De Nimes → Sherwin Williams
The closest Sherwin Williams matches for Farrow & Ball De Nimes (No.299), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Sherwin Williams Equivalent for De Nimes
If you love Farrow & Ball De Nimes but need a Sherwin Williams alternative, you are not alone. This is one of the most common cross-brand paint matching searches, whether you are working with a painter who prefers Sherwin Williams, your local store does not carry Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
De Nimes (No.299) is a dark blue with denim blue undertones. A sophisticated denim blue named for the French city of Nimes where denim originated. Muted and masculine, like well-worn jeans. More restrained than a bright blue. To find a good Sherwin Williams match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 16) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between De Nimes and every Sherwin Williams color using the CIE2000 Delta E formula, which measures how different two colors look to the human eye. A Delta E under 2 means most people cannot tell the colors apart. Between 2 and 4, you might notice a difference in certain lighting. Above 5, the difference is clearly visible side by side.
The results are decent but not perfect. The closest Sherwin Williams option is Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4.4, which is a "good match" level match. Smoky Blue is lighter. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Sherwin Williams Matches for De Nimes
Smoky Blue is lighter.
| De Nimes | Smoky Blue | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 16 | 25 |
| Hex | #73878E | #99A8AB |
| Undertone | Denim Blue | Muted Smoky Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
De Nimes has denim blue undertones. A sophisticated denim blue named for the French city of Nimes where denim originated. Muted and masculine, like well-worn jeans. More restrained than a bright blue.
Smoky Blue has muted smoky blue undertones. A muted, sophisticated blue-gray at medium depth. More saturated than Silverpointe, less dark than Storm Cloud. Named for what it is: smoke with blue light filtering through.
These two colors share the same undertone family, which is a good sign for a cross-brand swap. The undertone similarity means they will behave similarly as lighting changes throughout the day, and they should coordinate well with the same accent colors, trim, and furnishings.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
De Nimes in Your Room
In bright light, the denim blue is visible and appealing. In dim rooms, the gray calms it into a sophisticated neutral. A distinctive, characterful blue.
Smoky Blue in Your Room
The smoky quality is consistent. In bright rooms, the blue is visible and attractive. In dim rooms, the smoke takes over. A sophisticated, restful color.
LRV and Brightness
De Nimes has an LRV of 16, while Smoky Blue has an LRV of 25. That means Smoky Blue reflects more light. If you switch from De Nimes to Smoky Blue, the room should feel slightly brighter and more open.
Best Rooms for De Nimes
Farrow & Ball recommends De Nimes for: bedroom, living room, accent wall, office, kitchen. With an LRV of 16, this is a dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects. It makes a bold statement and works beautifully on accent walls, front doors, exterior trim, and features where drama is the goal. In a full room, make sure you have good lighting and bright white trim for contrast.
Smoky Blue is recommended for: bedroom, bathroom, office, living room, hallway. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Smoky Blue in the same rooms you planned for De Nimes.
De Nimes in Other Brands
Looking for De Nimes equivalents in other brands besides Sherwin Williams? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Sherwin Williams match for De Nimes (No.299) is Smoky Blue (SW 7604) with a Delta E of 4.4, which rates as a "good match" match. Smoky Blue is lighter. Delta E measures perceptual color distance on a scale where under 2 means nearly identical, 2 to 4 means close with subtle differences, and over 5 means clearly noticeable.
No, they are not identical. De Nimes is a Farrow & Ball color with denim blue undertones and an LRV of 16. Smoky Blue is a Sherwin Williams color with muted smoky blue undertones and an LRV of 25. With a Delta E of 4.4, you will likely notice a difference, especially in bright or direct lighting. Paint formulations differ between brands, so even colors with similar values can look slightly different due to pigment concentration, binders, and finish.
With a Delta E of 4.4, the difference is enough that they should not be used on adjacent walls in the same room. You can use them in separate rooms of the same house, but be aware that walking from one room to the other may reveal the difference, especially if the rooms have similar lighting. For the most consistent look, pick one brand for all connected living spaces and reserve the other brand for visually separate rooms like bathrooms or bedrooms behind closed doors.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Sherwin Williams equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Sherwin Williams. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Sherwin Williams work, matching within the same brand gives you the best consistency for seamless results.
Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.