Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

No. 281

Stiffkey Blue is a deep navy with cool blue-gray undertones and a noticeably muted base. With an LRV of 34.7, it reflects limited light and reads richer in shaded or artificial lighting. The hue avoids strong saturation, which keeps it from appearing overly bold for cabinetry or feature walls.

Its undertone structure places it closer to blue-gray than classic navy. It pairs cleanly with Farrow & Ball whites such as All White and Wimborne White, while warmer neutrals like Joa’s White soften the contrast. Deeper companions such as Hague Blue or olive-leaning greens create a darker, layered scheme.

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Brand

Farrow & Ball

Code

No. 281

Stiffkey Blue in Real Homes (42 Photos)

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Stiffkey Blue in Different Light

Light temperature is measured in Kelvin: a warm 2700K bulb pulls colors toward yellow, while 5000K daylight reads cooler and truer. Check the color at the time of day you actually use the room.

Artificial Lighting

Bedroom scene to simulate Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue under artificial light

Light Temperature: 2700K

Natural Lighting

Living room scene to simulate Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue under natural light

Light Temperature: 4500K

Technical Specifications

Undertones

Type

Blue

Strength

Medium

Temperature

cool

Hue Angle

209°

Cyan Family

Lightness

36%

Dark

Saturation

18%

Muted

LRV

34.7

0%100%

Very Dark

Dark

Medium

Light

Very Light

White

LRV measures how much light a color reflects, from 0 (black) to 100 (pure white). Below about 50 a color needs good lighting to avoid going flat, 60 and up helps brighten a room, and most whites sit above 80.

Color Position

Saturation →

Lightness →

Color Codes

HEX

#4A5B6B

RGB Decimal

74, 91, 107

RGB Percent

29.0%, 35.7%, 42.0%

HSL

209.1, 18.2%, 35.5%

HSV

209.1, 30.8%, 42.0%

CMYK

30.8%, 15.0%, 0.0%, 58.0%

YIQ

87.7, -15.3, 1.4

XYZ

9.22, 10.00, 15.35

CIE Lab

37.84, -2.35, -11.27

CIE Luv

37.84, -8.95, -14.72

Hunter Lab

31.62, -1.66, -9.08

Decimal

4873067

Coordinating Colors and Color Palettes

Darker Shades

Monochromatic dark

Stiffkey Blue Motor City Blue Gotham Gray Polo Blue

Lighter Shades

Monochromatic light

Stiffkey Blue Skinny Jeans Versatile Blue November Skies

Complementary

Opposite on color wheel

Stiffkey Blue Brown Horse Sealskin Light Bronzer

Analogous

Adjacent colors

Stiffkey Blue Imperial Purple Tealish Proper Purple

Cool Shades

Cool spectrum

Stiffkey Blue Imperial Purple Dark Lilac Proper Purple

Closest Paint Matches

Cross-brand matches are close, never exact. Each brand uses different bases and sheens, so sample before you buy gallons.

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Van Deusen Blue

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Kensington Blue

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Valspar

Dark Night

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Sherwin Williams

Tempe Star

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Behr

Observatory

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Evening Dove

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Behr

Infinite Deep Sea

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Valspar

Sapphire Earbobs

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Newburyport Blue

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Vermont Slate

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Valspar

When Worlds Collide

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Glidden

Goblin

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Farrow & Ball

Coppice Blue

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Behr

Bossa Nova

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Glidden

Oceania

Farrow & Ball

Stiffkey Blue

Benjamin Moore

Indi Go-Go