Breathtaking vs Mercurial
Breathtaking and Mercurial come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Hue-wise, Breathtaking belongs to the blue family and Mercurial to the greige-grey family. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 63 vs 61 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Breathtaking leans cool, Mercurial reads warm — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 13.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Breathtaking vs Mercurial Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Breathtaking on one side and Mercurial 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 Breathtaking comparisons
See how Breathtaking stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
