Northern Mystic vs Waterloo
Northern Mystic (Jotun) and Waterloo (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, Northern Mystic belongs to the green-grey family and Waterloo to the blue family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 15 vs 13 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Northern Mystic leans neutral, Waterloo reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 14.7 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Northern Mystic vs Waterloo in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Northern Mystic and Waterloo 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. Waterloo brings more warmth to the space, while Northern Mystic 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. Northern Mystic reads more restrained here, while Waterloo adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Northern Mystic reads more restrained here, while Waterloo adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
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. Northern Mystic reads more restrained here, while Waterloo adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Northern Mystic vs Waterloo Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Northern Mystic on one side and Waterloo 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.
