Downing Slate vs Sommelier
Downing Slate and Sommelier come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Downing Slate reads as blue-grey, while Sommelier reads as pink — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 15-point LRV gap — 21 for Downing Slate vs 5 for Sommelier — means Downing Slate will open up a space more effectively. Where Downing Slate leans neutral, Sommelier reads warm — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 33.5 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 4 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Downing Slate vs Sommelier in Real Spaces
4 real rooms side by side. Seeing Downing Slate and Sommelier in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Living Room
A living room wall sees more varied light than almost any other surface in the house, which makes the choice between these two more nuanced than a chip suggests. Downing Slate reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Sommelier.
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. Downing Slate returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Front Door
On a front door, the color is both the first and last thing you see — a context where even a modest tonal difference reads clearly. Downing Slate reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Sommelier.
Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet color is always seen in context — against countertops, backsplash, and hardware — which amplifies undertone differences that might disappear on a plain wall. Downing Slate returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
Color Details
Downing Slate vs Sommelier Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Downing Slate on one side and Sommelier 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.