The floor finish is the reference
Judge Black Forest Green against your actual wood finish, not a generic wood species label. The starting material direction here is cream trim and warm brick. Black Forest Green has even less reflectance than Essex Green, so it should be considered as a near-black color first.
Cream trim can retain the architectural outline against warm brick, with green appearing as a subtle additional quality rather than a promise.
Test the dominant wood color, not one grain line
Check the outline between Black Forest 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.
Black Forest Green has an LRV of 4.85; Benjamin Moore Essex Green HC-188 is 5.64. The difference is 0.79 points, with Essex Green returning more light under the reference measurement.
The condition for keeping Black Forest Green
Examine a shaded sample first; the near-black appearance should be welcome rather than a surprise. The undertones and neighboring colors covers that related choice.
Keep the Black Forest 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 Black Forest Green HC-187. The recorded LRV is 4.85. 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.