Salamander vs Black Magic
Salamander is a Benjamin Moore color while Black Magic comes from Sherwin-Williams. Hue-wise, Salamander belongs to the blue-grey family and Black Magic to the grey family. At LRV 6 vs 3, Salamander will read as the brighter of the two — a 3-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Salamander's blue character against Black Magic's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 8.2, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Salamander vs Black Magic in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Salamander and Black Magic are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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. Salamander reads more restrained here, while Black Magic adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The temperature contrast between Black Magic and Salamander is what sets these apart most in this context.
Dining Room
Dining room light is typically the warmest in the house, which shifts both colors toward the red end of the spectrum compared to daylight. Black Magic brings more warmth to the space, while Salamander keeps things cooler and crisper.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The temperature contrast between Black Magic and Salamander is what sets these apart most in this context.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The temperature contrast between Black Magic and Salamander is what sets these apart most in this context.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The temperature contrast between Black Magic and Salamander is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Salamander vs Black Magic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Salamander 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 Salamander comparisons
See how Salamander stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
