Aqua Fresco vs Artichoke
Aqua Fresco (Behr) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Aqua Fresco belongs to the blue family and Artichoke to the grey family. The 3-point LRV gap — 24 for Aqua Fresco vs 21 for Artichoke — means Aqua Fresco will open up a space more effectively. Where Aqua Fresco leans blue, Artichoke reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 31.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Aqua Fresco vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Aqua Fresco and Artichoke in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Artichoke brings more warmth to the space, while Aqua Fresco keeps things cooler and crisper.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Aqua Fresco reads more restrained here, while Artichoke adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Aqua Fresco reads more restrained here, while Artichoke adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Aqua Fresco reads more restrained here, while Artichoke adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Aqua Fresco reads more restrained here, while Artichoke adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Aqua Fresco vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Aqua Fresco on one side and Artichoke on the other.
Digital color is approximate. These simulations are generated from the manufacturer's hex values and overlaid on grayscale room photos — your screen's calibration, brightness, and viewing angle all affect how they render. Before committing to either color, test physical samples in your own space under the light you actually live with.
More Aqua Fresco comparisons
See how Aqua Fresco stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 24, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 24 vs 6, Aqua Fresco is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reads slightly lighter (LRV 30 vs 24), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 52 vs 24, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 24, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 27 vs 24), so neither reads brighter in a room.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
Aqua Fresco reflects far more light (LRV 24 vs 4), opening up a space where Naval encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 24, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (24 vs 13) makes Aqua Fresco the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 44 vs 24, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 24, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 24, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 24, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Pigeon reflects far more light (LRV 51 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
At LRV 24 vs 12, Aqua Fresco is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 24 vs 8, Aqua Fresco is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 68 vs 24, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 24), opening up a space where Aqua Fresco encloses it.
At LRV 24 vs 12, Aqua Fresco is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 45 vs 24, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 31 vs 24), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Aqua Fresco reflects far more light (LRV 24 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.