Bittersweet Stem
There is more to Sherwin-Williams Bittersweet Stem (7536) than the swatch alone: its depth, undertones and setting all shape the final impression. An LRV of 47.8 places it through the middle of the scale, where color and depth can remain visible as the light changes. 12 sourced room photos offer a closer look at the color in lived-in settings.
Hex
#CBB49ALRV
47.84
Bittersweet Stem's Color Strip
Bittersweet Stem is the third shade on this 7-color strip, sitting between Row House Tan and Cork Wedge. The strip spans from Colony Buff at the lightest end to Burnished Brandy at the deepest. Strip 292 lines up the full value range so you can see exactly where this color lands among its closest relatives.
Bittersweet Stem in Rooms
Follow Bittersweet Stem from one space to another and watch how light, scale and surrounding materials reshape its character. 12 sourced room photos offer a closer look at the color in lived-in settings.
2 Bedroom Photos
The 2 bedroom images turn a yellow swatch into something more spatial and expressive. Its midtone saturation keeps the color expressive without letting it dominate every surface around it.
Bedroom walls painted Bittersweet Stem introduce warm, earthy comfort.
@thebetsyslay
Warm walls in Bittersweet Stem create an inviting bedroom retreat.
@thebetsyslay
7 Living Room Photos
7 living room images place Bittersweet Stem (7536) in a space shaped by conversation, quiet evenings and changing daylight. An LRV of 47.8 lets the color hold its identity across both brighter and more shaded parts of the room.
Living room walls in Bittersweet Stem balance warmth and sophistication.
@sinn.painting
3 Misc Photos
Against a changing mix of architectural details and personal finishes, Bittersweet Stem (7536) may feel quieter, sharper or more atmospheric than the digital swatch alone. An LRV of 47.8 lets the color hold its identity across both brighter and more shaded parts of the room.
Warm terracotta walls in Bittersweet Stem create a cozy living space.
@josephriverspainting
Entryway walls glow with the rich warmth of Bittersweet Stem.
@josephriverspainting
Deep rust-toned walls painted in Bittersweet Stem anchor the room.
@gqpainting.llc
Coordinating Colors
At LRV 81 vs 48, Creamy is decisively the brighter choice.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 15), opening up a space where Homburg Gray encloses it.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 14), opening up a space where Red Tomato encloses it.
Trim Color
At LRV 81 vs 48, Creamy is decisively the brighter choice.
Similar Colors
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 48 vs 46), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 49 vs 48), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 48 vs 47), so neither reads brighter in a room.
With LRVs of 49 and 48, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 48 and 47, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
With LRVs of 48 and 47, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 48 vs 48), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 50 vs 48), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 50 vs 48), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 4-point LRV gap (52 vs 48) makes Row House Tan the marginally brighter of the two.
Complementary Colors
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 6), opening up a space where Mount Etna encloses it.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 34), opening up a space where Debonair encloses it.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 7), opening up a space where Tarragon encloses it.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 11), opening up a space where Rain Cloud encloses it.
Bittersweet Stem reflects far more light (LRV 48 vs 7), opening up a space where Sea Mariner encloses it.
Starry Night reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 48), opening up a space where Bittersweet Stem encloses it.
At LRV 48 vs 20, Bittersweet Stem is decisively the brighter choice.
Lighter Colors
Simplify Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 59 vs 48), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Modest White reflects far more light (LRV 73 vs 48), opening up a space where Bittersweet Stem encloses it.
At LRV 65 vs 48, Natural Tan is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (54 vs 48) makes Urban Putty the marginally brighter of the two.
A 4-point LRV gap (51 vs 48) makes Downing Sand the marginally brighter of the two.
Darker Colors
At LRV 48 vs 34, Bittersweet Stem is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 48 vs 31, Bittersweet Stem is decisively the brighter choice.
Bittersweet Stem reads slightly lighter (LRV 48 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Bittersweet Stem reads slightly lighter (LRV 48 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 6-point LRV gap (48 vs 42) makes Bittersweet Stem the marginally brighter of the two.
Color Codes
Manufacturer description
Like golden hour light filtering through autumn leaves, this warm medium yellow carries subtle earthy undertones that feel both inviting and grounded. Perfect for kitchens, dining rooms, or creative spaces where you want energy without overwhelming brightness.
Attributed to Sherwin-Williams catalog data.