Dried Thyme and Retreat: the documented difference
Dried Thyme and Retreat both have a published LRV of 21. That equality describes reflectance, not matching colorants or identical undertones. Choose by the material relationship as well as the number. Dried Thyme's green with a blue note supports a muted cabinet direction, backed by the manufacturer's own cabinetry suggestion. Retreat is a green with blue-gray undertones and substantial depth.
| Color | Brand / code | LRV |
|---|---|---|
| Dried Thyme | Sherwin-Williams SW-6186 | 21 |
| Retreat | Sherwin-Williams SW-6207 | 21 |
The choice beside butcher block and aged brass
Butcher block is both a broad warm surface and a horizontal light reflector, making the board below its edge especially informative.
Set up both candidates with butcher block and aged brass. 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 Evergreen Fog has an LRV of 30.
Compare a vertical cabinet board under the counter overhang before extending the color to every cabinet. Assess Dried Thyme and Retreat 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 Dried Thyme SW-6186. The recorded LRV is 21. 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.