Gentle Cream (OC-96) is a warm, soft paint color from Benjamin Moore. It looks like vanilla ice cream mixed with a touch of honey. This color can make any room feel cozy and welcoming.

When you paint your walls with Gentle Cream, the room feels sunny, even on cloudy days. It works well in living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. The color doesn’t show dirt easily, which makes it good for busy homes.

Gentle Cream goes nicely with brown, green, or blue furniture and looks great with wood floors and cabinets.

Many people choose Gentle Cream because it’s not too yellow or white. It’s just right for creating a peaceful space that still feels cheerful.

If you want your home to feel warm and inviting, Gentle Cream might be the perfect choice.

Why Choose Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream?

This warm, inviting color creates cozy and welcoming spaces. Gentle Cream works anywhere comfort is desired, from kitchens to family rooms.

It pairs beautifully with modern and traditional décor, making it a versatile choice for your home.

1. Subtle Warmth

• Gentle Cream is a soft neutral with soft golden-beige undertones.
• It creates a comfortable backdrop that feels like a warm embrace.
• The color perfectly balances warmth and neutrality, making spaces feel inviting and relaxed.

2. Ideal for Any Space

• Dining rooms transform into gathering places that encourage conversation
• Living areas become more comfortable and homey
• Kitchens gain a warm, farmhouse-inspired quality
• Entryways feel more welcoming and less stark

3. Versatile Companion

• Dark furniture creates a beautiful contrast against it
• Blue and green accents look fresh and balanced
• Wood tones appear richer and more defined
• Metals like brass and bronze shine nicely.

4. Emotional Benefits

• Creates visual warmth in colder spaces
• It helps rooms feel established and timeless
• Promotes a sense of comfort and stability
• It makes large spaces feel more intimate and cozy

5. Lighting Effects

• Morning light brings out its soft cream qualities
• The afternoon sun enhances its warm golden undertones
• Evening lamps create a rich, amber glow
• This adaptability makes it perfect for rooms used throughout the day

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream (OC-96) in Interior Design

Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream OC-96 is a warm, creamy beige with subtle golden undertones that create a cozy, inviting feel.

It adapts well to various lighting conditions, appearing richer in warm light and softer in cooler settings. This versatile shade works beautifully on walls, trim, and cabinetry for a timeless look.

Texture Partners

When looking for texture partners for Gentle Cream OC-96, I recommend complementary textures that enhance its properties while maintaining design harmony.

Gentle Cream offers a warm, inviting backdrop with subtle yellow undertones that create a soft, nuanced presence in any space.

Here are some complementary texture patterns you might consider:

1. Subtle linen or canvas textures – These add depth without competing with the warm, gentle nature of the paint color

2. Fine stippling – Creates a slight dimensional effect that enhances the warmth of Gentle Cream

3. Venetian plaster – The soft, mottled finish can beautifully highlight the creamy undertones

4. Light sand texture – Provides a slightly tactile surface that catches light in interesting ways

5. Soft brushstrokes in a crosshatch pattern – Creates visual interest while maintaining the sleek simplicity

6. Gentle sponging technique – Using a slightly darker or lighter tone in the same color family

7. Subtle strié effect – Vertical dragged brush strokes that add height and sophistication

8. Mild grass cloth texture – Either as actual wallcovering or a painted simulation that complements the natural warmth

Perfect Places for Use

• Bedrooms
• Living rooms
• Home offices
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Dining rooms
• Hallways and transitional spaces
• Nurseries
• Meditation or yoga spaces

Today’s Home Design

Gentle Cream by Benjamin Moore offers a universal neutral that has become increasingly popular among homeowners seeking balance and warmth. This inviting shade brings numerous benefits to interior spaces:

1. Gentle Cream introduces a soft warmth to contemporary spaces, adding depth without overwhelming the existing design elements.

2. The calming nature of this shade creates a peaceful atmosphere in busy areas of the home, helping to reduce visual noise and promote relaxation.

3. Its adaptable undertones allow it to pair beautifully with rich wooden furniture and modern metallic accents, creating cohesive design schemes.

4. This versatile color transforms gracefully throughout the day, appearing slightly different but equally appealing in the natural morning light, afternoon sun, and evening lamp illumination.

5. As seasons change, Gentle Cream provides an excellent backdrop for various decorative elements, from spring florals to cozy winter textiles.

Why Does It Work?

1. Maintains perfect balance in any lighting condition.
2. Creates an instantly welcoming atmosphere.
3. Serves as a versatile canvas for diverse design elements.
4. It makes small spaces feel larger while warming up bigger rooms.
5. Flows seamlessly between connected spaces.
6. Enhances both modern and traditional architectural features.
7. Brings out the natural beauty of wood, stone, and textiles.
8. Allows statement pieces to shine truly.
9. Offers timeless appeal that transcends passing trends.
10. Adapts effortlessly to changing seasonal décor.

Gentle Cream Profile By Benjamin Moore

1. Color Values

RGB Value: 234, 219, 196

Red: 234

Green: 219

Blue: 196

HEX Code: #EADBC4

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 is a warm, inviting off-white with soft yellow undertones that creates a cozy ambiance in any room.

This timeless neutral envelops spaces in a subtle golden glow, providing the perfect backdrop for both traditional and contemporary design elements.

Gentle Cream’s versatile warmth transitions beautifully from morning to evening, maintaining its rich depth while still reflecting ample light.

2. What These Numbers Mean

The RGB values show how Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 gets its special look:

• The higher red and green values (234, 219, 196) create this color’s warm, inviting appearance
• The lower blue value compared to red and green gives it that distinctive creamy warmth
• The relatively high red component adds the subtle golden

3. Digital Uses

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 serves as a lavish backdrop for refined website designs, lending warmth and approachability to corporate and personal portfolios alike.

