Open Air vs Retiring Blue
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. These are both blues, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within blue to land. Retiring Blue (LRV 79) reflects noticeably more light than Open Air (LRV 70), a difference of 9 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. The ΔE 4.4 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Open Air vs Retiring Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Open Air on one side and Retiring Blue 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 Open Air comparisons
See how Open Air stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 70), opening up a space where Open Air encloses it.
At LRV 70 vs 52, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 70 vs 30, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
A 10-point LRV gap (70 vs 60) makes Open Air the marginally brighter of the two.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 58), opening up a space where Accessible Beige encloses it.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 27), opening up a space where Denim Drift encloses it.
At LRV 70 vs 43, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 55), opening up a space where Tranquil Dawn encloses it.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 44), opening up a space where Hardwick White encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 70, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Open Air reads slightly lighter (LRV 70 vs 66), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Shoji White reads slightly lighter (LRV 74 vs 70), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
With LRVs of 70 and 68, the two reflect almost the same amount of light.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Open Air reflects far more light (LRV 70 vs 45), opening up a space where Saybrook Sage encloses it.
At LRV 70 vs 31, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 70 vs 7, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 70 vs 24, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 70 vs 57, Open Air is decisively the brighter choice.