Downtown vs Iron Ore
Where Downtown belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Iron Ore is a Sherwin-Williams color. Downtown reads as greige-grey, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Downtown (LRV 33) reflects noticeably more light than Iron Ore (LRV 6), a difference of 27 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Downtown runs red while Iron Ore is decidedly neutral, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 36.8, 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
Downtown vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Downtown on one side and Iron Ore 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 Downtown comparisons
See how Downtown stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 33, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 33 vs 30), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 60 vs 33, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Downtown reads slightly lighter (LRV 33 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 10-point LRV gap (43 vs 33) makes French Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 33), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 33, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Downtown reflects far more light (LRV 33 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Downtown reflects far more light (LRV 33 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Downtown reflects far more light (LRV 33 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 33), opening up a space where Downtown encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 33 vs 31), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 33 vs 7, Downtown is decisively the brighter choice.