Metropolis vs Plum Brown
Metropolis and Plum Brown come from the same Sherwin-Williams collection. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. Their light reflectance values are nearly the same — 8 vs 6 — so neither will read significantly brighter or darker than the other. Where Metropolis leans neutral, Plum Brown reads cool — a distinction that shifts noticeably depending on the light source and surrounding finishes. ΔE 6.8 means they're clearly different, but not dramatically so — they'd pair well in the same room. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Metropolis vs Plum Brown Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Metropolis on one side and Plum Brown 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 Metropolis comparisons
See how Metropolis stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
Ammonite reflects far more light (LRV 69 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
At LRV 83 vs 8, White Dove is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 8 vs 6), so neither reads brighter in a room.
Purbeck Stone reflects far more light (LRV 52 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
Evergreen Fog reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 8, Mizzle is decisively the brighter choice.
Agreeable Gray reflects far more light (LRV 60 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
At LRV 58 vs 8, Accessible Beige is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 27 vs 8, Denim Drift is decisively the brighter choice.
French Gray reflects far more light (LRV 43 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
Metropolis reads slightly lighter (LRV 8 vs 4), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 55 vs 8, Tranquil Dawn is decisively the brighter choice.
A 5-point LRV gap (13 vs 8) makes Bancha the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 44 vs 8, Hardwick White is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reflects far more light (LRV 84 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
Artichoke reflects far more light (LRV 21 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
At LRV 66 vs 8, Balboa Mist is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 74 vs 8, Shoji White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 83 vs 8, Snowbound is decisively the brighter choice.
Pigeon reflects far more light (LRV 51 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (12 vs 8) makes Pewter Green the marginally brighter of the two.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 8 vs 8), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 8, Skimming Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Dix Blue reflects far more light (LRV 41 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.
A 3-point LRV gap (12 vs 8) makes Vintage Vogue the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 45 vs 8, Saybrook Sage is decisively the brighter choice.
Pale Green reflects far more light (LRV 31 vs 8), opening up a space where Metropolis encloses it.