Autumn Orchid vs Thistle
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. With LRVs of 29 and 30, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Autumn Orchid's neutral character against Thistle's cool — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 7.7, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Autumn Orchid vs Thistle in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Autumn Orchid and Thistle 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.
Living Room
Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Autumn Orchid reads more restrained here, while Thistle adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Autumn Orchid vs Thistle Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Autumn Orchid on one side and Thistle 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.