JC Licht’s February Color of the Month: Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick HC-50
February calls for colors that bring warmth and character to our spaces, and this month’s featured hue delivers exactly that. Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick HC-50 is a rich, earthy red that captures the timeless appeal of aged brick façades from America’s colonial era. Whether you’re planning an interior paint job or refreshing your home’s exterior, this versatile shade from the historical collection offers depth and sophistication that works across countless design styles.
Key Takeaways
- Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick HC-50 is a warm, historic red brick-inspired paint color from the Historical Collection, suitable for both interiors and exteriors with its rustic blend of red and orange hues.
- Georgian Brick is especially popular for traditional brick houses and classic exterior schemes, but can also work in updated, contemporary designs when balanced with the right accents.
- This color pairs beautifully with Benjamin Moore’s Hudson Bay 1680 (a deep, sophisticated blue) and Lime White CW-95 (a soft, creamy off-white) for balanced, timeless color palettes.
- The Historical Collection, which includes Georgian Brick, was inspired by America’s historic landmarks and features 191 carefully curated hues designed to evoke architectural heritage.
What Is Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick (HC-50)?
Georgian Brick HC-50 is a rich, earthy red with brown and orange undertones, designed to evoke the look of aged Georgian-era brick facades. This premium paint color captures the weathered, historic appearance of colonial architecture without feeling overly saturated or modern. The result is a grounded, authentic hue that reads as established and timeless rather than trendy.
This distinctive shade belongs to Benjamin Moore’s Historical Collection, a curated palette of 191 hues inspired by historic American architecture and landmarks. The collection draws from the authentic colors found on colonial buildings, Georgian-style estates, and other structures that define America’s architectural heritage. Georgian Brick specifically references the traditional brick tones prevalent in early American construction, making it an ideal choice for restoration projects or homes seeking that classic aesthetic.
What makes Georgian Brick particularly versatile is its ability to function as both an exterior siding or brick color and an interior wall paint or accent color. You can use it to create dramatic dining rooms, welcoming entryways, or to unify the look of a painted brick exterior. Pricing varies by retailer, finish, and product line, so checking with local Benjamin Moore dealers will give you the most accurate information for your specific project needs.
Color Characteristics and Undertones of Georgian Brick
HС-50 Georgian Brick sits in the mid-to-dark range of the red spectrum, offering a muted, earthy character that distinguishes it from brighter primary reds. This is a color built for longevity—one that feels at home on a centuries-old manor house just as naturally as it does in a thoughtfully designed contemporary space.
The undertones of Georgian Brick create its distinctive personality. A blend of brown, rust, and a subtle hint of orange keeps this red looking grounded and historic rather than flashy or overly saturated. Think of the weathered brick rowhouses of Philadelphia or the colonial brick manors of Virginia—that’s the visual territory Georgian Brick occupies. These warm undertones ensure the color feels inviting rather than aggressive.
Lighting conditions significantly affect how Georgian Brick appears on your walls. Under strong southern daylight, the color may read slightly more orange, revealing its warmer undertones. In shade or northern light, it appears deeper and more muted, emphasizing the brown base. This is why sampling in your actual space matters so much with red-based colors. The finish creates different effects as well—a flat finish will absorb light and create a luxurious matte finish, while an eggshell finish reveals color with a softly polished glow.
Georgian Brick has a lower Light Reflectance Value (LRV), which means it will look deeper and more intense on large surfaces. This is worth considering when planning your total square footage of coverage, as the color’s richness becomes more pronounced across expansive wall areas.
Interior Uses for Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick
Georgian Brick can be a bold yet refined choice for interior walls, accents, or architectural details in traditional or transitional homes. When applied thoughtfully, this historic hue brings depth and character to spaces that might otherwise feel flat or generic. Benjamin Moore paints formulated with cutting edge technology ensure the color maintains its richer hues over time.
Dining Rooms represent perhaps the most natural fit for Georgian Brick. The color creates an atmosphere of warmth and formality that elevates evening gatherings. Paired with candlelight, Georgian Brick walls develop an almost iridescent quality that makes dinner parties feel special. The extended open time of quality Benjamin Moore formulations allows for smooth, even application on these larger wall areas.
Libraries and Studies benefit from Georgian Brick’s club-like sophistication. The color creates a sense of enclosure and focus that’s perfect for reading or quiet work. Crown moldings and trim details painted in a contrasting white provide visual relief and architectural definition against the deep red walls. For a cozier feel, color drenching the entire space can also create a nice impact. This evokes a comforting ambiance that still feels grand and elegant.
Entryways and Foyers gain a welcoming, historic atmosphere when painted in Georgian Brick. As the first interior space guests experience, this color sets expectations for a home with character and intention. The fresh look it provides immediately communicates taste and attention to detail.
