Swanky Gray vs Thames Fog

Swanky GraySherwin-WilliamsvsThames FogValsparΔE 16.8Distinct difference

Swanky Gray is a Sherwin-Williams color while Thames Fog comes from Valspar. These are both greys, so the question isn't which hue to choose — it's where within grey to land. At LRV 45 vs 27, Swanky Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 17-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 16.8, these are genuinely distinct colors — a strong contrast if used together, or a meaningful choice between two different directions. Below you'll find 3 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.

Swanky Gray vs Thames Fog in Real Spaces

3 real rooms side by side. Seeing Swanky Gray 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.

Living Room

Living rooms test a color across a full range of conditions — morning sun, afternoon shade, and evening lamp light all shift how both of these read. Swanky Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.

Swanky GraySherwin Williams Swanky Gray Living Room

@mbpainting716

Thames FogValspar Thames Fog living room inspiration

@melaniejadedesign

Bedroom

Bedroom walls are often seen under warm artificial light, a context that shifts both colors from how they look on a chip. The LRV gap is large enough that Swanky Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.

Swanky GraySwanky Gray Bedroom

@becky_renninger

Thames FogValspar Thames Fog bedroom review

@thelancashireterrace

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 Swanky Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.

Swanky GraySw Swanky Gray Bathroom

@hickoryridgefarmhouse

Thames FogValspar Thames Fog bathroom review

@bellwaycherry17

Color Details

Swanky Gray
Sherwin-Williams · 6261
Hex#B5B1B5
LRV44.6
BrandSherwin-Williams
Number6261
Undertone
TemperatureNeutral
BrightnessMedium
Thames Fog
Valspar · V144-5
Hex#8f9082
LRV27.4
BrandValspar
NumberV144-5
Undertone
Temperature
BrightnessMedium

Swanky Gray vs Thames Fog Simulated Comparison

5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Swanky Gray on one side and Thames Fog on the other.

Bathroom
Bedroom
House
Kitchen Cabinets
Living Room

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 Swanky Gray comparisons

See how Swanky Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.

White Dove
Swanky Gray
White Dove
Benjamin Moore
White Dove
LRV 83

White Dove is the lighter choice

Ammonite
Swanky Gray
Ammonite
Farrow & Ball
Ammonite
LRV 69

Ammonite reads noticeably lighter

Iron Ore
Swanky Gray
Iron Ore
Sherwin-Williams
Iron Ore
LRV 6

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Purbeck Stone
Swanky Gray
Purbeck Stone
Farrow & Ball
Purbeck Stone
LRV 52

Purbeck Stone reads slightly lighter

Evergreen Fog
Swanky Gray
Evergreen Fog
Sherwin-Williams
Evergreen Fog
LRV 30

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

Mizzle
Swanky Gray
Mizzle
Farrow & Ball
Mizzle
LRV 52

Mizzle reads slightly lighter

Agreeable Gray
Swanky Gray
Agreeable Gray
Sherwin-Williams
Agreeable Gray
LRV 60

Agreeable Gray reads noticeably lighter

Denim Drift
Swanky Gray
Denim Drift
Dulux
Denim Drift
LRV 27

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

Tranquil Dawn
Swanky Gray
Tranquil Dawn
Dulux
Tranquil Dawn
LRV 55

Tranquil Dawn reads slightly lighter

Balboa Mist
Swanky Gray
Balboa Mist
Benjamin Moore
Balboa Mist
LRV 66

Balboa Mist reads noticeably lighter

Vintage Vogue
Swanky Gray
Vintage Vogue
Benjamin Moore
Vintage Vogue
LRV 12

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Pale Green
Swanky Gray
Pale Green
RAL ClassicClassic
Pale Green
LRV 31

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

Pine Needle
Swanky Gray
Pine Needle
Dulux
Pine Needle
LRV 7

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Cement grey
Swanky Gray
Cement grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Cement grey
LRV 24

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

Black grey
Swanky Gray
Black grey
RAL ClassicClassic
Black grey
LRV 6

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Piazza
Swanky Gray
Piazza
Tikkurila
Piazza
LRV 65

Piazza reads noticeably lighter

Humble Yellow
Swanky Gray
Humble Yellow
Jotun
Humble Yellow
LRV 57

Humble Yellow reads slightly lighter

Windmill Lane
Swanky Gray
Windmill Lane
Little Greene
Windmill Lane
LRV 31

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

Senses
Swanky Gray
Senses
Jotun
Senses
LRV 41

Swanky Gray reads slightly lighter

Lamp Black
Swanky Gray
Lamp Black
Little Greene
Lamp Black
LRV 3

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Washed Linen
Swanky Gray
Washed Linen
Jotun
Washed Linen
LRV 55

Washed Linen reads slightly lighter

Tea with Florence
Swanky Gray
Tea with Florence
Little Greene
Tea with Florence
LRV 18

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Ocean Abyss
Swanky Gray
Ocean Abyss
Behr
Ocean Abyss
LRV 7

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

Classic Silver
Swanky Gray
Classic Silver
Behr
Classic Silver
LRV 48

Classic Silver reads slightly lighter

Teton Blue
Swanky Gray
Teton Blue
Behr
Teton Blue
LRV 31

Swanky Gray reads noticeably lighter

RAL 110-2
Swanky Gray
RAL 110-2
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-2
LRV 72

RAL 110-2 is the lighter choice

Passageway
Swanky Gray
Passageway
Valspar
Passageway
LRV 14

Swanky Gray is the lighter choice

RAL 110-1
Swanky Gray
RAL 110-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 110-1
LRV 80

RAL 110-1 is the lighter choice

Paper
Swanky Gray
Paper
Tikkurila
Paper
LRV 88

Paper is the lighter choice

RAL 180-1
Swanky Gray
RAL 180-1
RAL EffectEffect
RAL 180-1
LRV 49

RAL 180-1 reads slightly lighter