Choosing the right paint color can feel overwhelming. You stand in the paint aisle, holding up swatches, wondering if you're about to make a huge mistake. Two of Benjamin Moore's most popular colors—Alaskan Skies and Revere Pewter—keep popping up in your search. But which one actually works for your space?
Let me break it down for you. I've seen both colors in real homes, and they couldn't be more different. One leans cool and airy, while the other brings warmth and versatility. By the end of this guide, you'll know exactly which one belongs on your walls.
Key Takeaways
- Alaskan Skies is a soft, cool blue-gray perfect for creating calm, peaceful spaces
- Revere Pewter is a warm greige (gray-beige) that works in almost any room
- Alaskan Skies works best with natural light and modern aesthetics
- Revere Pewter adapts to different lighting and complements both traditional and contemporary styles
- Your choice depends on your lighting, existing decor, and the mood you want to create
Quick Comparison: Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies vs Revere Pewter
| Feature | Alaskan Skies (OC-22) | Revere Pewter (HC-172) |
| Color Family | Blue-gray | Greige (gray-beige) |
| Undertones | Cool blue undertones | Warm beige undertones |
| LRV | 69 | 55.51 |
| Best Rooms | Bedrooms, bathrooms, north-facing rooms | Living rooms, kitchens, hallways, entire homes |
| Lighting Effect | Shows more blue in bright light | Shifts between gray and beige throughout the day |
| Style Match | Coastal, modern, minimalist | Transitional, traditional, farmhouse, contemporary |
| Price per Gallon | $70-$90 (depending on finish) | $70-$90 (depending on finish) |
| Trim Pairing | White Dove, Simply White, Chantilly Lace | White Dove, Cloud White, Simply White |
| Warmth Level | Cool | Warm |
What is Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies?
Alaskan Skies is like a breath of fresh air captured in paint form. It's a soft, muted blue-gray that brings the feeling of a cloudy morning sky into your home. This color sits in Benjamin Moore's Off-White collection, which tells you it's subtle—not bold or dramatic.
The LRV (Light Reflectance Value) of 69 means it reflects a good amount of light. Your room won't feel dark or cramped with this color. Instead, you get an airy, open feeling that makes spaces feel bigger.
What makes Alaskan Skies special is its calming presence. It doesn't scream for attention. It whispers. The blue undertones become more noticable in rooms with lots of natural light, while it can look more gray in dimmer spaces.
People often choose this color for bedrooms because it promotes relaxation. But I've also seen it work beautifully in bathrooms, home offices, and even nurseries. According to experts at Big Write Hook, subtle color choices like this one create cohesive design stories throughout a home.
What is Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter?
Revere Pewter has become something of a legend in the paint world. Interior designers recommend it constantly, and for good reason. It's a chameleon color that adapts to its surroundings like few others can.
With an LRV of 55.51, Revere Pewter is slightly darker than Alaskan Skies. It's a true greige—that magical blend of gray and beige that brings warmth without feeling dated or too yellow.
The genius of Revere Pewter lies in its undertones. In morning light, you might see more beige. By afternoon, it can shift to a soft gray. This flexibility makes it work in rooms facing any direction. North-facing rooms won't make it look too cold, and south-facing rooms won't turn it muddy.
This paint color works everywhere. Seriously. Hallways, kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms—it flows beautifully from room to room. That's why so many people paint their entire homes in Revere Pewter. It creates a cohesive backdrop that lets your furniture and art shine.
Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies vs Revere Pewter: Color Characteristics
Undertones Matter More Than You Think
When comparing benjamin moore alaskan skies vs revere pewter, undertones are everything. Alaskan Skies has clear cool blue undertones. These give it that crisp, fresh feeling. In bright daylight, the blue really comes out. In dimmer light or evening, it settles into a soft gray.
Revere Pewter's undertones are warm beige with a touch of gray. This warmth prevents it from feeling cold or sterile. The beige keeps it grounded and inviting, while the gray keeps it modern and fresh.
How Light Changes Everything
Light transforms both colors in different ways. Alaskan Skies loves natural light. The more light it gets, the more beautiful it becomes. It reflects that light around the room, making spaces feel open and airy. But in rooms with limited natural light, it can look flat or even slightly dingy.
Revere Pewter handles all lighting situations like a pro. Morning light brings out warmth. Afternoon light shows more gray. Evening artificial light? Still looks great. This adaptability is why it works in so many homes.
The Warmth Factor
Here's where these two really diverge. Alaskan Skies is definitly on the cool side. If you love that fresh, crisp feeling—think spa bathrooms or serene bedrooms—this coolness is perfect.
Revere Pewter brings warmth. Not in an overwhelming way, but enough to make a room feel cozy and inviting. This warmth pairs beautifully with wood tones, which is why it works so well in homes with hardwood floors or wood furniture.
