Hickory Stick
What Hickory Stick Actually Looks Like
Hickory Stick is a dusty, muted rose-brown that sits comfortably between pink and clay. It reads warm and earthy rather than bright, with enough depth to feel intentional on a wall without going dark. In strong natural light it softens toward a pinkish tan. In low or artificial light it deepens into a richer, almost terracotta-adjacent brown.
Hickory Stick Undertones
The dominant pull here is red-pink, tempered by a brown base that keeps it from reading as a true blush or mauve. It leans toward the rosy side of clay. On south-facing walls with warm afternoon light, the pink can become quite pronounced. In north-facing rooms or under cool LED bulbs, the brown base takes over and the color settles into something closer to a dusty sienna.
Where Hickory Stick Works Best
This color has enough depth, with an LRV in the low twenties, that it works well as an accent wall color, in smaller rooms where you want warmth and presence, or as an all-over color in a dining room or bedroom where lower light is welcome. It can also work on exterior trim or shutters paired with a natural wood or cream body.
Where to put Hickory Stick
Hickory Stick earns its keep in a dining room. The warm, earthy depth creates an intimate atmosphere that flatters candlelight and warm bulb tones. Use it on all four walls and let natural wood furniture and cream or linen textiles do the balancing work.
In a bedroom, this color reads cozy and grounded. It works especially well in rooms that get warm morning or afternoon light. Pair it with soft neutral bedding and warm-toned wood or rattan pieces to keep the palette cohesive.
If you want to test the color without committing to all four walls, an accent wall behind a bed or sofa is a good entry point. At this LRV range it has enough presence to anchor a room without overwhelming it.
Hickory Stick works as a shutter or trim color on homes with warm beige, cream, or natural cedar siding. It reads as a sophisticated alternative to standard brown or red, with a clay quality that photographs well in natural light.
What to Pair With Hickory Stick
No specific Benjamin Moore coordinating colors are listed in our database for this color. As a general approach, Hickory Stick pairs well with warm off-whites, soft creams, deep charcoals, and natural wood tones. Avoid cool bright whites, which will pull the pink undertones in an unflattering direction.
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Colors that clash with Hickory Stick
A stark cool white on trim or ceilings will pull the pink undertones in Hickory Stick into an unflattering territory, making the wall color look more pink and less earthy than intended.
Cool-toned blues and grays fight with the red-pink base of this color, creating a contrast that feels more jarring than intentional.
At this depth and with these warm undertones, a high-gloss finish will amplify the reflectivity and make the pink notes more prominent than most people want.
Common questions
The LRV is 21.3, which puts it solidly in the medium-dark range. Rooms will feel noticeably darker with this color on all four walls, which is part of its appeal in intimate spaces. If you need a brighter room, consider limiting it to an accent wall or trim.
Yes, Benjamin Moore offers this color in both interior and exterior formulas, which is why it works as a wall color indoors and as a shutter or trim color outside.
It depends on your light. In warm, south-facing rooms with afternoon sun or incandescent and warm LED bulbs, the pink side comes forward. In north-facing rooms or under cool daylight bulbs, the brown base dominates and the color reads more like a muted clay. Always sample it in your specific room before committing.
Eggshell is the most versatile choice for living and dining spaces. Matte works well in bedrooms where you want the color to feel more velvety. Avoid flat in high-traffic areas since it will not hold up to cleaning as well.