What 28 tells you about Felted Wool
The published LRV of Sherwin-Williams Felted Wool SW-9171 is 28. It describes light reflectance; it does not specify an undertone or predict the brightness of your room. Felted Wool adds green to a warm gray with more depth than Acier, making a darker colored-neutral comparison worthwhile.
The choice beside oatmeal fabric and walnut
Oatmeal fabric can soften the scheme while walnut adds weight; the wall should preserve a distinction between those large material areas.
Draw the proposed dark area on a room photograph and compare it with a broad physical Felted Wool sample in shadow. The LRV describes the starting depth, while the size and location of that area determine its role. Check whether adjacent dark furniture remains legible.
What the comparison can—and cannot—settle
Felted Wool has an LRV of 28; Sherwin-Williams Acier SW-9170 is 32. The difference is 4 points, with Acier returning more light under the reference measurement. Felted Wool is a warm gray with a green undertone. The value measures reflectance, so it cannot by itself identify an undertone, a coating finish or the amount of illumination needed in the room. The daylight and evening-light checks covers that related choice.
Set a less green gray beside it, then choose the sample that joins the fabric and wood most convincingly. Do not read LRV 28 as a percentage improvement in perceived room brightness. Make the decision with the board upright at the actual wall or cabinet position, including the least illuminated portion. The north-facing room assessment covers that related choice. Before ordering samples, compare room-planning features in the paint color visualizer roundup.
Sources & notes
Color specifications: Sherwin-Williams Felted Wool SW-9171. The recorded LRV is 28. 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.