Esmeralda vs S 5040-B80G
Where Esmeralda belongs to Behr's range, S 5040-B80G is a NCS color. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Esmeralda (LRV 18) reflects noticeably more light than S 5040-B80G (LRV 8), a difference of 10 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Esmeralda runs green and blue while S 5040-B80G is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 21.9, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Esmeralda vs S 5040-B80G Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Esmeralda on one side and S 5040-B80G 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 Esmeralda comparisons
See how Esmeralda stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 18, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 18, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 18, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
Denim Drift reads slightly lighter (LRV 27 vs 18), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 18, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 18, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
Esmeralda reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
Esmeralda reads slightly lighter (LRV 18 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 18), opening up a space where Esmeralda encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 18, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 11-point LRV gap (18 vs 7) makes Esmeralda the marginally brighter of the two.
A 6-point LRV gap (24 vs 18) makes Cement grey the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 57 vs 18, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.