De Nimes vs Downing Slate
De Nimes (Farrow & Ball) and Downing Slate (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. These are both blue-greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue-grey to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 19 vs 21 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where De Nimes leans cool, Downing Slate reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 4.7 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
De Nimes vs Downing Slate in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. De Nimes and Downing Slate 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. Downing Slate brings more warmth to the space, while De Nimes 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. De Nimes reads more restrained here, while Downing Slate 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. De Nimes reads more restrained here, while Downing Slate adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. De Nimes reads more restrained here, while Downing Slate adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Downing Slate brings more warmth to the space, while De Nimes keeps things cooler and crisper.
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. De Nimes reads more restrained here, while Downing Slate adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
De Nimes vs Downing Slate Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see De Nimes on one side and Downing Slate 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 De Nimes comparisons
See how De Nimes stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
