Willow vs Iron Ore
Willow (Benjamin Moore) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Willow belongs to the greige-grey family and Iron Ore to the grey family. The 4-point LRV gap — 9 for Willow vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Willow will open up a space more effectively. Where Willow leans red, Iron Ore reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 7.0 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Willow vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Willow and Iron Ore 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.
Dining Room
Dining rooms often rely on warm incandescent or candlelight, which flatters warm undertones and mutes cool ones. The brightness difference is modest but present — Willow gives the walls a little more lift.
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. Willow has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Willow vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Willow on one side and Iron Ore 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 Willow comparisons
See how Willow stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 83 vs 9, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 9, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 9, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
At LRV 55 vs 9, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 44 vs 9, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 9, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 9, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 9, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 12 vs 9), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 45 vs 9, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
With LRVs of 9 and 7, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Cement grey reflects far more light (LRV 24 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
Guilford Green reflects far more light (LRV 57 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.
Just Walnut reflects far more light (LRV 72 vs 9), opening up a space where Willow encloses it.