Stiffkey Blue
Farrow & Ball
No. 281
Stiffkey Blue is an inky navy with a hint of gray, named after the dark mud of Stiffkey beach on the Norfolk coast. It leans slightly softer and dustier than Hague Blue, which makes it a favorite for drenched dining rooms, bedrooms, and cabinetry where a deep blue should feel atmospheric rather than crisp. Warm whites, antique brass, and rich wood tones are its natural companions.
Some brands don't share official hex codes. The digital values shown here are careful approximations. Always confirm with a physical sample.
Close matches
Sherwin-Williams: Mineral Gray SW 2740 (#515763) · Bunglehouse Blue SW 0048 (#47626F) · Indigo Batik SW 7602 (#3E5063)
Benjamin Moore: Van Deusen Blue HC-156 (#485B6E) · Newburyport Blue HC-155 (#465566) · Evening Dove 2128-30 (#515A67)
Similar Farrow & Ball colors: Wine Dark No. 308 (#5C6576) · Hague Blue No. 30 (#3F4D57) · Coppice Blue No. G9 (#48646A)
Common questions
What is the hex code for Stiffkey Blue?
The hex code for Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue No. 281 is #4A5B6B. In RGB that is 74, 91, 107. Use these values to reproduce Stiffkey Blue in SketchUp, Canva, Photoshop, Figma, or rendering software for client presentations and mood boards. Farrow & Ball does not publish official hex codes, so this value is a close third-party approximation.
What is the Benjamin Moore equivalent of Stiffkey Blue?
The closest Benjamin Moore match for Stiffkey Blue is Van Deusen Blue HC-156 (#485B6E). No cross-brand match is exact, because each brand mixes its own pigment formulas. Always confirm with a physical sample before specifying a substitute.
Is Stiffkey Blue warm or cool?
Stiffkey Blue is cool, with a muted gray undertone that tempers the navy. At an LRV of approximately 10, it sits deep in the dark range and will read almost black at night under warm bulbs. Daylight pulls out more of the blue. It suits rooms where you want enveloping color, and it pairs well with warm metals and creamy whites that offset its coolness.
Why does Stiffkey Blue look different on screen than on the wall?
Screens emit light while paint reflects it, so a hex code cannot capture how lighting, sheen, and surrounding colors shift paint in a real room. Treat #4A5B6B as accurate for digital design work, and use physical samples for final approval. Farrow & Ball does not publish official hex codes, so this value is a close third-party approximation.
What LRV does Stiffkey Blue have?
Stiffkey Blue has a Light Reflectance Value of approximately 10, meaning it reflects about 10% of visible light. That low value makes it a dramatic, light-absorbing choice that works well with strong natural light or as an accent.
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