French Gray vs Sturdy Brown
Where French Gray belongs to Farrow & Ball's range, Sturdy Brown is a Sherwin-Williams color. Hue-wise, French Gray belongs to the beige-greige family and Sturdy Brown to the beige family. French Gray (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than Sturdy Brown (LRV 8), a difference of 35 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 41.8, 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 Sturdy Brown Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see French Gray on one side and Sturdy Brown 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.
