Vogue on kitchen cabinets?

Yes. It’s particularly effective on lower cabinets and islands paired with lighter uppers. Use Advance paint line for cabinets—it’s formulated for trim and provides superior adhesion and durability.

Does Vintage Vogue work with gray flooring?

Proceed carefully. The brown undertones in Vintage Vogue can clash with cool gray floors. Test samples directly against your flooring before committing.

What’s the difference between Vintage Vogue and Hunter Green?

Hunter Green is a true, saturated green with blue undertones. Vintage Vogue is muted, smoky, and brown-based. They’re entirely different color families despite both being “dark green.”

Final Verdict: Is Vintage Vogue Right for Your Space?

Vintage Vogue Benjamin Moore works best for homeowners who want sophisticated drama without the coldness of black or the predictability of standard greens. It rewards good natural light, benefits from warm coordinating elements, and creates spaces that photograph beautifully.

The color isn’t for everyone. If you prefer obviously green rooms, lighter applications, or don’t have the light to support such a dark shade, alternatives like Backwoods or Dark Olive will serve you better.

But if you want a library that feels like old money, a dining room that commands attention, or kitchen cabinets that stop guests mid-sentence—Vintage Vogue delivers. Sample it correctly, pair it thoughtfully, and apply it professionally. The results justify the effort.

For more on luxury interior design in the Hamptons, explore master craftsmanship from local designers and the latest in eco-friendly luxury home trends shaping East End estates.

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