Darkroom vs Expressive Plum
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Expressive Plum (LRV 12) reflects noticeably more light than Darkroom (LRV 5), a difference of 7 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 14.1, 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
Darkroom vs Expressive Plum Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Darkroom on one side and Expressive Plum 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 Darkroom comparisons
See how Darkroom stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
