Ref. #5C5042 · 1022-7
Star Anise
8%LRV Value
NeutralUndertone
Star Anise Technical Profile
What color is Star Anise? It's a dark warm brown with the hex code #5C5042. Colors similar to Star Anise include Hirshfield's Brown Suede, Vista Paint Stony Field, Benjamin Moore Char Brown. Star Anise has a neutral undertone, which affects how it pairs with trim, flooring, and adjacent wall colors. With an LRV of 8, Star Anise 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, Star Anise 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 Star Anise
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Star Anise
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Star Anise
#5C5042
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#7C7D54
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Star Anise
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Star Anise 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 PPG Colors
Other PPG colors close to Star Anise.
More brown colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the brown family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Star Anise — Frequently Asked Questions
What undertone does Star Anise have?
Star Anise by PPG has a neutral undertone and belongs to the brown color family.
What colors match Star Anise from other brands?
The closest matches are Brown Suede by Hirshfield's (#5B4F41), Stony Field by Vista Paint (#5D5142), Char Brown by Benjamin Moore (#5B5041). Always verify with physical samples.
What is the LRV of Star Anise?
Star Anise has an LRV of 8.4, where 0 is pure black and 100 is pure white.
Explore More with Star Anise
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 Star Anise's neutral undertone matters more than its surface color — and how to read undertones in any paint chip.