Calico vs Thistle
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Calico reads as blue-green, while Thistle reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Calico (LRV 35) reflects noticeably more light than Thistle (LRV 30), a difference of 4 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 23.1, 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 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Calico vs Thistle in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Calico and Thistle in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Color Details
Calico vs Thistle Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Calico on one side and Thistle 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.