Carolina Gull (2138-40) by Benjamin Moore brings the perfect balance of gray and green tones to any space.
This mid-toned paint color offers a sophisticated alternative to standard sage greens, making it a reliable choice for interior and exterior applications.
The color’s versatility shines through its ability to complement various design styles, from modern to traditional. An LRV of 27.41 provides enough depth to make a statement while maintaining a subtle presence that works well in any room.
This comprehensive guide explores Carolina Gull’s unique characteristics, practical applications, and ideal color pairings.
Whether planning a kitchen cabinet makeover, considering an exterior refresh, or looking to create a calming bedroom retreat, you’ll discover how this adaptable shade can transform your space.
Characteristics of Carolina Gull Benjamin Moore
Understanding the Base Tone and Undertones
Carolina Gull by Benjamin Moore offers a sophisticated gray-green base that calms any space. Its subtle undertones shift between cool and warm depending on the lighting conditions, making it a highly flexible paint choice.
The color maintains composure throughout the day, never leaning too heavily into its gray or green components. This balance helps create grounded yet fresh spaces, offering a modern take on traditional sage green shades.
Light Reflectance Value and Room Impact
With an LRV of 27.41, Carolina Gull sits comfortably in the medium range of the light reflectance scale. This rating means it absorbs more light than it reflects, creating a solid presence on walls without appearing too dark or heavy.
In north-facing rooms, the color takes on a cooler personality, highlighting its gray undertones. South-facing spaces bring out warmer aspects, while east and west exposures create interesting color variations throughout the day.
Perfect Spaces for Carolina Gull
This shade proves its worth in living rooms, creating a welcoming atmosphere without overwhelming the space. It provides the perfect backdrop for bedroom relaxation and works well with modern and traditional furnishings.
Kitchen and bathroom applications show Carolina Gull’s practical side. The color protects against moisture and frequent cleaning, making it ideal for these high-traffic areas.
Its subtle depth also makes it a strong choice for exterior applications, where it maintains its character even under direct sunlight.
Using Carolina Gull in Home Decor
1. Living Room Design
Carolina Gull creates a welcoming atmosphere in living spaces without dominating the room. The color’s balanced undertones provide an ideal backdrop for neutral and colorful furniture pieces.
Natural light enhances its depth throughout the day, keeping the space fresh. Family rooms benefit from its durability, as the color maintains its integrity even in high-traffic areas.
2. Kitchen Transformation
Kitchen cabinets painted in Carolina Gull offer a sophisticated alternative to standard white. The color pairs beautifully with countertop materials, from light quartz to rich butcher block.
Wall applications in kitchens create a cohesive look when combined with white or wood cabinets. The shade works particularly well with brass or chrome hardware, offering flexibility in fixture choices.
3. Bathroom Serenity
When painted in Carolina Gull, bathroom walls take on a spa-like quality. The color maintains its composure in natural and artificial light, creating a consistent look throughout the day.
The shade pairs wonderfully with white fixtures and natural stone elements. Its resistance to moisture makes it practical for bathroom applications while maintaining its sophisticated appearance.
4. Bedroom Retreat
Carolina Gull’s soothing qualities benefit bedrooms, creating a perfect sanctuary for rest. The color provides enough visual interest while supporting various bedding colors and styles.
Accent walls in Carolina Gull can define sleeping areas without overwhelming the space. The shade creates a beautiful backdrop for artwork and decorative elements while maintaining a calming atmosphere.
Carolina Gull in Exterior Design
Carolina Gull showcases exceptional performance as an exterior paint color, maintaining its rich character under direct sunlight without washing out like lighter green shades.
The color’s balanced gray-green tones create perfect harmony with various building materials, from brick and stone to fiber cement and vinyl siding.
Its medium depth helps conceal minor surface imperfections while adding sophisticated visual interest to exterior facades.
