Sherwin Williams Mercurial: Undertones, LRV, & Info
By Kylie
February 2, 2021
Sherwin Williams Mercurial SW 9550: LRV, Undertones and a Little More
When it comes to finding the BEST paint color it’s ALLLLL in the undertones. Okay, so maybe it’s a bit more complicated than that, but that’s why you’re here, learning all about paint colors so you can choose the best one for you and your home!
And today we’re learning about…
In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need, but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!
What type of paint color is Mercurial? Is it warm or cool?
Mercurial is a gray paint color with a soft subtle warmth to it. And when I say subtle, I ain’t kiddin‘. If you have north-facing light, expect to see Mercurial lean EASILY back into its gray, looking slightly cool. However, if you have south-facing or afternoon western sunshine, it will lean that bit warmer, without going full taupe.
PLEASE NOTE: Sherwin William Mercurial is in the DESIGNER EDITION and can only be made in Sherwin Williams Emerald paint, no other lines.
Read more: North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
What is its LRV?
Mercurial has an LRV of 61 which is a fantastic depth for the average room. This LRV puts Mercurial in the ‘light’ range (learn more HERE).
Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.
What are the undertones of Mercurial? Is it a TRUE gray?
While Mercurial doesn’t have overwhelming undertones, it’s FAR from being a true gray. Like every gray paint color, Mercurial has an undertone – a VERY subtle, warm violet one.
What’s the best way to sample a paint color, should I just slap it on the walls?
Like with every paint color, I highly recommend using SAMPLIZE. Samplize is a peel & stick paint sample that you can easily move around your room for over HALF THE COST of traditional sample pots – and they deliver right to your front door!
Here’s a link to the SAMPLIZE site if you’re curious!
What’s the best white paint color for my trim?
If you’re painting your walls Mercurial, look for a white paint color that’s soft and slightly warmer OR clean and true. I wouldn’t look at cool, icy whites or overly warm ones.
- Sherwin Williams Pure White
- Sherwin Williams High Reflective White
Read more…
The 4 Best White Paint Colors from Sherwin Williams
The FIVE Types of White Paint Colors
Is this a good color for the exterior of my home?
Mercurial has the potential to be a good exterior color as its undertones should humour many of the popular stone and brick coverings. Expect it to look that bit warmer in southern sunshine and to wash-out considerably if it gets a good hit of natural light.
Read more: 5 Tips to Choosing an Exterior Paint Color
What Sherwin Williams paint colors are similar to Mercurial?
Sherwin Williams has a few colors with similar intentions…
- Sherwin Williams Touch of Grey – slightly cooler
- Sherwin Williams On the Rocks – slightly cooler
- Sherwin Williams Alpaca – a bit darker and warmer
This photo shows the slightly darker and warmer Alpaca…
Does Benjamin Moore have a color that’s the same as this or similar to it?
GOOD QUESTION! Every color has its own particular nuances and there will be NO perfect match – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths, but you could check out…
- Benjamin Moore Nimbus – a bit darker, but with similar intentions
- Benjamin Moore Collingwood – a bit warmer
Check out Benjamin Moore Collingwood in the next photo, which will give you a good ‘general idea’ of what to expect with Mercurial…
BTW, if you’re thinking of color matching between brands, I suggest you read THIS first.
What type of paint colors will look good with Mercurial?
While Mercurial will be VERY FUSSY about being partnered with warm colors like beige, tan and cream, it likes a whole RANGE of cool colors. Here are a few to get you started…
- Gray-blues could be a stunning complement, ie: Sherwin Williams Network Gray
- Gray-greens could also work well, ie: Sherwin Williams Cityscape
- Slightly darker grays with similar OR different undertones, ie: Sherwin Williams Tinsmith
Not sure if Mercurial is right for you? Want a color that’s a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!
SHERWIN WILLIAMS 10 BEST GRAY AND GREIGE PAINT COLORS
Read more: Sherwin Williams 10 Best Gray and Greige Paint Colors
SHERWIN WILLIAMS GOSSAMER VEIL
Read more: Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Gossamer Veil
BENJAMIN MOORE BALBOA MIST
Read more: Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?
Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting – I’d love to help!
Chat soon,
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Meet Kylie
Do you need help, but aren’t quite sure what ‘help’ looks like? Are you drowning in paint samples and decision fatigue?
Does every colour you like at the paint store look terrible in your lighting or pick up a funky undertone? I’d love to help.
Hi, I’m Kylie
For over 24 years I’ve helped 12,000+ homeowners and renters make more confident decisions on paint colours and affordable home updates using real home examples and practical, experience-based advice. My goal is simple: help you love the home you have.
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Homeowner’s Guide: White Kitchen Cabinets
This isn’t another ’10 Best Cabinet Colors’ list, because there is no SINGLE best white for every home and every kitchen.
The best white cabinet color is the one that goes with your home, your finishes, your lighting, and your style.
Stop second-guessing every paint chip and choose your cabinet color with less guessing, fewer samples, and a whole lot more color confidence.
$34.95Accent Colors
This isn’t about plastering your home in the ‘Color of the Year’ or following the latest trends (unless you really want to).
It’s about finding accent colors that work with YOUR home, YOUR style, and YOUR comfort level.
Because the best accent color isn’t one you love on a paint chip, it’s one that makes everything around it look better.
$34.95
Homeowner’s Guide: Exterior Paint Colors
This isn’t a list of the ‘best exterior paint colors’, as the best color is the one that suits your home. Instead, you’ll learn how to look at YOUR roof, YOUR windows, YOUR brick (or stone) and YOUR home as a whole so you can understand what colors make sense, and confidently throw the others in the burn pile.
Whether you’re repainting an outdated exterior, working around finishes you can’t change, or creating a color palette from scratch, the goal is the same: less guessing, fewer samples, and a lot more confidence before gallons of paint go on your home.
$44.95Exterior Trim Paint Colors
This isn’t a list of ‘the best trim colors’, although you’ll get a ton of links to great shades, you’ll learn how to look at your home and understand whether it needs contrast, repetition, connection, or a little visual peacekeeping to pull it all together.
Because trim might seem like a small detail…
…but spread it around all four sides of your home on multiple surfaces and it suddenly has a pretty big job.
$24.95
Comments
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I’m thinking about painting my kitchen cabinets in Mercurial and my walls with SW White Snow. Would these colors work well together? My kitchen faces east with loads of windows and I have a dark wood floor. My countertops are white with very light gray flecks in them. Love the information on your website!
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