Cromarty vs Pearl Gray
Cromarty (Farrow & Ball) and Pearl Gray (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Cromarty reads as greige-grey, while Pearl Gray reads as green-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 60 vs 61 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Cromarty leans warm, Pearl Gray reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 3.0 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Cromarty vs Pearl Gray in Real Spaces
3 real rooms side by side. Cromarty and Pearl Gray 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. Cromarty brings more warmth to the space, while Pearl Gray keeps things cooler and crisper.
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. Pearl Gray reads more restrained here, while Cromarty adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Pearl Gray reads more restrained here, while Cromarty adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Cromarty vs Pearl Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Cromarty on one side and Pearl Gray 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 Cromarty comparisons
See how Cromarty stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
