Optimistic Yellow vs They call it Mellow
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Optimistic Yellow reads as beige-yellow, while They call it Mellow reads as beige — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. They call it Mellow (LRV 79) reflects noticeably more light than Optimistic Yellow (LRV 76), a difference of 3 points that becomes especially apparent in rooms with limited natural light. Both lean warm, so they'll behave similarly in mixed or changing light conditions. The ΔE 5.4 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
Optimistic Yellow vs They call it Mellow Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Optimistic Yellow on one side and They call it Mellow 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 Optimistic Yellow comparisons
See how Optimistic Yellow stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
A 7-point LRV gap (83 vs 76) makes White Dove the marginally brighter of the two.
Optimistic Yellow reads slightly lighter (LRV 76 vs 69), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 76 vs 6, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 52), opening up a space where Purbeck Stone encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 30), opening up a space where Evergreen Fog encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 52, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 60), opening up a space where Agreeable Gray encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 58, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 76 vs 27, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 43), opening up a space where French Gray encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 4), opening up a space where Naval encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 55, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 76 vs 13, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 76 vs 44, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
Pure White reads slightly lighter (LRV 84 vs 76), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 21), opening up a space where Artichoke encloses it.
A 10-point LRV gap (76 vs 66) makes Optimistic Yellow the marginally brighter of the two.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 76 vs 74), so neither reads brighter in a room.
A 7-point LRV gap (83 vs 76) makes Snowbound the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 76 vs 12, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
A 8-point LRV gap (76 vs 68) makes Optimistic Yellow the marginally brighter of the two.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 41), opening up a space where Dix Blue encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reads slightly lighter (LRV 76 vs 68), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 25), opening up a space where Treron encloses it.
At LRV 76 vs 12, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
At LRV 76 vs 45, Optimistic Yellow is decisively the brighter choice.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 31), opening up a space where Pale Green encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 7), opening up a space where Pine Needle encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 24), opening up a space where Cement grey encloses it.
Optimistic Yellow reflects far more light (LRV 76 vs 57), opening up a space where Guilford Green encloses it.