Balsam vs Gray Owl
Balsam and Gray Owl come from the same Benjamin Moore collection. Hue-wise, Balsam belongs to the green family and Gray Owl to the grey family. The 49-point LRV gap — 65 for Gray Owl vs 15 for Balsam — means Gray Owl will open up a space more effectively. Where Balsam leans green, Gray Owl reads yellow — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 44.4 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Balsam vs Gray Owl Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balsam on one side and Gray Owl 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 Balsam comparisons
See how Balsam stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 15, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 15, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
A 12-point LRV gap (27 vs 15) makes Denim Drift the marginally brighter of the two.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 15, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 44 vs 15, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 15, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 15, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (15 vs 12) makes Balsam the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 68 vs 15, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 3-point LRV gap (15 vs 12) makes Balsam the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 45 vs 15, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.
Balsam reads slightly lighter (LRV 15 vs 7), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cement grey reads slightly lighter (LRV 24 vs 15), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 15), opening up a space where Balsam encloses it.