Finding a Farrow & Ball Equivalent for Filtered Shade

If you love Valspar Filtered Shade 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 Valspar, or you simply want to compare prices across brands before committing.

Filtered Shade (VR083E) is a medium gray with warm light greige undertones. A light, warm gray with subtle greige undertones. Lighter and airier than Gravity, with just enough warmth to avoid feeling cold. A versatile neutral that works as either a warm gray or a light greige. To find a good Farrow & Ball match, we need a color that captures not just the right depth (LRV 57) but also that specific undertone character. That is where Delta E color science comes in.

We calculated the perceptual color distance between Filtered Shade 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 results are decent but not perfect. The closest Farrow & Ball option is Skimming Stone (No.241) with a Delta E of 3.5, which is a "good match" level match. Skimming Stone is the closest F&B option. Similar character. You will want to test a sample before committing, as the difference may be noticeable in certain lighting.

Farrow & Ball Matches for Filtered Shade

Good match · ΔE 3.5

Skimming Stone is the closest F&B option. Similar character.

Filtered ShadeSkimming Stone
LRV5757
Hex#CCC8C1#CBC4B9
UndertoneWarm Light GreigeWarm Stone
FamilyGrayGreige

Undertone Comparison

Filtered Shade has warm light greige undertones. A light, warm gray with subtle greige undertones. Lighter and airier than Gravity, with just enough warmth to avoid feeling cold. A versatile neutral that works as either a warm gray or a light greige.

Skimming Stone has warm stone undertones. A warm, natural stone color with earthy beige-gray undertones. One of F&B's most versatile neutrals. Organic and sophisticated.

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

Filtered Shade in Your Room

Reads as a light, warm gray in most conditions. The greige undertone is gentle and never heavy. In bright rooms, it looks open and fresh. Under warm light, the beige comes forward slightly.

Skimming Stone in Your Room

Reads as a warm, natural gray-beige in most rooms. The stone quality gives it an organic feel. Beautiful with natural wood and linen textures.

LRV and Brightness

Filtered Shade has an LRV of 57, while Skimming Stone has an LRV of 57. 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 Filtered Shade

Valspar recommends Filtered Shade for: whole house, hallway, bedroom, living room, bathroom. With an LRV of 57, this is a medium 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.

Skimming Stone is recommended for: living room, bedroom, hallway, kitchen, whole house. 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.

Filtered Shade in Other Brands

Looking for Filtered Shade equivalents in other brands besides Farrow & Ball? We have matches across all major paint brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

The closest Farrow & Ball match for Filtered Shade (VR083E) is Skimming Stone (No.241) with a Delta E of 3.5, which rates as a "good match" match. Skimming Stone is the closest F&B 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. Filtered Shade is a Valspar color with warm light greige undertones and an LRV of 57. Skimming Stone is a Farrow & Ball color with warm stone undertones and an LRV of 57. 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 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.

Colors on screen are approximations. Your monitor, lighting, and paint finish will affect how colors appear in your space. Always test with a physical paint sample before purchasing.

Match calculations use Delta E (CIE2000) computed from Lab color space conversion. Color data sourced from manufacturer specifications. Last reviewed: March 22, 2026.