Pure White vs Rarified Air
Both are Sherwin-Williams colors. Hue-wise, Pure White belongs to the beige-greige family and Rarified Air to the blue-white family. At LRV 84 vs 78, Pure White will read as the brighter of the two — a 6-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. The tonal difference — Pure White's warm character against Rarified Air's cool — becomes most visible against white trim or in morning light. At ΔE 4.4, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Pure White vs Rarified Air in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Pure White and Rarified Air are close enough that the difference can be hard to judge from a chip alone — these photos show how each reads at scale, across different spaces and lighting conditions.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The brightness difference is modest but present — Pure White gives the walls a little more lift.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The brightness difference is modest but present — Pure White gives the walls a little more lift.
Color Details
Pure White vs Rarified Air Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Pure White on one side and Rarified Air 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 Pure White comparisons
See how Pure White stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
