Blue Refrain vs Vast Sky
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. Blue Refrain (LRV 64) reflects noticeably more light than Vast Sky (LRV 55), a difference of 9 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 5.5 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.
Blue Refrain vs Vast Sky in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Blue Refrain and Vast Sky 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
In a living room, color works across both daylight and evening light — the same wall can read very differently at noon and at 8pm. The LRV gap is large enough that Blue Refrain will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Vast Sky would.
Front Door
A front door is a focal point — small color differences read clearly at this concentrated scale. The LRV gap is large enough that Blue Refrain will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Vast Sky would.
Color Details
Blue Refrain vs Vast Sky Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Blue Refrain on one side and Vast Sky 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.