Smokey Taupe and Cedar Key: the documented difference
Smokey Taupe has an LRV of 54.53; Benjamin Moore Cedar Key OC-16 is 61.05. The difference is 6.52 points, with Cedar Key returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Smokey Taupe offers a slightly warm neutral direction without the extra depth of Stone Hearth. Cedar Key is a driftwood-like neutral; the manufacturer does not specify a single universal undertone in its short description.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Smokey Taupe | Benjamin Moore 983 | 54.53 |
| Cedar Key | Benjamin Moore OC-16 | 61.05 |
The choice beside beige carpet and a gray stone surround
A beige carpet and gray stone surround establish two large anchors, so the paint is best assessed as a connection between them.
Set up both candidates with beige carpet and a gray stone surround. Use equal-sized boards with the intended finishes and place them in the same orientation. Do not put one directly beside a window and leave the other in shadow. A difference that follows the position rather than the board is a lighting observation, not evidence that the formula changed.
What the comparison can—and cannot—settle
The alternative Stone Hearth has an LRV of 48.45.
Place the two permanent finishes together in the test instead of trying to match only one. Assess Smokey Taupe and Cedar Key alone as well as side by side. The unchosen board will not remain in the finished room, and a preference created only by that neighbor may not survive its removal. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Benjamin Moore Smokey Taupe 983. The recorded LRV is 54.53. Named comparison values come from the respective manufacturers; material schemes are editorial suggestions.
This guide reviews published color information and proposes practical sample checks. It does not claim first-hand paint testing or customer-review scores. Benjamin Moore does not sponsor or endorse this site. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Confirm the color in a physical sample and select the coating for the actual surface and finish.