Merlot Red vs Polished Slate
Both from Benjamin Moore's palette. Merlot Red reads as pink-red, while Polished Slate reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Polished Slate (LRV 15) reflects noticeably more light than Merlot Red (LRV 12), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Merlot Red runs red while Polished Slate is decidedly blue, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 60.2, 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
Merlot Red vs Polished Slate Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Merlot Red on one side and Polished Slate 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 Merlot Red comparisons
See how Merlot Red stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
