Soot

The Basics

What are people saying about this color?

Soot is a saturated black. Its RGB values are 85, 94, 95, meaning it leans slightly blue. The cooler undertones shine next to bluish-gray hues, and this paint looks extra crisp against a bright white. Soot is slightly higher on the LRV scale than true blacks. It takes on a charcoal-y appearance, which can be inviting for those who don’t want the intensity of a full-bodied black.

brickandbatten.com

Soot is more of a dark charcoal color with warm blue/grey undertones. It adds such a beautiful warmth to a space when paired with light wood like in the image below.

somuchbetterwithage.com

A moody gray-black that works beautifully for interior walls without feeling too cold.

studio-mcgee.com

What kind of spaces does it work best in?

This shade can work in contemporary homes in any room that can spare the light. It’s going to read more gray/navy in exterior applications and in rooms with a lot of natural light.

Where could you expect to see it?

This is a popular color family for the exterior of modern and Victorian homes, especially in urban settings. It’s hip and elegant while also calming.

Who shouldn't pick this color?

Depending on how you use it, this might not be the most timeless shade to utilize. On furniture, cabinetry, wainscotting, and ceilings it’s probably more timeless than on bedroom and bathroom walls, or on home exteriors.

Any pro tips?

What colors does it go well with?

What's the LRV?

4.11. LRV measures the Light Reflectance Value, meaning the percentage of light (0-100) that bounces off a surface. 100 being purest white and 0 being purest black. Like other blacks, Soot has a very low LRV, meaning it reflects a very small amount of light.

Does it work as an exterior color?

Yes.

Tags

What are some similar popular colors?