Topsail is a popular paint color from Sherwin-Williams that sits somewhere between blue and green on the color spectrum. With undertones of both colors, it has prompted much debate among decorators over whether to classify it as a blue or green paint. In this article, we’ll examine the characteristics of Sherwin-Williams Topsail to help determine whether it fits better into the blue or green color family.
Background on Sherwin-Williams Topsail
Sherwin-Williams Topsail is part of their Color Preview palette, which contains new and trending paint colors released each year. Topsail made its debut in 2021 as part of the “Escape” theme meant to evoke feelings of relaxation through soothing, water-inspired shades.
Like many blue-green colors, Topsail is complex and difficult to categorize. Sherwin-Williams describes it as a “cool, soothing green with a hint of blue that brings spaces to life.” So at least according to the manufacturer, Topsail is primarily considered a green paint color. But with its blue undertones, Topsail seems to straddle the line between green and blue.
Comparing Topsail to Blue and Green Paint Colors
The best way to determine if Topsail is more blue or green is by comparing it side-by-side with other paint colors firmly in those categories. Here is how it stacks up against some popular Sherwin-Williams blues and greens:
| Blue Paint Colors | Topsail | Green Paint Colors |
|---|---|---|
| Navy | Topsail | Basil |
| Raindrop | Topsail | Sagebrush |
| Favorite Blue | Topsail | Guacamole |
When viewed next to deeper blues like Navy or bright greens like Basil, Topsail appears more green-tinged. However, when compared to soft, light greens like Sagebrush, its blue undertones become more noticeable. Against mid-tone blues like Raindrop or Favorite Blue, it could go either way.
This shows how heavily Topsail’s classification depends on what specific blue and green shades it’s being compared to in context.
Technical Color Analysis
Examining the technical details of Topsail’s coloring provides more objective insights into its blue vs green qualities:
Hex Code: #C9E0DA
– The hex code contains fairly balanced amounts of blue and green pigments.
RGB Values: R: 201, G: 224, B: 218
– The green value (224) is higher than blue (201) indicating it has more green than blue. However, the blue value is still significant.
Hue Family: Blue-green
– Blue-green is midway between blue and green on the color wheel. Topsail sits in the center of this hue family.
Light Reflectance Value (LRV): 66%
– The lightness level is moderately high. Both blue and green can have LRVs this light.
Overall, the technical analysis shows Topsail has properties of both a blue and green color. The green aspects appear slightly more dominant, but not overwhelmingly so.
How Lighting Affects Topsail
The way Topsail appears under different lighting conditions also influences whether it reads as more blue or green. Here’s how the color shifts in different lighting:
Natural Daylight: With a neutral daylight white balance, both the blue and green undertones are apparent in Topsail. It maintains its blue-green character.
Warm Incandescent Light: Incandescent light emphasizes warmer orange and yellow tones which downplay the blue in Topsail. This can make it look more solidly green.
Cool Fluorescent Light: Fluorescent light has higher blue/green wavelengths which boost Topsail’s blue tones. This can give it a more blue-dominant appearance.
LED Light: Like fluorescent light, LEDs also accentuate cooler tones like blue and green. Under LED bulbs, Topsail generally looks more blue-green.
So Topsail can take on a subtle green or blue cast depending on the lighting conditions where it’s used. This mutable nature makes definitive classification difficult.
Topsail in Home Decor
When used in home decor, Topsail’s chameleon-like ability to blend with different color schemes is an advantage. Here are some of the possibilities:
With Neutrals: Topsail is an easy neutral that provides subtle color without overpowering. It works in schemes anchored by creams, whites, grays, and browns.
With Blues: Topsail pairs nicely with most shades of blue from navy to sky blue. It creates a relaxed blue palette.
With Greens: From lime to sage green, Topsail complements light and mid-tone greens in tranquil, nature-inspired rooms.
With Blues & Greens: Topsail can bridge blue and green palettes that might otherwise clash. It blends the colors beautifully in coastal, tropical, or eclectic spaces.
So while it sits on the fence between blue and green, Topsail’s flexibility allows it to be used interchangeably with both colors.
Conclusion
When determining whether Sherwin-Williams Topsail is ultimately a blue or green paint color, there are arguments to be made in both directions:
– Its technical specifications show a pretty even mix of blue and green pigments.
– Compared to other colors, it appears more blue-green or green-blue depending on context.
– Different lighting conditions shift it slightly toward blue or green.
– It works well in color schemes anchored by either color family.
With evidence on both sides, classifying Topsail as strictly blue or green may be too reductive. Its magic lies in being a chameleon able to move seamlessly between both color worlds. Topsail is best described as a sophisticated blue-green that provides designers the flexibility to employ it however they wish.
So while the debate may rage on, at the end of the day “blue-green” may be the most accurate classification for the beautiful and elusive Sherwin-Williams Topsail. It reflects light across the blue-green spectrum, adapting to showcase either quality depending on its surroundings.
