Nebula → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Sherwin Williams Nebula (SW 7652-2), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Nebula
If you love Sherwin Williams Nebula but need a Farrow & Ball 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 Farrow & Ball, your local store does not carry Sherwin Williams, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.
Nebula (SW 7652-2) is a light gray with cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. More depth than Big Chill, less color than Silverpointe. Named for the cosmic cloud. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 61) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.
We calculated the perceptual color distance between Nebula and every Farrow & Ball 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 good news: there is a strong Farrow & Ball match for Nebula. Dimpse (No.277) comes in with a Delta E of 2.2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Nebula
Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
| Nebula | Dimpse | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 61 | 60 |
| Hex | #D1CFCA | #D1D0CC |
| Undertone | Cool Light Gray | Cool Neutral Gray |
| Family | Gray | Gray |
Undertone Comparison
Nebula has cool light gray undertones. A cool, clean light gray. More depth than Big Chill, less color than Silverpointe. Named for the cosmic cloud.
Dimpse has cool neutral gray undertones. A light, cool neutral gray. Named for twilight. Clean and atmospheric.
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
Nebula in Your Room
Clean and neutral. A reliable light gray that stays gray in all conditions.
Dimpse in Your Room
Cool and balanced. Reads as a clean, modern light gray.
LRV and Brightness
Nebula has an LRV of 61, while Dimpse has an LRV of 60. 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 Nebula
Sherwin Williams recommends Nebula for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, whole house, office. With an LRV of 61, this is a light color that is in the medium-light range, reflecting enough light to keep rooms feeling open while adding more color and depth than a white or off-white. It works well in living rooms, bedrooms, and hallways where you want warmth and character without darkness.
Dimpse is recommended for: bathroom, bedroom, hallway, living room, office. Both colors are recommended for similar applications, which confirms that this is a practical cross-brand match. You can use Dimpse in the same rooms you planned for Nebula.
Nebula in Other Brands
Looking for Nebula equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Nebula (SW 7652-2) is Dimpse (No.277) with a Delta E of 2.2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. Dimpse is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 60. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth. 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. Nebula is a Sherwin Williams color with cool light gray undertones and an LRV of 61. Dimpse is a Farrow & Ball color with cool neutral gray undertones and an LRV of 60. With a Delta E of 2.2, 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 2.2, these colors are close enough to use in separate rooms of the same house without a jarring difference. However, avoid painting them on adjacent walls in the same room, as even subtle differences become apparent at a hard edge where two paints meet. For the smoothest result, use one brand consistently within each connected space and reserve the other brand for rooms that are visually separated.
There are several practical reasons to look for a Farrow & Ball equivalent. Price differences between brands can be significant on large projects. Availability matters if your nearest paint store or home center specializes in Farrow & Ball. Some painters have strong preferences for one brand's formula based on coverage, dry time, or workability. And if you are touching up existing Farrow & Ball 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.