Cape Blue vs Desert Shadows
Both from Benjamin Moore's palette. Cape Blue reads as blue, while Desert Shadows reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Cape Blue (LRV 47) reflects noticeably more light than Desert Shadows (LRV 12), a difference of 35 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Cape Blue runs blue while Desert Shadows is decidedly red, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 40.1, 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
Cape Blue vs Desert Shadows Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cape Blue on one side and Desert Shadows 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 Cape Blue comparisons
See how Cape Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 47), opening up a space where Cape Blue encloses it.
A 5-point LRV gap (52 vs 47) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 47 vs 30, Cape Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 47, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reads slightly lighter (LRV 58 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cape Blue reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (47 vs 43) makes Cape Blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter (LRV 55 vs 47), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Cape Blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 47 vs 44), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 47, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 47), opening up a space where Cape Blue encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 47), opening up a space where Cape Blue encloses it.
Cape Blue reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 47), opening up a space where Cape Blue encloses it.
Cape Blue reflects far more light (LRV 47 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
With LRVs of 47 and 45, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 47 vs 31, Cape Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 7, Cape Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 47 vs 24, Cape Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (57 vs 47) makes Guilford Green the marginally brighter of the two.