Abstract Idea vs Dover Surf
Where Abstract Idea belongs to Cloverdale Paint's range, Dover Surf is a Valspar color. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Abstract Idea (LRV 62) reflects noticeably more light than Dover Surf (LRV 53), a difference of 9 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 6.7 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Abstract Idea vs Dover Surf in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Abstract Idea and Dover Surf 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
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that Abstract Idea will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Dover Surf would.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Abstract Idea reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Dover Surf.
Color Details
Abstract Idea vs Dover Surf Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Abstract Idea on one side and Dover Surf 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 Abstract Idea comparisons
See how Abstract Idea stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
