Carnelian vs Thames Fog
Where Carnelian belongs to Sherwin-Williams's range, Thames Fog is a Valspar color. Carnelian reads as pink, while Thames Fog reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Thames Fog (LRV 27) reflects noticeably more light than Carnelian (LRV 6), a difference of 22 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. With a ΔE of 33.6, 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 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Carnelian vs Thames Fog in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Carnelian and Thames Fog in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Thames Fog reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Carnelian.
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. Thames Fog reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Carnelian.
Color Details
Carnelian vs Thames Fog Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Carnelian on one side and Thames Fog 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.
