# Historic Paint Colors VS. Munsell Colors

- Link: https://www.oldhouseguy.com/historic-paint-munsell/
- Published: 2020-08-16T14:53:10-04:00
- Author: Ken Roginski

Roger Moss, author of [Victorian Exterior Decoration ](https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805023135/kenroginskihisto)
and many other books researched historic paint colors used by period for various
styles of architecture.

Actual historic colors from historic brochures were assigned Munsell color codes.

In 1981 these color codes were then re-created in the Sherwin Williams Historic 
Color Pallet – Heritage Colors 1820-1920.

Unfortunately since then many of the colors were changed or discontinued. All colors
can be mixed but color swatches are not available for all colors.

![munscell color versus sherwin williams historic colors](https://www.oldhouseguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/2822-downing-sand.jpg)

Munsell color is the authentic historic color. Behr Suede Beige is a closer match
than SW Downing Sand.

## Munsell Color System

Let me first TRY to explain what this is. The Munsell Color System is a 3-dimensional
model that accurately represents color space in nature, and also provides a simple
coding system for accurately describing any visible color.

**Hue, Value and Chroma**

Every visible color has three attributes, simply defined as:

**Hue:** the “name” of the color, such as red, blue, yellow, green, etc.
 **Value:**
the lightness or darkness of the color. **Chroma:** the intensity of the color.

The Munsell coding system creates a standard for all colors.

## **Modified Historic Colors**

I have discovered that the Roger Moss colors here are now “modified” versions of
actual historic paint colors used. There are colors from Benjamin Moore, Behr, and
other manufacturers that are more authentic matches for certain colors. Although
possibly not as appealing, you should have the option to choose colors that are 
as accurate as possible if historic authenticity is what you want.

If the colors you chose for your house come from the Roger Moss color chart and 
you would like to see what an more authentic color replacement would be, the replacement
color is listed below.

Below is a chart sorted in order by Sherwin Williams color numbers with the color
name next to it. Find the color you are searching for by SW color number. If it 
is not listed then there is no replacement color.

For those listed below there is a number showing the difference the recommended 
color is from the Munsell color. The Sherwin Williams colors in the left column 
have a greater difference than those replacement colors.  This means that these 
colors are NOT a perfect match to the Munsell color but are still a better match
than the Sherwin Williams color we are replacing.

Abbreviations below are: bm=Benjamin Moore, sw=Sherwin Williams

  |  Sherwin Williams # |  SW Color Name |   |  Replacement Color Name |  Replacement # |  Munsell difference |  
 |  0030 |  Colonial Yellow |   |  bm york harbor yellow |  2154-40 |  2.5 |  
 |  0043 |  Peristyle Brass |   |  bm everard gold |  cw 435 |  2.3 |  
 |  0067 |  Belvedere Cream |   |  sw peace yellow |  2857 |  2 |  
 |  2803 |  Rookwood Terra Cotta Trim |   |  sw red cent |  6341 |  1.4 |  
 |  2804 |  Renwick Rose Beige |   |  bm colorado clay |  ac-15 |  2.1 |  
 |  2805 |  Renwick Beige |   |  bm hint of mauve |  2097-50 |  0.8 |  
 |  2806 |  Rookwood Brown |   |  bm penny |  2163-30 |  1.8 |  
 |  2807 |  Rookwood Medium Brown Trim |   |  bm satchel |  AF-240 |  2.6 |  
 |  2808 |  Rookwood Dark Brown Trim |   |  behr death by chocolate |  MQ1-54 |  2.5 |  
 |  2809 |  Rookwood Shutter Green |   |  essex green |   |  2.9 |  
 |  2810 |  Rookwood Sash Green |   |  BM Mediterranean Teal |  2123-10 |  1.7 |  
 |  2811 |  Rookwood Blue Green |   |  bm caribbean teal |  2123-20 |  1.2 |  
 |  2812 |  Rookwood Jade |   |  sw jade dragon |  9129 |  1.9 |  
 |  2813 |  Downing Straw |   |  bm twilight gold |  1069 |  1.4 |  
 |  2814 |  Rookwood Antique Gold |   |  BM Autum Leaf |  1131 |  1.8 |  
 |  2815 |  Renwick Olive |   |  bm raccoon hollow |  978 |  1.4 |  
 |  2816 |  Rookwood Dark Green |   |  BM Cabbage Patch |  2141-20 |  1.8 |  
 |  2817 |  Rookwood Amber Trim |   |  bm golden harvest |  2157-20 |  2.4 |  
 |  2819 |  Downing Slate Trim |   |  bm Lead gray |  2131-30 |  1.2 |  
 |  2820 |  Downing Earth |   |  sw tiki hut |  7509 |  0.8 |  
 |  2821 |  Downing Stone |   |  bm storm cloud gray |  2140-40 |  1 |  
 |  2822 |  Downing Sand |   |

SW Lightweight Beige  and

BM White Oaks

 |

SW – 6092

BM-1080

 |

SW 1.5

BM 1.5

 |  
 |  2823 |  Rookwood Clay |   |  valspar lone log |  327a-4 |  1.5 |  
 |  2824 |  Renwick Golden Oak |   |  sw caramelo |  9106 |  1.7 |  
 |  2829 |  Classical White |   |  bm royal silk |  939 |   |  
 |  2832 |  Colonial Revival Gray |   |  bm gull wing gray |  2134-50 |  1.2 |  
 |  6386 |  Napery |   |  bm peach melba |  78 |  0.5 |  
 |  6397 |  Nankeen |   |  behr indian spice |  M300-6D |  2.3 |  
 |  6424 |  Tansey Green |   |  bm frasier fur |  503 |  3 |  
 |  6696 |  Quilt Gold |   |  Gold Leaf |  BM 201 |  1.6 |  
 |  7608 |  Adrift |   |  sw bluesy note |  9064 |  1.7 |  
 |  9014 |  Pollen Powder |   |  bm broadway lights |  298 |  1.5 |  
 |  9107 |  Uber Umber |   |  valspar Sepia |  323-6 |   |