ColorplanBenjamin Moore African Violet (2116-50) is a mid-tone purple with a violet undertone and an LRV of 50. For trim, try Mirage White (2116-70).
Room Preview
This photo shows walls only. Photos show the color in a real room's light; your own light will change it.
Suggested trim and ceiling are Benjamin Moore whites that share this color's undertone.
Color Details
| Family | Purple |
| LRV | 50.0 (mid-tone; 0 = black, 100 = pure white) |
| HEX | #C1B9C4 |
| RGB | 193, 185, 196 |
| HSL | 284°, 9%, 75% |
About African Violet
African Violet (2116-50) is a mid-tone purple from Benjamin Moore with a violet undertone. With an LRV of 50, African Violet has visible color without darkening a room much.
North-facing light makes African Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it. It's a good fit for dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. Next to Iced Mauve (2115-50), it's cooler.
How African Violet changes with the light
African Violet has a cool undertone. North light will push it cooler and grayer, while south and west light warm it up. If your room faces north, look at it next to a warm white trim.
North-facing rooms
African Violet has a cool undertone that north light will push cooler and grayer; warm white trim helps balance it.
East-facing rooms
African Violet will look warmer and brighter in the morning and cooler and grayer by afternoon; check a sample at both times.
South-facing rooms
Bright south light shows African Violet close to its true color, slightly lighter and warmer.
West-facing rooms
African Violet looks cool in the morning and warms up in the golden late-afternoon light.
See African Violet in real homes
Photos people have shared of African Violet in their own rooms. Opens Instagram or Pinterest in a new tab.
African Violet equivalents in other brands
The closest color from each brand. ΔE (“delta E”) scores how different two colors look: under 2.5 is very hard to tell apart on a wall, over 5 is clearly different.
Sherwin-Williams
Closest available · ΔE 8.7
Also close: Light French Gray (ΔE 9.5)
Compare side by side →Farrow & Ball
Closest available · ΔE 5.0
Also close: Peignoir (ΔE 7.7)
Compare side by side →Behr
Closest available · ΔE 5.6
Also close: Grape Creme (ΔE 6.2)
Compare side by side →Similar Benjamin Moore colors
African Violet questions
What undertone does African Violet have?
African Violet has a violet undertone, so it reads as a cool color. North-facing light makes African Violet read cooler and slightly darker, while warm south-facing light softens it.
Is African Violet a light or dark color?
African Violet has a light reflectance value (LRV) of 50.0 on a scale where 0 is black and 100 is pure white, which makes it a mid-tone color. With an LRV of 50, African Violet has visible color without darkening a room much.
What is the closest match to African Violet in other paint brands?
Sherwin-Williams: Ash Violet SW 6549 (closest available, ΔE 8.7); Farrow & Ball: Calluna No.270 (closest available, ΔE 5.0); Behr: Dusty Lilac N110-1 (closest available, ΔE 5.6). Matches are calculated with the CIEDE2000 color difference formula; always check a physical sample before buying.
What trim and ceiling color goes with African Violet?
Try Mirage White (2116-70) on both trim and ceiling. It's a Benjamin Moore white that shares African Violet's undertone, so the room feels coordinated without looking stark.
Where does African Violet work best?
African Violet works well in dining rooms, accent walls, front doors and libraries. With an LRV of 50, African Violet has visible color without darkening a room much.
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