Calluna vs RAL 860-3
Calluna (Farrow & Ball) and RAL 860-3 (RAL Effect) come from different manufacturers. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. The 3-point LRV gap — 57 for Calluna vs 54 for RAL 860-3 — means Calluna will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 3.9 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Calluna vs RAL 860-3 in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Calluna and RAL 860-3 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
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Calluna reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Bedroom
Bedrooms are typically lit with warmer, lower light than the rest of the house — a condition that flatters warm tones and deepens cool ones. Calluna has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Calluna has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
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. Calluna has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Calluna has the edge in reflectance, which shows as a quiet sense of added space rather than an obvious contrast.
Color Details
Calluna vs RAL 860-3 Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Calluna on one side and RAL 860-3 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 Calluna comparisons
See how Calluna stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