Best Rooms for Each Color
Where Alaskan Skies Shines
Bedrooms: This is where Alaskan Skies really excels. The cool tones promote calmness and better sleep. Pair it with white bedding and natural wood furniture for a serene retreat.
Bathrooms: Transform your bathroom into a spa-like sanctuary. Alaskan Skies works especially well in bathrooms with good natural light. Add white fixtures and maybe some plants, and you've created something special.
Home Offices: Need to focus? The calm, undistracting quality of Alaskan Skies helps you concentrate without feeling clinical or cold.
North-facing rooms: Surprisingly, this cool color can actually work in north-facing rooms if you want to embrace a cooler aesthetic rather than fight it.
Where Revere Pewter Excels
Living Rooms: Revere Pewter creates the perfect backdrop for gathering spaces. It's neutral enough to work with any furniture style but interesting enough to not feel boring.
Kitchens: Whether you have white cabinets or wood tones, Revere Pewter bridges the gap beautifully. It complements stainless steel appliances and works with both cool and warm countertop materials.
Hallways and Open Concepts: When you need one color to flow through multiple spaces, Revere Pewter is your answer. It connects rooms without feeling monotonous.
South-facing rooms: The warm light in south-facing rooms could make some colors look too yellow. Revere Pewter handles this beautifully, maintaining its balance.
Design Styles: Which Color Fits Your Vibe?
Alaskan Skies Style Pairings
Alaskan Skies naturally gravitates toward certain design styles:
- Coastal/Nautical: Obviously, a blue-gray works perfectly for beach-inspired spaces
- Modern Minimalist: The soft, understated quality fits minimalist aesthetics perfectly
- Scandinavian: Pair it with light woods and white for that coveted Scandi look
- Transitional: It can work here too, especially if you lean toward cooler palettes
Revere Pewter Style Pairings
Revere Pewter is basically a style chameleon:
- Traditional: Works beautifully with classic furniture and rich wood tones
- Farmhouse: The warm greige complements rustic elements perfectly
- Transitional: This is Revere Pewter's sweet spot—bridging traditional and contemporary
- Contemporary: Clean lines and modern furniture look great against this neutral backdrop
- Industrial: The gray tones complement metal and concrete elements
Coordinating Colors and Trim
Pairing with Alaskan Skies
White trim is essential with Alaskan Skies. You want crisp, clean white to provide contrast. Try these Benjamin Moore whites:
- White Dove (OC-17): Slightly softer than pure white
- Simply White (OC-117): Crisp and clean
- Chantilly Lace (OC-65): The crispest option
For accent colors, think:
- Soft corals or peach tones
- Warm woods
- Navy blue for depth
- Cream or ivory textiles
Pairing with Revere Pewter
Revere Pewter also loves white trim, but you have more flexibility:
- White Dove: The most popular pairing
- Cloud White (OC-130): Slightly warmer
- Simply White: For more contrast
Accent colors work beautifully:
- Navy, charcoal, or black for drama
- Soft blues or greens
- Warm neutrals like tan or caramel
- Even bold colors like emerald green or burgundy
Pros and Cons Breakdown
Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies
Pros:
- Creates a calm, peaceful atmosphere
- Makes rooms feel larger and more open
- Perfect for sleep spaces
- Works well in modern and coastal designs
- Reflects light beautifully
- Sophisticated without being boring
Cons:
- Can look flat in rooms with limited natural light
- The cool undertones won't work if you want warmth
- Less versatile than warmer neutrals
- May clash with warm wood tones
- Needs the right lighting to look its best
- Not ideal for entire home applications
Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
Pros:
- Works in virtually any room
- Adapts to different lighting conditions
- Complements both cool and warm decor
- Flows beautifully from room to room
- Warm enough to feel inviting, cool enough to feel fresh
- Increases home resale appeal
- Timeless—won't look dated in a few years
Cons:
- So popular it might feel less unique
- Can look slightly different in every room (though some see this as a pro)
- Might feel too safe if you want something bold
- The warmth might not work if you prefer very cool palettes
Real Home Performance: What to Expect
Let's talk about how these colors actually perform in real homes, not just on paint chips.
Alaskan Skies can surprise you. That little paint chip looks pretty neutral, right? But once you get it on all four walls with natural light streaming in, the blue really shows up. This isn't necessarily bad—it's actually beautiful—but you need to expect it. Test it first. Paint large samples on different walls and observe them throughout the day.
One homeowner I know painted her bedroom in Alaskan Skies and absolutely loves it. But she did mention that in the evening with only lamp light, it looks grayer and less special. During the day? Perfection.
