Modern Lavender vs Opalescent
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Both sit in the blue-grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. Opalescent (LRV 75) reflects noticeably more light than Modern Lavender (LRV 40), a difference of 34 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean neutral, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. With a ΔE of 19.8, 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
Modern Lavender vs Opalescent Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Modern Lavender on one side and Opalescent 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 Modern Lavender comparisons
See how Modern Lavender stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
At LRV 69 vs 40, Ammonite is decisively the brighter choice.
Modern Lavender reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 6), opening up a space where Iron Ore encloses it.
A 11-point LRV gap (52 vs 40) makes Purbeck Stone the marginally brighter of the two.
A 10-point LRV gap (40 vs 30) makes Modern Lavender the marginally brighter of the two.
Mizzle reads slightly lighter (LRV 52 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 60 vs 40, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Modern Lavender reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 43 vs 40), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 40 vs 4, Modern Lavender is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Modern Lavender reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 13), opening up a space where Bancha encloses it.
Hardwick White reads slightly lighter (LRV 44 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 84 vs 40, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 40 vs 21, Modern Lavender is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Snowbound reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Modern Lavender reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 40), opening up a space where Modern Lavender encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 41 vs 40), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 68 vs 40, Calamine is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 40 vs 25, Modern Lavender is decisively the brighter choice.
Modern Lavender reflects far more light (LRV 40 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reads slightly lighter (LRV 45 vs 40), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
A 9-point LRV gap (40 vs 31) makes Modern Lavender the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 40 vs 7, Modern Lavender is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 40 vs 24, Modern Lavender is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 57 vs 40, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.