TL;DR
A Livingetc writer tested sage and sage-adjacent paints from several brands, including Lick, Little Greene and Mylands. The report found that many shades look similar at first, with differences in undertone, depth and application affecting how they may work on a wall.
Livingetc has published a hands-on comparison of paints marketed as sage green or described as close to it, testing samples from Lick, Little Greene and Mylands. The report describes similarities among the shades, alongside differences in undertone and depth, and notes that sample type can affect how a color is assessed.
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The writer reports that differences between many sage shades are subtle. Some lean toward white, while others appear darker, warmer or more olive. The report says a paint’s appearance also depends on the room’s light. The findings are based on the writer’s sample tests, not a controlled comparison across identical rooms and lighting.
Lick Green 02 is described as a light sage with gray and blue undertones. Lick provides peel-and-stick samples rather than tester pots, and the report says the brand also offers guidance on how the color may appear in rooms with different orientations. Little Greene’s Sage Green is described as a soft shade. The writer reported that its tester pot was easy to use and characterized the paint formula as soft and silky.
Little Greene Hillside appeared bolder online than it did on the test swatch, where the writer described it as warmer and more modern than the brand’s Sage Green. The report identifies it as part of the company’s 2027 selections and quotes the brand describing it as a warmer green. Mylands Myrtle Green, reintroduced from the company’s archives, was among the softer shades tested. The writer described its paint as thicker than some alternatives, which may affect coverage and the number of coats needed. The supplied source cuts off during its discussion of Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke, so it does not provide the writer’s full assessment of that color.
Small Undertones Can Change a Room
The comparison describes how paints sold as sage green can differ in appearance after application. Differences in undertone and depth may affect how a shade looks alongside wood, natural textures and architectural details.
The report also notes that screen appearance may differ from a physical sample. The writer observed that Hillside looked bolder online than on the swatch. The article recommends considering a sample in the intended room and lighting, but does not establish that one shade is best for every home.
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How the Tested Shades Differ
The Livingetc report describes sage as a familiar interior color and notes that its popularity and current use have been debated in recent years. The writer tested samples from established paint brands and compared their appearance in person with their online presentation.
The report covers Green 02 by Lick, Sage Green and Hillside by Little Greene, and Myrtle Green by Mylands, then begins a section on Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke. Its descriptions combine the writer’s observations with brand information and, for Little Greene’s Sage Green, a comment from interior designer Laura Stephens. The supplied material does not include the rest of the Green Smoke review or a complete list of the article’s tested colors.
““Sage Green by Little Greene is a shade I return to time and again for its balance of subtlety and sophistication.””
— Laura Stephens, interior designer, as quoted by Livingetc
What the Sample Test Cannot Show
The supplied material does not specify the full testing method, including wall surfaces, room orientations, lighting conditions or whether every color was tested under identical conditions. These factors matter because the report says light can alter how sage paint appears. The article presents one writer’s observations, not a standardized ranking or a prediction of results in other homes.
The source text also ends partway through the section on Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke. Its full test result, the complete set of recommendations and any final ranking are not available in the supplied material. The report does not provide prices, coverage figures or comparative durability data for the paints.
Test Samples in the Intended Room
Readers can compare physical samples on the walls where they plan to use them and observe the colors at different times of day. Samples can show whether a shade appears cooler, warmer, lighter or more olive in a particular room; the Livingetc report does not identify one shade as suitable for every setting.
The supplied material includes no further testing, brand response or follow-up announcement. Readers planning to paint a full room can check each manufacturer’s current sample options and product guidance, then confirm coverage and coat requirements for their chosen paint.
Key Questions
Which sage paint colors did the report test?
The supplied report describes Lick Green 02, Little Greene Sage Green, Little Greene Hillside and Mylands Myrtle Green. It begins a review of Farrow & Ball’s Green Smoke, but the provided text cuts off before giving the writer’s assessment.
Did the writer find major differences between the shades?
No. The writer’s main takeaway was that many of the colors looked similar, with more subtle differences in undertone, tint and depth. The report also says room lighting affects how a shade appears.
Which shade did the writer describe as warmer?
The writer described Little Greene Hillside as warmer and more modern than the brand’s Sage Green when viewed on a sample. Little Greene also describes Hillside as a warmer version of Sage Green.
What did the report say about Mylands Myrtle Green?
The writer found Myrtle Green among the softest shades tested and noted that Mylands’ paint felt thicker than some alternatives. The report says that texture may be relevant when planning coverage and coats, but gives no specific coverage figures.
Can the article establish which paint is best for every wall?
No. The findings are one writer’s sample impressions, and the supplied material does not describe identical test conditions for all colors. Testing samples in the intended room can show how light and surrounding finishes affect the result.
Source: livingetc.com
