Steam vs Vanderberg Blue paint color comparison

Steam vs Vanderberg Blue

SteamBenjamin MoorevsVanderberg BlueBenjamin MooreΔE 58.5 — Very different colors

Both from Benjamin Moore's palette. Steam reads as beige-greige, while Vanderberg Blue reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Steam (LRV 84) reflects noticeably more light than Vanderberg Blue (LRV 11), a difference of 73 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Steam runs yellow while Vanderberg Blue is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 58.5, 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

Steam
Benjamin Moore · AF-15
LRV84.2
BrandBenjamin Moore
NumberAF-15
UndertoneYellow
TemperatureWarm
BrightnessLight
Vanderberg Blue
Benjamin Moore · 721
LRV11.1
BrandBenjamin Moore
Number721
Undertone—
TemperatureCool
BrightnessDark

Steam vs Vanderberg Blue Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Steam on one side and Vanderberg Blue on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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.