Dix Blue vs Dover Surf
Dix Blue (Farrow & Ball) and Dover Surf (Valspar) come from different manufacturers. Dix Blue reads as blue-grey, while Dover Surf reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 12-point LRV gap — 53 for Dover Surf vs 41 for Dix Blue — means Dover Surf will open up a space more effectively. ΔE 8.9 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Dix Blue vs Dover Surf in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Dix Blue and Dover Surf 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. Dover Surf reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Dix Blue.
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. Dover Surf returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Dix Blue vs Dover Surf Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Dix Blue on one side and Dover Surf 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 Dix Blue comparisons
See how Dix Blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
