Raphael
What Raphael Actually Looks Like
Raphael CC-2 is a dark, earthy red-brown that reads closer to dried brick or aged terracotta than anything bright or primary. It sits firmly in deep territory, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. In a room with good warm light it shows its red warmth. In dim or north-facing conditions it can pull almost toward a very dark brown, losing much of its red character entirely.
Raphael Undertones
The color is built on red and brown in roughly equal measure, with just enough warmth to keep it from feeling cold or gray. There are no notable blue or green undertones to worry about. What you get is a grounded, earthy warmth that stays consistent across lighting conditions, though the balance between red and brown will shift depending on how much natural light the room receives.
Where Raphael Works Best
Because the LRV is very low, Raphael drinks light. That makes it a strong choice for accent walls, moody dining rooms, libraries, or any space where you want the walls to recede and create enclosure. It can work on all four walls of a small room if that intimate, cocooning effect is what you are after. It is less suited to rooms where you need reflected light to make the space feel open or bright.
Where to put Raphael
A dining room is one of the strongest applications for Raphael. The deep red-brown wraps the space, flatters candlelight and warm overhead fixtures, and creates the kind of atmosphere that makes a meal feel like an event. Keep the ceiling lighter to avoid the room feeling too compressed.
In a reading room or home office, Raphael delivers seriousness and warmth at the same time. It makes bookshelves and wood furniture stand out rather than disappear, and it tolerates low lighting without looking gloomy the way some dark colors do.
If full-room commitment feels like too much, a single accent wall in Raphael behind a bed or sofa anchors the space with color without overwhelming it. The low LRV means the wall will feel set back, giving the room a sense of depth.
A foyer in Raphael makes a confident first impression. Because entryways are transitional spaces rather than rooms you live in for hours, the intensity of the color works in your favor rather than wearing on you.
What to Pair With Raphael
No official Benjamin Moore coordinating colors are listed for Raphael CC-2 in our database. As a general pairing direction, it works well alongside warm off-whites, natural linens, aged brass or copper hardware, and deep forest greens. Avoid cool grays and stark whites, which will fight the warmth in the color.
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Colors that clash with Raphael
Cool grays pull blue or green, which sits in direct tension with the warm red-brown of Raphael. The combination can look unintentional rather than contrasting.
A very bright, blue-white trim color next to Raphael will make the wall color look muddier and can make the trim feel harsh.
In a room that gets only cold north light and has no warm bulbs or candles, Raphael can flatten into a very dark, indistinct brown with little of its red character showing.
Common questions
The LRV is 6.66, which is very low on a scale of 0 to 100. In practical terms, the color absorbs a large amount of light and reflects very little back. This means the room will feel more enclosed and intimate, and you will need adequate artificial lighting to keep the space from feeling dark rather than dramatic.
Yes, it is available in both interior and exterior formulations and across Benjamin Moore's standard finish options. For interior walls, an eggshell or matte finish will reduce any sheen that might distract from the depth of the color. A flat finish will make it feel even more absorbed and enveloping.
Deep, saturated colors like this one almost always require two coats over a properly primed surface. Tinting your primer to a warm medium tone close to the finish color will help you reach true, even coverage without needing a third coat.
It is available in exterior formulations, and a deep earthy red-brown can work well on exterior trim, doors, or shutters. On a full exterior body it will read very dark, so consider the surrounding landscape and the color of your roof and hardscape before committing.