When paired with white trim, Carolina Gull creates a classic contrast that highlights architectural features like window frames and cornices.
Adding charcoal or deep navy accents on shutters and doors provides striking focal points that enhance the home’s overall appeal.
This versatile shade proves its worth by creating cohesive exterior designs that stand up beautifully to different weather conditions.
Similar Colors to Carolina Gull Benjamin Moore
Comparing Benjamin Moore’s Alternatives
Cushing Green is a close relative of Carolina Gull but has more saturation in its green tones. Its deeper color intensity makes it better suited for spaces seeking a bolder statement.
Flora offers a lighter take on the gray-green family with an LRV of 39.18. This higher light reflectance creates a brighter atmosphere, making it more suitable for smaller spaces that need to feel open and airy.
October Mist, with its LRV of 46.33, provides another alternative. The significantly lighter tone maintains the sage-like quality but presents a softer appearance on the walls.
This gentler approach works particularly well in spaces that receive limited natural light.
Comparable Shades from Other Brands
Sherwin Williams Willowleaf is the closest match to Carolina Gull across other paint brands. The similarity in their base tones makes them nearly interchangeable, though slight variations may appear under different lighting conditions.
Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog offers another option with an LRV of 30. The slightly higher light reflectance creates a marginally lighter appearance while maintaining the sophisticated gray-green balance that makes these colors appealing.
Choosing Between Similar Shades
Room size plays a crucial role in selecting between these alternatives. Smaller spaces might benefit from lighter options like Flora or October Mist to create an open feeling. Larger rooms can handle the deeper tones of Carolina Gull or Cushing Green without feeling closed in.
Natural light exposure should guide your final decision. South-facing rooms can support any of these options, while north-facing spaces might benefit from lighter alternatives to maintain brightness throughout the day.
Best Complementary Colors for Carolina Gull
Here’s a comprehensive guide to colors that pair well with Carolina Gull:
White and Neutral Pairings
| Color Name | Color Family | LRV | Best Use | Pairing Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Peak White | White | 85.42 | Trim, Ceilings | Creates clean contrast |
| Simply White | Warm White | 89.52 | Trim, Adjacent Walls | Soft, natural transition |
| Cloud White | Creamy White | 87.35 | Millwork, Doors | Traditional Elegance |
| Soft Chamois | Warm Neutral | 76.12 | Adjacent Walls | Gentle flow between spaces |
| Pale Oak | Light Beige | 69.89 | Connected Rooms | Subtle warmth |
Deep Accent Colors
| Color Name | Color Family | LRV | Best Use | Pairing Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hale Navy | Navy Blue | 8.13 | Accent Walls, Furniture | Dramatic contrast |
| Black Forest Green | Dark Green | 7.05 | Built-ins, Doors | Rich sophistication |
| Iron Mountain | Dark Gray | 8.85 | Exterior Accents | Modern contrast |
| Wrought Iron | Soft Black | 6.16 | Window Frames | Architectural definition |
Coordinating Mid-Tones
| Color Name | Color Family | LRV | Best Use | Pairing Effect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gray Owl | Light Gray | 65.77 | Adjacent Rooms | Versatile transition |
| Edgecomb Gray | Greige | 63.88 | Open Floor Plans | Balanced flow |
| Nantucket Gray | Warm Gray | 34.64 | Accent Areas | Subtle coordination |
| Light Khaki | Neutral | 48.82 | Connected Spaces | Warm transition |
Color Combination Notes:
- All LRV values indicate how light or dark a color appears
- Higher LRV numbers mean lighter colors (100 = pure white)
- Lower LRV numbers mean darker colors (0 = pure black)
- Choose combinations based on the amount of natural light in your space
- Consider the room’s purpose when selecting the color intensity
Maintenance and Care for Carolina Gull Paint
1. Best Finish Options
Carolina Gull performs well in several finishes to suit different needs.
