Old Glory
What Old Glory Actually Looks Like
Old Glory is a bold, full-bodied navy. It sits in the deeper end of the blue spectrum, the kind of color that reads as a confident statement rather than a background. In bright natural light it shows its true blue character clearly. In dim or artificial light it darkens considerably and can feel almost inky. This is not a soft or hazy blue. It carries real weight on a wall.
Old Glory Undertones
Old Glory reads as a relatively straightforward navy with cool blue tones at its core. It does not lean strongly green or purple in most lighting, though like any deep blue it can shift slightly depending on what surrounds it. Warm incandescent lighting can bring out a slightly deeper, richer quality, while cool daylight keeps it clean and true.
Where Old Glory Works Best
Because of its low light reflectance, Old Glory works best in spaces where drama and depth are the goal rather than brightness. It suits accent walls, library or study walls, dining rooms where evening lighting flatters dark colors, and exterior trim or shutters where a sharp navy reads crisply against lighter siding. In a small, windowless room it will make the space feel enclosed, so go in with that expectation.
Where to put Old Glory
A deep navy on all four walls of a dining room is a proven choice, and Old Glory delivers that enveloping quality that candlelight and pendant lighting reward. Keep the ceiling lighter to avoid the room feeling compressed.
This color lends seriousness and focus to a workspace. Pair it with warm wood shelving and good task lighting to keep the room from feeling too heavy during daytime hours.
Old Glory works hard on exteriors. Against white or cream siding it delivers a classic, sharp contrast. It holds up well in full sun where lighter navies can look faded.
A single wall behind the bed in this shade creates a strong focal point without committing the whole room to a dark color. Balance it with lighter bedding and natural textiles.
What to Pair With Old Glory
No Benjamin Moore coordinating colors are specified for Old Glory 811 in our database, so consider these general pairing principles. Crisp whites and soft off-whites keep the contrast clean and let the navy hold the room. Warm brass and aged brass hardware read beautifully against this depth of blue. Natural wood tones in medium to light ranges provide warmth that balances the coolness of the color.
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Colors that clash with Old Glory
When Old Glory is used in one room and an adjacent room is painted a cool gray, the transition can feel flat and color-drained rather than intentional.
Under harsh cool fluorescent light, deep navies can look flat and lifeless rather than rich.
With an LRV below 16, Old Glory absorbs light rather than reflecting it. A small bathroom or windowless powder room will feel noticeably smaller and darker.
Common questions
Old Glory has an LRV of 15.93, which is quite low. Most colors used on interior walls fall between 20 and 70. At this level, the color absorbs significantly more light than it reflects, which means it will darken a room rather than open it up. Good lighting is important.
Yes, it is available in both interior and exterior lines, so you can use it on walls inside and on trim, shutters, or siding outside.
A deep navy ceiling can be striking in the right room, particularly a dining room or a room with high ceilings. At this depth of color it creates a dramatic enclosing effect. It is not a choice for a ceiling in a room where you want to feel airiness or height.
Eggshell is the most practical choice for walls. It gives just enough sheen to make the color look rich without turning the wall into a mirror that shows every imperfection. Flat works in lower-traffic spaces where washability is not a priority.