Storm Cloud → Farrow & Ball
The closest Farrow & Ball matches for Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud (SW 6249), ranked by perceptual color distance.
Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Storm Cloud
If you love Sherwin Williams Storm Cloud 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.
Storm Cloud (SW 6249) is a dark blue with moody blue-gray undertones. A medium-dark blue-gray. Moody and atmospheric. To find a good Farrow & Ball 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 Storm Cloud 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 Storm Cloud. De Nimes (No.299) comes in with a Delta E of 2, which puts it in the "excellent match" range. De Nimes is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 16. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
Farrow & Ball Matches for Storm Cloud
De Nimes is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 16. Very close match with F&B's signature chalky depth.
| Storm Cloud | De Nimes | |
|---|---|---|
| LRV | 16 | 16 |
| Hex | #7A868E | #73878E |
| Undertone | Moody Blue-Gray | Denim Blue |
| Family | Blue | Blue |
Undertone Comparison
Storm Cloud has moody blue-gray undertones. A medium-dark blue-gray. Moody and atmospheric.
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.
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
Storm Cloud in Your Room
In bright light, distinctly blue. In dim rooms, a sophisticated dark gray-blue.
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.
LRV and Brightness
Storm Cloud has an LRV of 16, while De Nimes has an LRV of 16. 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 Storm Cloud
Sherwin Williams recommends Storm Cloud for: accent wall, bedroom, office, powder room, exterior. 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.
De Nimes is recommended for: bedroom, living room, accent wall, office, kitchen. 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.
Storm Cloud in Other Brands
Looking for Storm Cloud equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
The closest Farrow & Ball match for Storm Cloud (SW 6249) is De Nimes (No.299) with a Delta E of 2, which rates as a "excellent match" match. De Nimes is the closest Farrow & Ball option at LRV 16. 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. Storm Cloud is a Sherwin Williams color with moody blue-gray undertones and an LRV of 16. De Nimes is a Farrow & Ball color with denim blue undertones and an LRV of 16. With a Delta E of 2, these are extremely close and most people will not spot the difference on a wall. 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, 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.