Contemporary Mauve reads as warm and personal — works in bedrooms, nurseries, and any space where softness and warmth are the goal. At LRV 35 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it as a whole-room color in spaces meant to feel neutral or understated — it reads soft and personal, best as an accent.
Ref. #C094A1 · 201-4DB
Contemporary Mauve
35%LRV Value
Contemporary Mauve Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Contemporary Mauve (201-4DB)? It's a medium warm pink — hex #C094A1, LRV 35. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Contemporary Mauve is Valspar Edwardian Rose — a near-identical match on the wall, with Sherwin-Williams Rosé and Behr Retro Pink also close. Its LRV of 35 gives Contemporary Mauve depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with warm whites like Simply White, blonde wood floors, and brass or gold hardware. Deep green or forest accents add contrast that keeps it from feeling too sweet. 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. Under 2700K warm bulbs pinks and magentas glow warmly, leaning coral. Under 4000K cool light they read more vibrant — important for nursery and bedroom planning where bulb choice changes the mood. At mid saturation the lighting shift is moderate but real — sample under both warm-bulb evening light and cool-daylight morning light before committing.
Use this color
Get this color
Some sample and supply links are affiliate links — if you buy through them, Paint Color HQ may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep the site free.
Colors Similar to Contemporary Mauve
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Contemporary Mauve
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Contemporary Mauve
#C094A1
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#AD8D85
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Contemporary Mauve
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Contemporary Mauve 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 Dutch Boy Colors
Other Dutch Boy colors close to Contemporary Mauve.
More pink colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the pink family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Contemporary Mauve — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Contemporary Mauve from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Contemporary Mauve are Edwardian Rose by Valspar (a near-identical match), Rosé by Sherwin-Williams (a very close match), Retro Pink by Behr (a very close 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 Contemporary Mauve'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 Contemporary Mauve?
Contemporary Mauve has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 35.0, 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 Contemporary Mauve
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 Contemporary Mauve depends on the room. Here's how to choose.