Calico vs Cyclamen
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Calico reads as blue-green, while Cyclamen reads as pink — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Calico (LRV 35) reflects noticeably more light than Cyclamen (LRV 28), a difference of 6 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. With a ΔE of 42.4, 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 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Calico vs Cyclamen in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Calico and Cyclamen in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
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 brightness difference is modest but present — Calico gives the walls a little more lift.
Kitchen
In a kitchen, colors are seen under bright task lighting that amplifies undertones — what reads neutral elsewhere can show its hand here. Calico reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Bathroom
Bathrooms are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Calico reads slightly lighter here — a subtle but real difference in how open the space feels.
Color Details
Calico vs Cyclamen Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Calico on one side and Cyclamen 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.