Ref. #694A39 · LM170
Ancient Spice
8%LRV Value
Warm (Golden)Undertone
Ancient Spice Technical Profile
What color is Ancient Spice? It's a dark warm brown with the hex code #694A39. Colors similar to Ancient Spice include Benjamin Moore Java, Vista Paint Bistro Brown, Hirshfield's Hideaway. Ancient Spice has a warm (golden) undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 8, Ancient Spice creates a dramatic, enveloping mood — best on accent walls, dining rooms, and intimate spaces where atmosphere matters more than reflected light. As a warm neutral, Ancient Spice pairs with off-whites for trim, white oak or walnut floors, and brass or warm brushed nickel hardware. Deep green, navy, or terra-cotta all read well as accent colors. Warm neutrals come alive under 2700K bulbs, where their underlying yellow or peach undertones add visible warmth. Under 4000K daylight they read cleaner and slightly cooler.
Colors Similar to Ancient Spice
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Ancient Spice
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Ancient Spice
#694A39
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#807A55
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Ancient Spice
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Ancient Spice 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 Kilz Colors
Other Kilz colors close to Ancient Spice.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Ancient Spice — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Ancient Spice have?
Ancient Spice by Kilz has a warm (golden) undertone and belongs to the brown color family.
What colors match Ancient Spice from other brands?
The closest matches are Java by Benjamin Moore (#684A3B), Bistro Brown by Vista Paint (#654737), Hideaway by Hirshfield's (#654637). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Ancient Spice?
Ancient Spice has an LRV of 8.2, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Ancient Spice
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.
Understanding Paint Color Undertones
Why Ancient Spice's warm (golden) undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.