Old Salem Gray vs French Gray
Old Salem Gray (Benjamin Moore) and French Gray (Farrow & Ball) come from different manufacturers. These are both beige-greiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige-greige to land. The 11-point LRV gap — 43 for French Gray vs 32 for Old Salem Gray — means French Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Old Salem Gray leans yellow, French Gray reads warm — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 10.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Old Salem Gray vs French Gray in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Old Salem Gray and French Gray in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. French Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. French Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. French Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Old Salem Gray.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. French Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Old Salem Gray vs French Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Old Salem Gray on one side and French Gray 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 Old Salem Gray comparisons
See how Old Salem Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
