Charleston Gray vs Artichoke
Charleston Gray (Farrow & Ball) and Artichoke (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Charleston Gray reads as greige-grey, while Artichoke reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 9-point LRV gap — 30 for Charleston Gray vs 21 for Artichoke — means Charleston Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where Charleston Gray leans warm, Artichoke reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 14.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Charleston Gray vs Artichoke in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Charleston Gray and Artichoke in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Charleston Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Artichoke.
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. Charleston Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Charleston Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Charleston Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Charleston Gray vs Artichoke Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Charleston Gray on one side and Artichoke 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 Charleston Gray comparisons
See how Charleston Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