Revere Pewter tends to meet expectations more consistently. It's been around long enough that people generally know what they're getting. However, in rooms with lots of natural light, some people find it looks more beige than they wanted. In darker rooms, it can lean gray. As noted by design professionals at Big Write Hook, testing paint in your specific lighting conditions is always wise, even with popular colors.
Price and Practicality
Good news: both benjamin moore alaskan skies vs revere pewter cost the same. Benjamin Moore paints typically run $70-$90 per gallon depending on the finish you choose.
Coverage: Both colors cover well in two coats over properly primed walls. Neither requires special techniques or extra coats.
Finish recommendations:
- Matte or eggshell for walls
- Semi-gloss for trim
- Satin for high-traffic areas or moisture-prone rooms
Touch-ups: Revere Pewter tends to touch up more seamlessly than Alaskan Skies. The blue undertones in Alaskan Skies can sometimes show touch-ups more obviously, especially in rooms with lots of natural light.
Which One Should You Choose?
Let's make this decision simple. Choose Benjamin Moore Alaskan Skies if:
- You want a cool, calming atmosphere
- Your room gets good natural light
- You love coastal or modern minimalist styles
- You're painting a bedroom or bathroom
- You prefer crisp, fresh-feeling spaces
- You don't have a lot of warm wood tones
Choose Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter if:
- You want one color for multiple rooms or your whole home
- You have a mix of lighting situations
- You like warm, inviting spaces
- You have traditional or transitional style
- You have wood floors or furniture with warm tones
- You want a safe choice that will work with future decor changes
- You plan to sell your home soon
Still torn? Here's my honest advice: if you're painting more than one room or want a whole-home color, go with Revere Pewter. It's more forgiving and versatile. If you're painting one special room where you want that cool, spa-like feeling, Alaskan Skies might be your winner.
The Final Verdict
Both of these Benjamin Moore colors are excellent choices, but they serve different purposes. In the benjamin moore alaskan skies vs revere pewter debate, there's no universal winner—only the right choice for your specific situation.
Revere Pewter takes the crown for versatility. It's the safer bet, the crowd-pleaser, the color that works almost everywhere. If you need to make a decision quickly or want to minimize risk, this is your answer. It's popular for a reason—it simply works.
Alaskan Skies wins for creating a specific mood and atmosphere. When you want that cool, serene, spa-like feeling, nothing does it quite like this soft blue-gray. It's more specialized, but in the right application, it's absolutely stunning.
My final recommendation? If this is your forever home and you're painting a specific room with good lighting, lean toward the color that speaks to your heart. If you're unsure about lighting, plan to move in a few years, or need flexibility, Revere Pewter is the smarter choice.
Remember, paint is just paint. It's changeable. Don't let the decision paralyze you. Order samples of both, paint large swatches on your walls, and live with them for a few days. The right choice will become obvious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alaskan Skies more blue or gray?
It depends on your lighting. In rooms with abundant natural light, the blue undertones definitely show up. In dimmer spaces or with only artificial light, it leans more gray. Generally, it reads as a blue-gray rather than a true gray.
Does Revere Pewter look purple?
Some people see purple or taupe undertones in certain lighting, but this is uncommon. The color typically shifts between gray and beige rather than showing purple. If you're concerned, test it in your specific lighting conditions.
Can I use both colors in the same home?
Absolutely! Many people use Revere Pewter as their main color throughout the home and Alaskan Skies in a master bedroom or bathroom. Just make sure they flow well by testing them where they'll meet (like in a hallway).
Which color is better for resale?
Revere Pewter wins here. It's more universally appealing and works with more design styles. Homebuyers generally respond well to warm, neutral colors. Alaskan Skies might be too specific for some buyers' tastes.
Do these colors work with oak cabinets or trim?
Revere Pewter works beautifully with oak because of its warm undertones. Alaskan Skies can clash with orange-toned oak because it's cool while oak is warm. If you have oak, Revere Pewter is the safer choice.
Which one makes a room look bigger?
Alaskan Skies has a higher LRV (69 vs 55.51), so technically it reflects more light and could make a room feel slightly larger. However, Revere Pewter's warmth can make a space feel more inviting, which some people prefer over strictly maximizing visual space.
Can I paint my whole house in Alaskan Skies?
You could, but it's not ideal. Alaskan Skies works best in specific rooms where its cool, calming quality is an asset. For whole-home applications, Revere Pewter is the better choice because it adapts better to different lighting and room purposes.
Choosing between benjamin moore alaskan skies vs revere pewter comes down to understanding your space, your style, and your goals. Both are beautiful, high-quality Benjamin Moore colors that will serve you well. Trust your instincts, test your samples, and don't overthink it. The perfect color for your home is the one that makes you smile when you walk into the room.