Esmeralda vs Ionian
Esmeralda (Behr) and Ionian (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 18 vs 20 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Esmeralda leans green and blue, Ionian reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 5.2 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Esmeralda vs Ionian in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Esmeralda and Ionian are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Color Details
Esmeralda vs Ionian Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Esmeralda on one side and Ionian 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.
