French Gray vs Ruby Violet
Where French Gray belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, Ruby Violet is a Sherwin-Williams color. French Gray reads as beige-greige, while Ruby Violet reads as grey-purple — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. French Gray (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than Ruby Violet (LRV 24), a difference of 20 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. French Gray runs warm while Ruby Violet is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 27.2, 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 Ruby Violet Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and Ruby Violet 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.