Accent Walls in Living Rooms offer a way to introduce Georgian Brick without overwhelming a space. In low traffic bedrooms or sitting areas, this approach adds visual interest while keeping the room feeling balanced.
In smaller rooms, Georgian Brick works best as an accent or on one focal wall. In larger rooms with ample natural light, you can confidently use it on all four walls to create a dramatic effect that remains refined rather than overwhelming.
Exterior Uses for Georgian Brick HC-50
Georgian Brick’s origins lie in classic American exteriors, specifically the colonial and Georgian-style brick homes built in the 18th and early 19th centuries. This heritage makes it an authentic choice for exterior applications that honor traditional architecture while providing modern paint performance.
Painted Brick Façades represent the most direct application of Georgian Brick. For homes with previously painted brick that needs refreshing, this color provides a unified, historically appropriate appearance. The waterborne formula in modern exterior paints offers excellent adhesion while remaining mildew resistant for high humidity environments.
Wood or Fiber-Cement Siding can take on a convincing “brick-like” appearance with Georgian Brick, especially when the architecture supports this aesthetic. This approach works particularly well on less than perfect surfaces where the flat look of a matte or ultra flat finish helps mask minor imperfections.
Shutters and Doors present opportunities to use Georgian Brick as an accent color on homes with natural brick or neutral siding. This creates visual interest without overwhelming the overall exterior scheme.
Detached Structures like garden walls, carriage houses, or pool houses can be unified with the main residence through strategic use of Georgian Brick, creating a cohesive estate-like appearance.
Element Guard Exterior Paint provides excellent protection for Georgian Brick applications, offering mildew resistance and the ability to apply in temperatures down to 35°F—ideal for those early spring or late fall projects.
Coordinating Colors with Georgian Brick
Georgian Brick shines when paired with thoughtfully chosen neutrals, whites, and accent hues that balance its warmth and depth. The right coordinating colors can either soften its intensity or create dramatic contrast—both approaches work depending on your design goals.
Lime White CW-95
Benjamin Moore Lime White CW-95 stands out as an ideal partner for Georgian Brick. This soft, creamy off-white gently cools and brightens the richness of the red without creating harsh contrast. Lime White works beautifully for trim, ceilings, wainscoting, and any architectural details you want to highlight. Its slight warmth prevents the stark appearance that pure whites can create against deep reds.
Hudson Bay 1680
Benjamin Moore Hudson Bay 1680 provides sophisticated contrast as a deep, refined blue that pairs beautifully with Georgian Brick. This combination works for doors, shutters, interior cabinetry, or accent walls where you want to introduce a complementary color. The red-and-blue pairing feels classic and intentional, avoiding the dated look that some color combinations can create. Ben paint or Regal Select paint in Hudson Bay provides smooth application with excellent color rub off resistance.
For additional neutral companions, consider warm greiges, soft stone grays, or muted beiges from the Benjamin Moore palette. Colors like Wheeling Neutral HC-92 or a gentle taupe create layers of sophistication without competing with Georgian Brick’s commanding presence. These neutrals work especially well in adjacent rooms or on ceilings where you want visual continuity without repetition.
When building your palette, think about mood and contrast—pairing warm Georgian Brick with cooler blues like Hudson Bay creates energy, while combining it with warm neutrals creates cozy cohesion. The same color can read entirely differently depending on its companions, so testing combinations together is essential.
How to Sample and Choose Georgian Brick
Testing Georgian Brick in your actual space is crucial before committing to a full project. Red-based colors shift significantly under different lighting conditions and against various materials, making in-person evaluation non-negotiable for successful results.
Start by ordering Benjamin Moore sample pots or peel-and-stick samples. These allow you to evaluate the actual paint rather than relying on digital representations or small chips. Paint coverage on sample boards should be generous—apply at least two coats to see the true depth of the color.
Paint large test boards rather than small patches directly on your walls. Boards measuring at least 12 by 12 inches give you a realistic sense of how the color will read at scale. Move these boards around the room or along the exterior façade at different times of day to observe how morning light, afternoon sun, and artificial evening lighting affect the appearance. This rough estimate of behavior saves significant frustration later.
Take your time with this process. Living with samples for several days, through different weather conditions and lighting scenarios, provides confidence that Georgian Brick is the right choice for your space.
Get Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick at JC Licht
You can easily find Benjamin Moore Georgian Brick in sample sizes, quarts, or gallons at your local JC Licht store. Whether you're testing the color first or ready to start your full project, JC Licht offers the right size for your needs.
For personalized guidance, you can also schedule an in-home color consultation with one of our expert designers who will help you choose the perfect finish and coordinate the paint with your space. Visit https://jclicht.com/pages/color-at-home to schedule online or call (844) 525-7603.
