Thistle vs Waterfall
Both from Sherwin-Williams's palette. Thistle reads as grey, while Waterfall reads as blue-green — two distinct hue families, not close cousins. Waterfall (LRV 71) reflects noticeably more light than Thistle (LRV 30), a difference of 41 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. With a ΔE of 36.5, the contrast is hard to miss. These aren't variations on a theme — they're two different answers to the same question. Below, 5 simulated room previews show how each color reads at scale — real-room photos will be added as they become available.
Color Details
Thistle vs Waterfall Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Thistle on one side and Waterfall 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 Thistle comparisons
See how Thistle stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
White Dove reflects far more light (LRV 83 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
At LRV 52 vs 30, Purbeck Stone is decisively the brighter choice.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 30 vs 30), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 60 vs 30, Agreeable Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Accessible Beige reflects far more light (LRV 58 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Thistle reads slightly lighter (LRV 30 vs 27), a gap that shows most in low-lit rooms.
At LRV 43 vs 30, French Gray is decisively the brighter choice.
Tranquil Dawn reflects far more light (LRV 55 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Hardwick White reflects far more light (LRV 44 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
At LRV 84 vs 30, Pure White is decisively the brighter choice.
Balboa Mist reflects far more light (LRV 66 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Shoji White reflects far more light (LRV 74 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Thistle reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 12), opening up a space where Pewter Green encloses it.
Skimming Stone reflects far more light (LRV 68 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Thistle reflects far more light (LRV 30 vs 12), opening up a space where Vintage Vogue encloses it.
Saybrook Sage reflects far more light (LRV 45 vs 30), opening up a space where Thistle encloses it.
Their light reflectance is nearly identical (LRV 31 vs 30), so neither reads brighter in a room.
At LRV 30 vs 7, Thistle is decisively the brighter choice.
A 6-point LRV gap (30 vs 24) makes Thistle the marginally brighter of the two.
At LRV 57 vs 30, Guilford Green is decisively the brighter choice.