Basil vs Rocky River
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, Basil belongs to the green-grey family and Rocky River to the blue-green family. With LRVs of 15 and 15, they'll behave almost identically in terms of how much light they reflect back into a room. The tonal difference — Basil's neutral character against Rocky River's cool — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 5.3, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 6 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Basil vs Rocky River in Real Spaces
6 real rooms side by side. Basil and Rocky River 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. Basil reads more restrained here, while Rocky River adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Bedroom
Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The temperature contrast between Rocky River and Basil is what sets these apart most in this context.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The temperature contrast between Rocky River and Basil is what sets these apart most in this context.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The temperature contrast between Rocky River and Basil is what sets these apart most in this context.
House
At full exterior scale, the difference between these two colors becomes much easier to judge than from a small chip. The temperature contrast between Rocky River and Basil is what sets these apart most in this context.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The temperature contrast between Rocky River and Basil is what sets these apart most in this context.
Color Details
Basil vs Rocky River Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Basil on one side and Rocky River 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 Basil comparisons
See how Basil stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 15, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 15, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 15, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 15, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 15, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
With LRVs of 15 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
With LRVs of 15 and 12, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 15), opening up a space where Basil encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 15, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (15 vs 7) makes Basil the marginally brighter of the two.
A 10-point LRV gap (24 vs 15) makes Cement grey the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 57 vs 15, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.