Calico vs Darkroom
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, Calico belongs to the blue-green family and Darkroom to the grey family. At LRV 35 vs 5, Calico will read as the brighter of the two — a 30-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Calico's cool character against Darkroom's neutral — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 40.7, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Calico vs Darkroom in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Calico and Darkroom 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
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. Calico returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Kitchen
Kitchen lighting tends to be bright and directional, which sharpens contrast and makes undertone differences more apparent. The LRV gap is large enough that Calico will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Darkroom would.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Calico will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Darkroom would.
Front Door
Front doors are seen in isolation against the rest of the facade, which makes them a high-stakes surface where even subtle differences matter. Calico returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Calico vs Darkroom Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Calico on one side and Darkroom 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.