Downing Straw vs Dusty Heather
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Downing Straw reads as beige, while Dusty Heather reads as blue-grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Downing Straw (LRV 43) reflects noticeably more light than Dusty Heather (LRV 28), a difference of 15 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Downing Straw runs warm while Dusty Heather is decidedly cool, which means they'll respond very differently to warm vs cool light sources. With a ΔE of 40.7, 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
Downing Straw vs Dusty Heather Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Downing Straw on one side and Dusty Heather 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 Downing Straw comparisons
See how Downing Straw stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
