Bancha vs String
Both from Farrow & Ball's palette. Bancha reads as beige-greige, while String reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. String (LRV 62) reflects noticeably more light than Bancha (LRV 13), a difference of 49 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 39.9, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Bancha vs String in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Bancha and String in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. String reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Bancha.
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. String reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Bancha.
Color Details
Bancha vs String Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Bancha on one side and String 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 Bancha comparisons
See how Bancha stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
