French Gray vs Purple Essence
Where French Gray belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, Purple Essence is a PPG color. Hue-wise, French Gray belongs to the beige-greige family and Purple Essence to the purple family. Purple Essence (LRV 47) reflects noticeably more light than French Gray (LRV 43), a difference of 4 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 25.3, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
French Gray vs Purple Essence Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and Purple Essence 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.
