Cook's Blue vs Obsidian Green
Cook's Blue (Farrow & Ball) and Obsidian Green (Little Greene) come from different manufacturers. Cook's Blue reads as blue, while Obsidian Green reads as green — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 24-point LRV gap — 25 for Cook's Blue vs 1 for Obsidian Green — means Cook's Blue will open up a space more effectively. Where Cook's Blue leans cool, Obsidian Green reads green — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 54.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Cook's Blue vs Obsidian Green in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Seeing Cook's Blue and Obsidian Green 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. Cook's Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Obsidian Green.
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. Cook's Blue 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. Cook's Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Cook's Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Cook's Blue reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Obsidian Green.
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. Cook's Blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Cook's Blue vs Obsidian Green Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cook's Blue on one side and Obsidian Green 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 Cook's Blue comparisons
See how Cook's Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
