Dorian Gray vs Knitting Needles
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Knitting Needles (LRV 53) reflects noticeably more light than Dorian Gray (LRV 39), a difference of 15 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. The ΔE 9.8 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Dorian Gray vs Knitting Needles in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Dorian Gray and Knitting Needles 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.
Bedroom
The context that matters most in a bedroom is how a color reads under a bedside lamp at night, not under noon daylight. Knitting Needles reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Dorian Gray.
Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are constantly compared against adjacent materials, which means subtle differences between these two become much more visible. Knitting Needles reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Dorian Gray.
Color Details
Dorian Gray vs Knitting Needles Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Dorian Gray on one side and Knitting Needles 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.