Balmy vs Retreat
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Balmy belongs to the blue family and Retreat to the grey family. Balmy (LRV 66) reflects noticeably more light than Retreat (LRV 21), a difference of 45 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Balmy runs cool while Retreat is decidedly neutral, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 33.8, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Balmy vs Retreat in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Balmy and Retreat in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Balmy reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Retreat.
Color Details
Balmy vs Retreat Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Balmy on one side and Retreat 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.