Ionian vs Thistle
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Ionian reads as blue, while Thistle reads as grey — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Thistle (LRV 30) reflects noticeably more light than Ionian (LRV 20), a difference of 10 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean cool, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 44.0, 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
Ionian vs Thistle Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Ionian on one side and Thistle 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 Ionian comparisons
See how Ionian stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
