Applesauce Cake vs Downing Straw
Where Applesauce Cake belongs to PPG's range, Downing Straw is a Sherwin-Williams color. Both sit in the beige family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Downing Straw (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than Applesauce Cake (LRV 38), a difference of 5 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. The ΔE 3.0 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. 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 Downing Straw Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Applesauce Cake on one side and Downing Straw 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.
