Carnelian vs Nearly Brown
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Hue-wise, Carnelian belongs to the pink family and Nearly Brown to the beige-greige family. Nearly Brown (LRV 29) reflects noticeably more light than Carnelian (LRV 6), a difference of 23 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 34.4, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Carnelian vs Nearly Brown Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Carnelian on one side and Nearly Brown 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 Carnelian comparisons
See how Carnelian stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 6, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 30 vs 6, Evergreen Fog is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 60 vs 6, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
Denim Drift reflects far more light (LRV 27 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
At LRV 43 vs 6, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 6, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
Pewter Green reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 6), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
Vintage Vogue reads slightly lighter (LRV 12 vs 6), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 6), opening up a space where Carnelian encloses it.
At LRV 31 vs 6, Pale Green is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 7 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 24 vs 6, Cement grey is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 57 vs 6, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.