James vs Smoky Azurite
James (Little Greene) and Smoky Azurite (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Hue-wise, James belongs to the blue-grey family and Smoky Azurite to the blue family. The 5-point LRV gap — 30 for James vs 25 for Smoky Azurite — means James will open up a space more effectively. Where James leans blue, Smoky Azurite reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 6.3 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
James vs Smoky Azurite in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. James and Smoky Azurite are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
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. James reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
James vs Smoky Azurite Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see James on one side and Smoky Azurite 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 James comparisons
See how James stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
