From any cottage window in lake country, the palette is vegetal and earthy, carrying the likes of spruce, pine, lichen spreading across Canadian Shield rock. Here, green is less a colour than a condition of place. Let’s not forget the colours of the sky that reflect upon the water as a complement.
On October 14, Benjamin Moore named Webster Green HC-130 its Colour of the Year for 2027, joining Sherwin-Williams, Behr and Little Greene in a rare consensus around green.
For cottage owners, it is a shade that belongs to the landscape long before it reaches a wall. For the contractors who build here, it signals a year of clients asking for it by name.
Webster Green
Webster Green is a deep, rich forest green. A balance of blue and yellow gives the shade its warmth, so the colour reads settled rather than cool or loud. It moves easily between styles, from a traditional log cottage to a clean modern build. That range is what earned Benjamin Moore's pick.
This is also the brand's first green Colour of the Year since October Mist in 2022.
At the cottage
You don't need to paint a whole room to make it work. Start small and let the lake do the rest.
The front door. A green door against cedar or stone feels like it grew there. It's the easiest first step to trying out a subtle accent door.
Trim and window frames. Green trim with warm neutral walls frames the view without competing with it.
Built-ins. A painted bookshelf, bench or bunk room cabinetry becomes the piece everyone remembers.
The entry or mudroom. A deep green is forgiving with wet boots and muddy paws, and it makes a warm first impression.
All in. For a cozy den or reading nook, take it across walls and woodwork for a room that feels wrapped in the forest.
Pairings for lake country
Webster Green anchors an eight-colour 2027 palette.
| Pair it with | What it brings | Try it on |
|---|---|---|
| White Down OC-131 | A soft, creamy white | Walls and ceilings next to green trim |
| Shakespeare Tan | A golden tone like early fall light | A sunroom or bedroom |
| Durango | A warm neutral with olive notes | Open living spaces |
| Nelson Blue | A watery blue | A bathroom or bunkie |
| Antique Copper | A rich, warm brown | Accent walls or cabinetry |
For contractors
Choosing the colour is the easy part. On a deep green, the product and the prep decide whether it still looks rich five winters from now.
Spec Aura Exterior for doors and accents. Benjamin Moore's Color Lock technology embeds pigment within the binder. The result is deeper colour, better fade resistance and less chalking. It's built for rain, snow and strong UV off the water.
Use the shoulder season. Aura Exterior applies at surface temperatures as low as 2°C, so fall jobs at the lake don't have to wait.
Prime for depth. Some deep colours call for a Deep Base primer tinted to a set formula. It gets you to full, even colour in fewer coats.
Mind the substrate. Benjamin Moore advises against painting vinyl darker than its original colour, since dark finishes absorb heat. Keep Webster Green on wood, doors and primed trim.
Go hard-wearing inside. For cabinetry, built-ins and interior trim, Advance cures to a smooth, durable finish that stands up to cottage traffic.
Sample in place. Light at the lake plays by its own rules. Water reflection and tree cover can shift a deep green warmer or cooler, so check large samples morning and evening.
Pitch the door first. For clients nervous about colour, a front door is a low-risk start. It often leads to the next project.
Bring us the surface, the exposure and your timeline. We'll match the right Benjamin Moore product and sheen to the job.
