Rarified Air vs Rhythmic Blue
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Rarified Air reads as blue-white, while Rhythmic Blue reads as blue — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Rarified Air (LRV 78) reflects noticeably more light than Rhythmic Blue (LRV 69), 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 7.6 gap is real but not dramatic — close enough to use together, distinct enough to matter as a choice. Below you'll find 1 real-room photo comparison where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Rarified Air vs Rhythmic Blue in Real Spaces
1 real room side by side. Rarified Air and Rhythmic Blue 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 are one of the few spaces where you're genuinely enclosed by the paint color, which makes the choice between these two more consequential. Rarified Air reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Rhythmic Blue.
Color Details
Rarified Air vs Rhythmic Blue Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Rarified Air on one side and Rhythmic 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.