This versatile neutral enhances digital branding for home décor businesses and culinary enterprises, conveying a sense of comfort and tradition.

Professional photographers favor Gentle Cream for virtual staging in real estate listings, as it creates inviting spaces that potential buyers can envision as their own.

E-commerce platforms utilize this warm hue to showcase products against a fresh and timeless backdrop.

Graphic designers incorporate Gentle Cream into digital illustrations and print materials to evoke feelings of home, tradition, and understated luxury.

4. Quick Tips

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 pairs stunningly with rich burgundies and deep browns for a traditional, inviting atmosphere.

Consider applying this versatile neutral in south-facing rooms where it will maintain its warmth without becoming overwhelmingly yellow.

Use Gentle Cream in bedrooms and living spaces to establish a cozy, welcoming foundation that encourages relaxation.

For a cohesive look, carry this shade throughout connecting spaces like hallways and entryways, allowing the color to flow naturally.

Observe how this chameleon-like neutral adapts throughout the day, displaying more yellow undertones in natural daylight and becoming softer and muted in evening light.

Gentle Cream provides the perfect backdrop for both modern furnishings and antique pieces, effortlessly bridging various design styles.

Color Description

1. Light Reflectance Value (LRV)

• LRV: 71.86
• Medium-high brightness level
• Notably warm and inviting
• Ideal for creating cozy, welcoming spaces
• Reflects sufficient light while maintaining its creamy depth in various conditions

2. Undertones

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 features a warm ivory base that whispers with subtle yellow-beige undertones, creating its signature welcoming embrace.

This universal neutral transforms throughout the day, revealing golden honey notes in the morning sunlight, settling into a balanced warmth at midday, and developing rich, buttery depths as evening approaches.

Within south-facing rooms, Gentle Cream’s warmth becomes more pronounced, while it maintains its creamy character in spaces with northern exposure without feeling stark.

The color’s enduring appeal lies in its ability to shift between a soft, mellow richness and a bright, airy lightness depending on time and lighting conditions.

1. Perfect for art display
2. Great for family time
3. It makes rooms feel open
4. Works with any lighting

Bedroom

1. Helps with sleep
2. Morning light friendly
3. Good for reading nooks

Dining Area

1. A clean, fresh look
2. Works with white items
3. It makes spaces feel bigger
4. Easy to keep fresh

Color Pairings for Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96

Decor Tips for Benjamin Moore Gentle Cream OC-96

Practical Tips for Painting with Gentle Cream OC-96

Preparing Your Space

1. Proper preparation is essential for achieving the best results When painting with Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96. Start by thoroughly cleaning all surfaces with a mild detergent or wall cleaner to remove any dirt, oils, or residue that could affect adhesion.

2. Next, address any wall imperfections by filling holes with a packing compound, repairing cracks with caulk, and sanding all repairs until smooth. These steps ensure a flawless finish that showcases Gentle Cream’s warm undertones.

3. A quality primer is recommended before applying Gentle Cream, with a white or slightly tinted primer being ideal. One coat of primer is typically sufficient, creating the perfect foundation for this warm neutral.

4. Before committing to the entire space, test Gentle Cream by painting 2′ x 2′ samples on different walls throughout the room. This warm off-white shade can appear more golden in southern exposures or slightly muted in rooms with northern light, making sample testing crucial for understanding how the color will behave in your specific space.

Application Tips

1. Use premium synthetic brushes for trim and a ⅜” nap roller for walls, applying in “W” patterns to ensure even coverage of this warm neutral.
2. Apply two complete coats for consistent coverage, as Gentle Cream’s warm undertones require proper buildup for true color representation.
3. Depending on humidity levels, allow 2-4 hours of drying time between coats to prevent streaking and ensure proper adhesion.
4. Paint in natural daylight whenever possible to accurately assess Gentle Cream’s warm, inviting tone and ensure a flawless finish throughout your space.

Finishing Touches

• Inspect walls with a bright light held at an angle to catch missed spots.
• Touch up as needed after the paint has fully dried.
• Wait at least 2 weeks before washing newly painted surfaces.
• Store leftover paint in a sealed container for future touch-ups.
• Label the can with the room name for easy reference later.

Similar Benjamin Moore’s Colors

Vanilla Ice Cream OC-90

• Benjamin Moore’s Vanilla Ice Cream (OC-90) is a warm off-white paint color with subtle yellow undertones that creates a soft, inviting atmosphere in any room.

• This versatile neutral works well in various lighting conditions and pairs beautifully with cool and warm accent colors, making it a popular choice for living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms.

Simply White OC-117

• Benjamin Moore’s Simply White (OC-117) is a crisp, clean white paint with very subtle warm undertones, making it one of the brand’s most popular and versatile white paint colors.

• It creates a bright, airy feel in any space while maintaining warmth, making it an excellent choice for walls, trim, and cabinetry throughout the home.

Wrapping It Up

Benjamin Moore’s Gentle Cream OC-96 is a super cozy paint color that makes any room warm and welcoming. It’s not too yellow or white, but just right – like a soft blanket for your walls.

This color works great in kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms. It looks great with white trim and brown or blue furniture.

When the sun shines in, Gentle Cream glows with happy warmth. Even when it’s cloudy, it keeps your room feeling bright.

Many love this color because it never goes out of style and matches almost everything. If you want a paint color that feels like home and makes everyone feel comfortable, Gentle Cream is a perfect choice.

It’s been a favorite for many years because it’s easy to live with.