Distant blue vs Iron Ore
Distant blue (RAL Classic) and Iron Ore (Sherwin-Williams) come from different manufacturers. Distant blue reads as blue, while Iron Ore reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 11-point LRV gap — 16 for Distant blue vs 6 for Iron Ore — means Distant blue will open up a space more effectively. A ΔE of 28.9 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Distant blue vs Iron Ore in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Distant blue and Iron Ore in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
House
A full exterior is the most demanding test for a paint color — scale and outdoor light both amplify differences that seem small on a swatch. Distant blue 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. Distant blue returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Distant blue vs Iron Ore Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Distant blue on one side and Iron Ore 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 Distant blue comparisons
See how Distant blue stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
At LRV 69 vs 16, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 16, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 16, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
Mizzle reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 60 vs 16, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
Denim Drift reads slightly lighter (LRV 27 vs 16), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 16, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
A 12-point LRV gap (16 vs 4) makes Distant blue the marginally brighter of the two.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
With LRVs of 16 and 13, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 16, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (21 vs 16) makes Artichoke the marginally brighter of the two.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 51 vs 16, Pigeon is decisively the brighter choice.
Distant blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 16 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Distant blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 16 vs 8), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 41 vs 16, Dix Blue is decisively the brighter choice.
Distant blue reads slightly lighter (LRV 16 vs 12), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 16), opening up a space where Distant blue encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 16, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 9-point LRV gap (16 vs 7) makes Distant blue the marginally brighter of the two.