Balboa Mist vs Independent Gold
Where Balboa Mist belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Independent Gold is a Sherwin-Williams color. Balboa Mist reads as beige-greige, while Independent Gold reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Balboa Mist (LRV 66) reflects noticeably more light than Independent Gold (LRV 50), a difference of 15 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Balboa Mist runs red while Independent Gold is decidedly warm, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 27.3, 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
Balboa Mist vs Independent Gold Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balboa Mist on one side and Independent Gold 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 Balboa Mist comparisons
See how Balboa Mist stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
