Rarified Air vs Thames Fog
Rarified Air is a Sherwin-Williams color while Thames Fog comes from Valspar. Hue-wise, Rarified Air belongs to the blue-white family and Thames Fog to the grey family. At LRV 78 vs 27, Rarified Air will read as the brighter of the two — a 51-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 32.6, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 2 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Rarified Air vs Thames Fog in Real Spaces
2 real rooms side by side. Seeing Rarified Air and Thames Fog in actual rooms makes the difference concrete; browse the spaces below to get a feel for how each color lives on a wall.
Bathroom
Bathrooms amplify color — the enclosed space and reflective surfaces make what reads subtle elsewhere feel more present here. The LRV gap is large enough that Rarified Air will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.
Kitchen Cabinets
On cabinetry, undertone and temperature become more pronounced against countertops and hardware. The LRV gap is large enough that Rarified Air will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.
Color Details
Rarified Air vs Thames Fog Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Rarified Air on one side and Thames Fog 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 Rarified Air comparisons
See how Rarified Air stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
