Frayed Denim is a calming choice — works as both a whole-house neutral when lightened and a dramatic anchor when deepened to navy. At LRV 76 it reflects plenty of light, which makes it well-suited for north-facing rooms and smaller spaces that benefit from extra brightness. Skip it in low-light north-facing rooms unless you want a deliberately cool, cocooning effect, since blue can read chilly there.
Ref. #D9E4E9 · 238-1DB
Frayed Denim
76%LRV Value
Frayed Denim Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Frayed Denim (238-1DB)? It's a light cool blue — hex #D9E4E9, LRV 76. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Frayed Denim is PPG Baby's Breath — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Cool Mist and PPG Cityscape also close. With a Light Reflectance Value of 76, Frayed Denim reflects a generous amount of light, making it well-suited for north-facing rooms or smaller spaces that benefit from extra brightness. Pair it with cool whites like Chantilly Lace, walnut or rift-cut oak floors, and brushed nickel or polished chrome hardware. Brass accents add warmth for a layered look. 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. Blues stay crisp under 4000K+ cool LEDs. Under 2700K warm bulbs they can read grayer or shift slightly purple — particularly true for mid-tone and saturated blues. 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 Frayed Denim
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Frayed Denim
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Frayed Denim
#D9E4E9
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#858CAD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Frayed Denim
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Frayed Denim 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 Frayed Denim.
More blue colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the blue family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Frayed Denim — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Frayed Denim from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Frayed Denim are Baby's Breath by PPG (a near-identical match), Cool Mist by Valspar (a near-identical match), Cityscape by PPG (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 Frayed Denim'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 Frayed Denim?
Frayed Denim has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 76.1, on a scale where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white. That makes it a light, reflective color that bounces plenty of light back into a room — well-suited to north-facing spaces, hallways, and smaller rooms that need to feel brighter. 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 Frayed Denim
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 Frayed Denim depends on the room. Here's how to choose.