Aleutian vs Faded Flaxflower
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Faded Flaxflower (LRV 44) reflects noticeably more light than Aleutian (LRV 38), a difference of 5 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean cool, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 4.2 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Aleutian vs Faded Flaxflower in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Aleutian and Faded Flaxflower 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.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Faded Flaxflower reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Faded Flaxflower reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Aleutian vs Faded Flaxflower Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Aleutian on one side and Faded Flaxflower 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 Aleutian comparisons
See how Aleutian stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
