Collingwood and Balboa Mist: the documented difference
Collingwood has an LRV of 61.52; Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist OC-27 is 65.53. The difference is 4.01 points, with Balboa Mist returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Collingwood and Balboa Mist are nearby light warm-gray references with a modest depth difference rather than completely different design roles. Balboa Mist is a pale warm gray with more depth than the lightest off-whites.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Collingwood | Benjamin Moore OC-28 | 61.52 |
| Balboa Mist | Benjamin Moore OC-27 | 65.53 |
The choice beside cream seating and white millwork
Cream seating and white millwork should be viewed together so the gray supports both a soft fabric boundary and a clearer architectural edge.
Set up both candidates with cream seating and white millwork. Use equal-sized boards with the intended finishes and place them in the same orientation. Do not put one directly beside a window and leave the other in shadow. A difference that follows the position rather than the board is a lighting observation, not evidence that the formula changed.
What the comparison can—and cannot—settle
For a second point of reference, Gray Owl is recorded at LRV 64.51. The undertones and neighboring colors covers that related choice.
Check the wall where sofa and trim can be seen together, then compare a cooler gray to clarify the preference. Assess Collingwood and Balboa Mist alone as well as side by side. The unchosen board will not remain in the finished room, and a preference created only by that neighbor may not survive its removal. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Benjamin Moore Collingwood OC-28. The recorded LRV is 61.52. Named comparison values come from the respective manufacturers; material schemes are editorial suggestions.
This guide reviews published color information and proposes practical sample checks. It does not claim first-hand paint testing or customer-review scores. Benjamin Moore does not sponsor or endorse this site. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Confirm the color in a physical sample and select the coating for the actual surface and finish.