Eggshell offers an ideal balance for interior walls, providing a subtle sheen that helps with cleaning while masking minor wall imperfections.
Satin finish works best in high-moisture areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
This finish level enhances durability against water spots and makes regular cleaning easier without appearing too glossy.
2. Cleaning Requirements
Regular dusting with a soft cloth prevents dirt buildup on Carolina Gull walls.
For tougher spots, a gentle solution of warm water and mild soap removes most stains without affecting the color’s appearance.
Kitchen areas may require more frequent cleaning due to cooking residue.
A soft sponge with light pressure helps maintain the paint’s finish while removing typical kitchen grime. Avoiding harsh cleaners prevents damage to the paint’s surface and keeps the color looking fresh.
3. Touch-up Strategies
Keep leftover paint properly sealed for future touch-ups.
Note the specific finish and batch number to ensure consistency when matching becomes necessary. Small touch-ups blend best using the same application method as the original paint job.
For best results, touch up entire wall sections from corner to corner.
This approach helps avoid noticeable differences in sheen or texture that might occur with spot touch-ups. Fresh paint should be applied using the same nap roller or brush type as the original.
Cost Consideration and Expenses
Understanding the full cost of using Carolina Gull helps with project planning. Below is a detailed breakdown of expenses for different Benjamin Moore paint finishes and project requirements.
Paint Prices by Finish
| Paint Type & Finish | Size (Gallon) | Price Range (USD) | Coverage (sq. Ft) | Recommended Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aura® Eggshell | 1 | $80-85 | 350-400 | Interior walls, low-traffic areas |
| Aura® Satin | 1 | $82-87 | 350-400 | Kitchen, bathroom, high-moisture areas |
| Aura® Semi-Gloss | 1 | $84-89 | 350-400 | Trim doors, cabinets |
| Regal® Select Eggshell | 1 | $65-70 | 350-400 | Interior walls, general use |
| ben® Eggshell | 1 | $45-50 | 350-400 | Budget-friendly option |
Project Cost Estimates
| Project Type | Average Room Size | Gallons Needed | Total Paint Cost* | Additional Supplies** | Total Project Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Room | 400 sq ft | 2 | $130-170 | $50-75 | $180-245 |
| Kitchen Cabinets | 200 sq ft | 1-2 | $84-178 | $100-150 | $184-328 |
| Home Exterior | 2000 sq ft | 8-10 | $520-890 | $200-300 | $720-1,190 |
| Accent Wall | 120 sq ft | 1 | $65-85 | $30-50 | $95-135 |
*Based on Regal® Select pricing **Includes primer, brushes, rollers, tape, drop cloths
Additional Cost Factors
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Primer | $25-35/gallon | Required for bare surfaces or color changes |
| Professional Labor | $2-4/sq ft | Varies by location and project complexity |
| Brushes & Rollers | $20-40 | Quality tools for best results |
| Painter’s Tape | $5-10/roll | For clean edges and trim protection |
| Drop Cloths | $10-20 | Surface protection |
| Paint Samples | $10-15 each | Recommended before full purchase |
Note: Prices may vary by location and dealer. Always check with your local Benjamin Moore retailer for current pricing and available discounts.
Professional installation costs can vary significantly based on your location and project requirements.
Conclusion
Carolina Gull is a thoughtful choice for homeowners seeking a paint color that combines sophistication with practicality.
Its balanced gray-green tones create spaces that feel current and timeless, while its medium depth provides the perfect amount of color without overwhelming a room.
Before starting your painting project, test Carolina Gull in your space using sample boards. Observe how it looks during different times of day, as natural light can enhance its various undertones.
Consider the existing elements in your room, from wood tones to metal finishes, as this versatile shade works beautifully with most materials.
Ready to transform your space? Pick up Benjamin Moore paint samples today and see how Carolina Gull can enhance your home.
For personalized guidance, consult with a local Benjamin Moore retailer or interior designer to ensure the best results for your specific project.