Gentian vs Paper Lantern
Gentian and Paper Lantern come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. Gentian reads as blue, while Paper Lantern reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. The 58-point LRV gap — 76 for Paper Lantern vs 18 for Gentian — means Paper Lantern will open up a space more effectively. Where Gentian leans cool, Paper Lantern reads warm — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. A ΔE of 61.2 puts these firmly in different territory — two distinct design choices rather than close alternatives. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Gentian vs Paper Lantern in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Seeing Gentian and Paper Lantern 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. Paper Lantern reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Gentian.
Color Details
Gentian vs Paper Lantern Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Gentian on one side and Paper Lantern 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.