French Gray vs S 3005-G20Y
French Gray (Farrow & Ball) and S 3005-G20Y (NCS) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, French Gray belongs to the beige-greige family and S 3005-G20Y to the grey family. The 3-point LRV gap — 43 for French Gray vs 40 for S 3005-G20Y — means French Gray will open up a space more effectively. Where French Gray leans warm, S 3005-G20Y reads neutral — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 9.6 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.
French Gray vs S 3005-G20Y in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. French Gray and S 3005-G20Y 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. French Gray brings more warmth to the space, while S 3005-G20Y 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. S 3005-G20Y reads more restrained here, while French Gray adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
French Gray vs S 3005-G20Y Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and S 3005-G20Y 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 French Gray comparisons
See how French Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
