Northern Mystic vs Rain
Northern Mystic (Jotun) and Rain (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Northern Mystic belongs to the green-grey family and Rain to the blue-grey family. The 35-point LRV gap — 49 for Rain vs 15 for Northern Mystic — means Rain will open up a space more effectively. Where Northern Mystic leans neutral, Rain reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 31.6 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Northern Mystic vs Rain in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Seeing Northern Mystic and Rain in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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. Rain reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Northern Mystic.
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. Rain returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchens often have the harshest, most revealing light in the house — under-cabinet LEDs and overhead fixtures that strip away subtlety. Rain returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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. Rain returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Rain returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Northern Mystic vs Rain Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Northern Mystic on one side and Rain 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 Northern Mystic comparisons
See how Northern Mystic stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
