Plummett → Valspar
The closest Valspar matches for Farrow & Ball Plummett (No.272), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Valspar Equivalent for Plummett
If you love Farrow & Ball Plummett but need a Valspar 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 Valspar, your local store does not carry Farrow & Ball, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Plummett (No.272) is a medium-dark gray with cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, balanced mid-dark gray. One of the most truly neutral grays in the F&B range. Named for the plumb line used in construction. Straight, true, and honest, just like the color. To find a good Valspar match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 24) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Plummett and every Valspar 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 Valspar option is Blanket (VR085A) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Blanket is the closest Valspar option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.
Valspar Matches for Plummett
Blanket is the closest Valspar option. Similar character.
| Plummett | Blanket | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 24 | 24 |
| Hex | #999996 | #9B948B |
| Undertone | Cool Neutral Gray | Warm Brown-Taupe |
| Family | Gray | Taupe |
Undertone Comparison
Plummett has cool neutral gray undertones. A cool, balanced mid-dark gray. One of the most truly neutral grays in the F&B range. Named for the plumb line used in construction. Straight, true, and honest, just like the color.
Blanket has warm brown-taupe undertones. A warm, cozy taupe at medium-dark depth. Named for the comfort it provides: wrapping rooms in warm, earthy color. Deeper than Frappe, with more brown warmth.
The undertone difference is worth paying attention to. While they are close in overall appearance, the different undertones mean they may diverge in certain lighting. Plummett's cool neutral gray quality may read differently than Blanket's warm brown-taupe character, especially in rooms with strong directional light or colored accents that could pull out one undertone more than the other. Test a sample in your specific room before committing.
How These Colors Behave in Different Lighting
Plummett in Your Room
Stays remarkably neutral in all conditions. The most predictable gray in the F&B range. Does not pull warm, cool, blue, green, or purple. Under all light sources, it simply reads as gray.
Blanket in Your Room
The warm brown-taupe is consistent and enveloping. In bright rooms, it reads as a warm, rich neutral. In dim rooms, it creates a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
LRV and Brightness
Plummett has an LRV of 24, while Blanket has an LRV of 24. These two colors reflect a very similar amount of light, so you should not notice a significant difference in room brightness when switching between them. The room will feel approximately the same in terms of light and space, which makes this a smoother transition.
Best Rooms for Plummett
Farrow & Ball recommends Plummett for: bathroom, bedroom, office, hallway, accent wall. With an LRV of 24, this is a medium-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.
Blanket is recommended for: bedroom, living room, dining room, accent wall, office. The recommended applications differ slightly between brands, but the color's properties should work in the same rooms regardless of which brand you choose. Trust the LRV and undertone data more than the specific room suggestions, and always test in your actual space.
Plummett in Other Brands
Looking for Plummett equivalents in other brands besides Valspar? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Valspar match for Plummett (No.272) is Blanket (VR085A) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Blanket is the closest Valspar option. Similar character. 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. Plummett is a Farrow & Ball color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 24. Blanket is a Valspar color with warm brown-taupe undertones and an LRV of 24. With a Delta E of 3.5, the difference is subtle and mainly visible in direct side-by-side comparison. 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 3.5, 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 Valspar equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Valspar. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Valspar 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.