Applesauce Cake vs Black Magic
Both from PPG's palette. Applesauce Cake reads as beige, while Black Magic reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Applesauce Cake (LRV 38) reflects noticeably more light than Black Magic (LRV 4), a difference of 34 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 49.8, 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
Applesauce Cake vs Black Magic Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Applesauce Cake on one side and Black Magic 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 Applesauce Cake comparisons
See how Applesauce Cake stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 69 vs 38, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
Applesauce Cake reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 38, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (38 vs 30) makes Applesauce Cake the marginally brighter of the two.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 38, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
Applesauce Cake reads slightly lighter (LRV 38 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 5-point LRV gap (43 vs 38) makes French Gray the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 38 vs 4, Applesauce Cake is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
Applesauce Cake reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 38, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 38 vs 21, Applesauce Cake is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
At LRV 51 vs 38, Pigeon is decisively the brighter choice.
Applesauce Cake reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Applesauce Cake reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 8), opening up a space where Duck Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 38), opening up a space where Applesauce Cake encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (41 vs 38) makes Dix Blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Applesauce Cake reflects far more light (LRV 38 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 38), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 7-point LRV gap (38 vs 31) makes Applesauce Cake the marginally brighter of the two.