Paper White vs Black Magic
Paper White is a Benjamin Moore color while Black Magic comes from Sherwin-Williams. Paper White reads as green-grey, while Black Magic reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. At LRV 74 vs 3, Paper White will read as the brighter of the two — a 71-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Paper White's green character against Black Magic's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 69.2, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Paper White vs Black Magic in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Paper White and Black Magic in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Paper White returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Paper White will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Black Magic would.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The LRV gap is large enough that Paper White will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Black Magic would.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Paper White will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Black Magic would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Paper White will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Black Magic would.
Color Details
Paper White vs Black Magic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Paper White on one side and Black Magic 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 Paper White comparisons
See how Paper White stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
