The floor finish is the reference
Judge Essex Green against your actual wood finish, not a generic wood species label. The starting material direction here is warm brick and cream trim. Essex Green's extremely low reflectance makes a near-black appearance part of the expected design range.
Warm brick and cream trim can preserve a readable outline, but the green's visibility should not depend on direct sun alone.
Test the dominant wood color, not one grain line
Check the outline between Essex Green and the darkest part of the floor or wood furniture. Deep paint and dark timber may lose separation in evening light. Decide whether that continuous dark effect is intended, or whether a lighter painted boundary would give the room clearer structure.
Essex Green has an LRV of 5.64; Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green HC-187 is 4.85. The difference is 0.79 points, with Essex Green returning more light under the reference measurement.
The condition for keeping Essex Green
Approve the green in shade as well as sun; decide whether an almost-black result is welcome. The undertones and neighboring colors covers that related choice.
Keep the Essex Green board vertical at the floor edge. A match to one pale grain line can misrepresent the dominant color across the installed floor. Judge the broad timber background from standing height. If the floor will be refinished, repeat the comparison with the approved new stain sample before ordering the wall paint. The coordinating color options covers that related choice. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Benjamin Moore Essex Green HC-188. The recorded LRV is 5.64. 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.