Mid-Century Gem is the most flexible accent family in residential paint — works as both a whole-room neutral when desaturated and a confident statement when saturated. At LRV 39 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it only if your fixed finishes (flooring, stone, tile) already lean hard warm or cool enough to clash — otherwise it's one of the most forgiving families.
Ref. #81B39C · DET535
Mid-Century Gem
39%LRV Value
Mid-Century Gem Technical Profile
What color is Dunn-Edwards Mid-Century Gem (DET535)? It's a medium cool green — hex #81B39C, LRV 39. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Mid-Century Gem is Kilz Fragrant Herbs — a near-identical match on the wall, with Farrow & Ball Arsenic and Behr Cloud Burst also close. Its LRV of 39 gives Mid-Century Gem depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with off-whites like Simply White, walnut or rift-cut oak floors, and mixed metals — brass for warmth, matte black for grounding. Terracotta and rust accents add warm contrast. At mid saturation, this color sits at a flexible mid-point — bold enough to anchor a room without dominating, and pairs cleanly with both crisp and creamy whites. Greens shift the most under different light. 2700K warms them toward olive or yellow-green; 4000K daylight reveals their true tone. Bluer greens especially benefit from north-facing daylight. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
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Colors Similar to Mid-Century Gem
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Mid-Century Gem
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Mid-Century Gem
#81B39C
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#85ACAD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Mid-Century Gem
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Mid-Century Gem Room Palettes
Color schemes built around this color — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Warm & Inviting
Warm tones with cozy appeal — welcoming and comfortable
Cool & Calm
Cool hues with soft contrast — serene and restful
Bold Contrast
Complementary hues with punch — dynamic and striking
Similar Dunn-Edwards Colors
Other Dunn-Edwards colors close to Mid-Century Gem.
More green colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the green family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Mid-Century Gem — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Mid-Century Gem from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Mid-Century Gem are Fragrant Herbs by Kilz (a near-identical match), Arsenic by Farrow & Ball (a near-identical match), Cloud Burst by Behr (a near-identical match). These are ranked with the CIEDE2000 color-difference formula, which scores how similar two colors actually look to the eye rather than matching them by name — so they're the best options for getting Mid-Century Gem's look in a brand your local store carries. Always confirm with a physical sample, since sheen and lighting shift the final result.
What is the LRV of Mid-Century Gem?
Mid-Century Gem has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 39.3, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a mid-depth color with real presence — strong on accent walls, libraries, and rooms with good natural light. LRV is the most reliable guide to how light or dark a paint will read in a real room — more dependable than the swatch on your screen, which varies by monitor.
Explore More with Mid-Century Gem
Related Reading
How to Match Paint Colors Across Brands
The science behind Delta E and CIEDE2000 — find a Behr equivalent of any Sherwin-Williams shade, or a Benjamin Moore alternative when your store is out of stock.
Paint Sheen Guide
Flat, eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss — the right finish for Mid-Century Gem depends on the room. Here's how to choose.