Ash Violet vs Special Gray
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Ash Violet reads as grey-purple, while Special Gray reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Ash Violet (LRV 34) reflects noticeably more light than Special Gray (LRV 19), a difference of 15 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Ash Violet runs cool while Special Gray is decidedly neutral, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 15.2, 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
Ash Violet vs Special Gray Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ash Violet on one side and Special Gray 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 Ash Violet comparisons
See how Ash Violet stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
