Clean Slate vs Rarified Air
Clean Slate and Rarified Air come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Clean Slate reads as blue-green, while Rarified Air reads as blue-white — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 76 vs 78 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Clean Slate leans neutral, Rarified Air reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 1.3 puts them in subtle territory — distinguishable in direct comparison, less so from across a room. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Clean Slate vs Rarified Air in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Clean Slate and Rarified Air are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Small bathrooms intensify color. A shade that seems quiet in a larger room can feel immersive when you're surrounded by it on four walls. Clean Slate reads more restrained here, while Rarified Air adds a sense of enclosure and warmth.
Color Details
Clean Slate vs Rarified Air Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Clean Slate on one side and Rarified Air 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.