Windmill Blue works as a warm neutral anchor — pairs cleanly with most existing palettes and reads forgiving across lighting conditions. At LRV 27 it carries real depth without going dark — a good choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. Skip it if you want a crisp, cool-modern look, or in rooms with heavy north light that can pull its warmth slightly muddy.
Ref. #858CA5 · 50BB 26/130
Windmill Blue
27%LRV Value
Windmill Blue Technical Profile
What color is PPG Windmill Blue (50BB 26/130)? It's a deep warm neutral — hex #858CA5, LRV 27. The closest cross-brand equivalent to Windmill Blue is Valspar Merlin — a very close match, with Vista Paint Pale Orchid and Sherwin-Williams Dusty Heather also close. Its LRV of 27 gives Windmill Blue depth without going dark, which makes it a strong choice for accent walls, libraries, and rooms with abundant natural light. As a warm neutral, Windmill Blue 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. As a deeper neutral, Windmill Blue reads as a confident anchor — strongest on accent walls, cabinetry, and moody whole rooms that get enough natural light to keep it from going flat. 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. Deeper neutrals can read close to black in low light, so preview Windmill Blue in the room's actual evening lighting, not just at midday.
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Colors Similar to Windmill Blue
Closest digital match based on color values. Always verify with physical samples.
Recommended Pairings
Colors That Work With Windmill Blue
Timeless pairing with clean white trim and a tonal accent wall
Side Walls
Windmill Blue
#858CA5
Accent Wall
Tonal Shift
A warm shift that adds depth without clashing.
#9085AD
Trim & Molding
Pure White
Crisp white trim for a clean, traditional look.
#FFFFFF
Color Palettes for Windmill Blue
Color harmonies based on color theory — each swatch links to the closest matching paint.
Opposite on the color wheel — creates vibrant contrast
Windmill Blue 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 Windmill Blue.
More neutral colors from other brands
Cross-brand colors in the neutral family — useful when you want a similar look from a different brand.
Windmill Blue — Frequently Asked Questions
What colors match Windmill Blue from other brands?
The closest cross-brand equivalents to Windmill Blue are Merlin by Valspar (a very close match), Pale Orchid by Vista Paint (a very close match), Dusty Heather by Sherwin-Williams (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 Windmill Blue'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 Windmill Blue?
Windmill Blue has a Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of 26.5, 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 Windmill Blue
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 Windmill Blue depends on the room. Here's how to choose.