Smoky Ash vs Pure White
Where Smoky Ash belongs to Benjamin Moore's range, Pure White is a Sherwin-Williams color. These are both beige-greiges, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within beige-greige to land. Pure White (LRV 84) reflects noticeably more light than Smoky Ash (LRV 27), a difference of 57 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Smoky Ash runs red while Pure White is decidedly warm, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 36.5, 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
Smoky Ash vs Pure White Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Smoky Ash on one side and Pure White 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 Smoky Ash comparisons
See how Smoky Ash stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 27, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 4-point LRV gap (30 vs 27) makes Evergreen Fog the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 60 vs 27, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
With LRVs of 27 and 27, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
At LRV 43 vs 27, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
Smoky Ash reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Smoky Ash reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
Smoky Ash reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 27), opening up a space where Smoky Ash encloses it.
A 4-point LRV gap (31 vs 27) makes Pale Green the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 27 vs 7, Smoky Ash is decisively the brighter choice.