Watermelon Core works as a confident anchor color — best in rooms that can carry visual weight (dining rooms, libraries, accent walls) rather than as a whole-room palette. At LRV 29 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Because it's a fully saturated example, it lands strongest as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than the dominant whole-room color. Skip it where you want a calm, restful feel — red raises visual energy, so it fights bedrooms and small home offices.
Ref. #E0717E · 103-5DB
Watermelon Core
29%LRV Value
Watermelon Core Technical Profile
What color is Dutch Boy Watermelon Core (103-5DB)? It's a deep warm red — hex #E0717E, LRV 29. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Watermelon Core is PPG Strawberry Rouge — a near-identical match on the wall, with Valspar Passion Pink and Vista Paint Lady Love also close. Its LRV of 29 gives Watermelon Core depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Pair it with creamy off-whites like Alabaster for trim, walnut or cherry hardwoods, and brass hardware — the warmth keeps reds from feeling clinical. Deep forest green or navy work as bold accent walls. As a fully saturated example, it reads as a confident statement color — best deployed as a single accent wall or large architectural feature rather than a whole-room dominant. Reds intensify under 2700K-3000K warm bulbs, deepening into wine territory. Under 4000K+ cool LEDs they can read pinker or slightly washed — sample under your actual room lighting before committing. Saturated colors amplify lighting effects more than muted ones: warm bulbs deepen and enrich, cool daylight sharpens and slightly cools the same hex.
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 Watermelon Core
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Watermelon Core
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Watermelon Core
#E0717E
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#C09072
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Watermelon Core
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Watermelon Core 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 Watermelon Core.
More red colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the red family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Watermelon Core — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Watermelon Core from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Watermelon Core are Strawberry Rouge by PPG (a near-identical match), Passion Pink by Valspar (a near-identical match), Lady Love by Vista Paint (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 Watermelon Core'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 Watermelon Core?
Watermelon Core has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 29.2, 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 Watermelon Core
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 Watermelon Core depends on the room. Here's how to choose.