Cedar Key and Elmira White: the documented difference
Cedar Key has an LRV of 61.05; Benjamin Moore Elmira White HC-84 is 64.67. The difference is 3.62 points, with Elmira White returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Cedar Key's driftwood description supports a muted-neutral direction but does not establish a single precise undertone for every setting. Elmira White is a light greige rather than a brilliant white.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Key | Benjamin Moore OC-16 | 61.05 |
| Elmira White | Benjamin Moore HC-84 | 64.67 |
The choice beside weathered oak and ivory linen
Weathered oak and ivory linen supply a real gray-beige context, making the authentic sample more useful than guessing from the evocative name.
Set up both candidates with weathered oak and ivory linen. 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 Smokey Taupe has an LRV of 54.53.
Use a physical board to judge the gray-beige balance rather than inventing an undertone from its name. Assess Cedar Key and Elmira White 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 Cedar Key OC-16. The recorded LRV is 61.05. 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.