Unusual Gray vs Thames Fog
Unusual Gray is a Sherwin-Williams color while Thames Fog comes from Valspar. Both sit in the grey family, which is useful context if you're narrowing within a single hue direction. At LRV 38 vs 27, Unusual Gray will read as the brighter of the two — a 11-point gap that matters most in north-facing or low-light rooms. At ΔE 9.6, the difference is perceptible but not dramatic — the two can work harmoniously in the same space. Below you'll find 5 real-room photo comparisons where both colors appear side by side, plus 5 simulated room previews.
Unusual Gray vs Thames Fog in Real Spaces
5 real rooms side by side. Unusual Gray and Thames Fog 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.
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. Unusual Gray returns significantly more light to the room — in a smaller or darker space, that difference in perceived brightness is hard to miss.
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 Unusual Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.
Dining Room
Dining room light is typically the warmest in the house, which shifts both colors toward the red end of the spectrum compared to daylight. Unusual Gray reflects noticeably more light off the walls, making the space read more open than Thames Fog.
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 Unusual Gray 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 Unusual Gray will make the room feel meaningfully brighter than Thames Fog would.
Color Details
Unusual Gray vs Thames Fog Simulated Comparison
5 simulated room previews — drag the slider on each to see Unusual Gray 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 Unusual Gray comparisons
See how Unusual Gray stacks up against other well-photographed colors across different brands and tones.
