Starboard
What Starboard Actually Looks Like
Starboard reads like a deep emerald that just barely tips toward teal. It is intensely saturated, almost jewel-like, with very little gray to soften the blow. In person the color lands somewhere between a classic British racing green and the dark side of a tropical lagoon. At an LRV of 10.9, it absorbs a lot of light and will look noticeably darker on a full wall than it does on a chip. Under warm incandescent bulbs it can shift greener and richer. Under cool LED or north-facing daylight, the blue in the mix comes forward and the color can read almost teal.
Starboard Undertones
The dominant undertone here is blue, and it is not subtle. Some designers call it a blue-green while others lean toward calling it a true emerald, but most agree the cool blue character is what separates Starboard from more traditional forest greens. There is no warmth hiding in this color. No yellow, no olive, no earthy brown. It is clean, cool, and direct. In low light, those blue undertones can push toward navy territory, which is something to test with a large sample before committing.
Where Starboard Works Best
Starboard is built for impact in small to medium doses. It excels on kitchen cabinets, where it creates a rich anchor against lighter countertops and brass or gold hardware. It is equally strong as an accent wall in a living room, dining room, or home office. Powder rooms are another natural fit because the small square footage keeps the depth from feeling overwhelming. You can also use it on a front door or built-in bookcases for a pop of serious color. On all four walls of a large room, expect it to feel cave-like, which can be dramatic if that is the goal, but plan your lighting carefully.
Where to put Starboard
Starboard on lower cabinets with a light upper wall color is one of its strongest applications. The deep green grounds the room while white or cream uppers keep the space from closing in. Pair it with marble or butcher block countertops and brass pulls for a classic look that still feels current.
A single Starboard wall in a living room or bedroom instantly becomes the focal point. Keep adjacent walls in a crisp white like Egret White so the green can breathe. Art with warm tones, blush, or gold frames pops against this backdrop.
This is where you can go bold on all walls. The small footprint makes the depth feel intentional and enveloping rather than heavy. A large mirror, good sconce lighting, and white fixtures keep the room from feeling too dark.
What to Pair With Starboard
Because Starboard is so saturated and dark, it needs breathing room. The coordinating colors on this page, Egret White and Greek Villa, both deliver that relief. Egret White is a clean, slightly cool white that echoes the blue undertone in Starboard without competing. Greek Villa is warmer and creamier, which creates a pleasant contrast against Starboard's coolness. Brass, unlacquered gold, and matte black hardware all look great alongside this green.
Starboard vs similar colors
All comparisons are matched against Starboard at LRV 10.9.
Colors that clash with Starboard
With an LRV of 10.9, Starboard needs decent lighting or it will read almost black by evening. Rooms with small windows or only overhead lighting can lose the green entirely.
Pairing Starboard with a blue-gray trim or wall can make both colors feel muddy. The blue undertones overlap and neither color gets to shine.
Deep, saturated colors like Starboard are notorious for showing lap marks and roller overlap, especially in a flat or matte sheen.
Common questions
Starboard has an LRV of 10.9, which puts it firmly in the dark range. It will absorb most of the light in a room, so plan your lighting accordingly.
It depends on your lighting. In warm light it reads as a rich emerald green. In cooler or dimmer conditions, the blue undertone comes forward and it can lean toward teal. Most people see it as a blue-influenced green rather than a green-influenced blue.
Warm whites and creamy whites are the safest bet. Egret White and Greek Villa are the two coordinating options and both work well. Avoid pairing it with a cool gray or blue-gray trim, which can clash with the blue undertone already present in Starboard.
You can, but choose the room carefully. Powder rooms, small offices, and dining rooms are good candidates because the enveloping effect feels intentional. In larger rooms, make sure you have ample lighting so the color does not just read as dark and flat.
Brass, unlacquered gold, and matte black are the most popular choices. Brushed nickel can work but reads cooler and more understated. Polished chrome is the least common pairing because it can amplify the blue undertone and push the cabinets toward teal.