Soft Chamois and Ballet White: the documented difference
Soft Chamois has an LRV of 77.4; Benjamin Moore Ballet White OC-9 is 71.97. The difference is 5.43 points, with Soft Chamois returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Soft Chamois offers a shaded warm-white appearance rather than the strongest possible white contrast. Ballet White is an off-white with enough color to make a softer alternative to a very bright white.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Soft Chamois | Benjamin Moore OC-13 | 77.4 |
| Ballet White | Benjamin Moore OC-9 | 71.97 |
The choice beside limestone and unbleached cotton
Limestone and unbleached cotton can support that softness, but the existing ceiling white sets a separate boundary that should be kept visible.
Set up both candidates with limestone and unbleached cotton. 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
For a second point of reference, White Down is recorded at LRV 76.69. The undertones and neighboring colors covers that related choice.
Compare it with the actual ceiling white so the subtle warmth reads as a coherent layer. Assess Soft Chamois and Ballet 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 Soft Chamois OC-13. The recorded LRV is 77.4. 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.