Porpoise and Black Fox: the documented difference
Porpoise has an LRV of 13; Sherwin-Williams Black Fox SW-7020 is 7. The difference is 6 points, with Porpoise returning more light under the reference measurement. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Porpoise is lighter than Urbane Bronze while remaining a deep gray-bronze option. Black Fox is a very dark color with warm greige undertones.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Porpoise | Sherwin-Williams SW-7047 | 13 |
| Black Fox | Sherwin-Williams SW-7020 | 7 |
The choice beside cream limestone and walnut shelving
Cream limestone can define the built-in as a whole, whereas walnut shelves need a closer check against the painted interior surfaces.
Set up both candidates with cream limestone and walnut shelving. Use equal-sized boards with the intended finishes and place them in the same orientation. Do not put one directly beside a window and leave the other in shadow. A difference that follows the position rather than the board is a lighting observation, not evidence that the formula changed.
What the comparison can—and cannot—settle
The alternative Urbane Bronze has an LRV of 8.
Check the outline of the shelving against the dark paint; keep depth where it clarifies the architecture. Assess Porpoise and Black Fox alone as well as side by side. The unchosen board will not remain in the finished room, and a preference created only by that neighbor may not survive its removal. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Sherwin-Williams Porpoise SW-7047. The recorded LRV is 13. Named comparison values come from the respective manufacturers; material schemes are editorial suggestions.
This guide reviews published color information and proposes practical sample checks. It does not claim first-hand paint testing or customer-review scores. Sherwin-Williams does not sponsor or endorse this site. Product names and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Confirm the color in a physical sample and select the coating for the actual surface and finish.