How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color

My sister’s suburban Chicago home has crisp white interiors with plenty of transitional, unfussy, Scandinavian style. She has begun to move beyond her formerly minimalist ways, adding interest with help from the easiest, cost-effective, and tried and true trick in the book: PAINT. Since I am asked about paint colors every single day, today we’ll consider: a versatile medium grey paint color you might want to sample, as well as tips for How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color.

You’ll see the same grey paint used as a stripe accent, for stencil drama, and to highlight a niche.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (60% strength). Painting above console: Michele of Hello Lovely.

My sister is the hugest supporter of this blog and always willing to take photos and help. She collects my paintings, and most of the artwork pieces in her home were created by me.

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Selfie of Jo and me…she’s my partner in crime and makes me laugh harder than anyone else.

An important note about how one grey paint color was used as an accent in three different ways...the color was adjusted based upon the room’s light conditions. In a bedroom which receives plenty of daylight, the color was used at full strength. In the more dim living room, it was cut with white to 60%. And in a hall with no windows, the color is at 40% strength.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent on a dramatic stenciled bedroom wall. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio.

For more designer advice about choosing the perfect paint color for your projects, see THIS and THIS.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (40% strength).

This post contains affiliate links which I hope you will use since they won’t cost you a penny extra yet may earn this blog a small commission.

How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color

Grey Paint Color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray

If you’re dreaming of a serene, timeless, and tranquil bedroom retreat for yourself…make sure you SEE THIS with its mood board and sources created especially for you!

Easiest way to see if a color is right? Order samples to be delivered to your door with Samplize (a peel and stick sheet of “paint” to stick on your wall and easily move around to other walls!).

Paint Color Accent Idea No. 1: Wide Stripe

To break up an expanse of white on a living room wall, a wide stripe of Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray (at 60% strength) adds contrast and architectural interest.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio
BEFORE
Canvas Cushion Cover - Natural white/birds - Home All | H&M US 1
Natural White Birds Pillow Cover
Ultimate Guide to the Best White Paint Colors.
My Favorite Whites.
PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa
PB Comfort Roll Arm Slipcovered Sofa, Pottery Barn
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (60% strength).
BEFORE
Sheepskin Rug, 2x3', Ivory
Sheepskin Rug, Pottery Barn
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (60% strength).

Here’s a peek at the living space before anything was moved into it.

BEFORE

A laser level can make taping off the area to be painted easy peasy.

Laser Level, Meterk Cross Line Laser with Measuring Range 50ft, Switchable Self-Leveling Vertical and Horizontal Line, Rotatable 360 Degree with Flexible Magnetic Base, Battery Included
Laser Level
DURING

Rolling on the paint is also a walk in the park…no cutting in at the ceiling!

DURING

Paint Color Accent Idea No. 2: Stenciled Statement Wall

A stenciled statement wall is one of the most cost effective ways to add drama–in this case, bold drama–to a bedroom wall. Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray (at 100% strength) was rolled over the base color (Sherwin Williams Pure White).

BEFORE
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
DURING

Favorite Sources for Stencils I Have Used

Find them HERE and HERE.

Keep in mind that using a great big stencil = much less time! My favorite stencil of all time is called Fortuny: find it here.

Find the post where I used that stencil in a dressing room RIGHT HERE.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
DURING

I think it’s helpful to see the process of such an undertaking so you know what to expect should you choose to follow suit. At this point of the process (see above), you might think ‘what in the world have I done!?!’ But keep going! It’s only paint, and it only takes an afternoon of work.

BEFORE
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray.
BEFORE

What a transformation! My sister has added completely different accent colors and bedding since these photos were taken – proof positive that this grey and white stenciled wall is fairly neutral and easy to work with.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray.

More ideas about stenciling

Cement tiles vs. Stenciled Tiles

Faux Handpainted Tile Stencils

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A few years back in Chicago.

Paint Color Accent Idea No. 3: Solid Accent Niche

What a difference when you paint a wee niche a contrasting color. In this case, Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray (at 40% strength) adds importance and depth to this entry area which doubles as wine storage and a bar area when company comes.

Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (40% strength).
BEFORE
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio.
pPure White 7005p
SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Find more bestselling Sherwin Williams whites according to Architectural Digest HERE.
BEFORE
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (40% strength).
BEFORE
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.
Photo: Hello Lovely Studio. How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color…certainly lovely indeed. Interior Design Ideas for Best Paint Colors as well as Tips to Paint Accent Walls. White paint color: SHERWIN WILLIAMS Pure White. Grey paint color: BENJAMIN MOORE San Antonio Gray (40% strength).
Benjamin Moore San Antonio Gray used as a paint color accent. Come visit: How to Accent Walls 3 Ways With One Paint Color on Hello Lovely Studio.

My Sister Lived in New York for Years, and Here’s a NYC Townhouse My Sister Will Love to Tour…Maybe You Will Too…peek inside!

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

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9 Comments

  1. March 24, 2019 / 6:51 pm

    It os amazing to see the power of paint! Your sister has a lot more patience than I do to stencil that accent wall in the bedroom. So much inspiration. I love it all.

    • michele
      Author
      March 24, 2019 / 7:53 pm

      You could totally do it, Elizabeth! It’s super easy, and you may be surprised. 🙂

  2. Priya
    March 25, 2019 / 6:44 am

    so pretty, I love them all

  3. March 25, 2019 / 12:02 pm

    First I must say how lucky you are to have such a wonderful sister that you share such a special relationship with. What a gift that is! I’m a real fan of gray paint too and used it extensively in my most recent flip. It looks great all throughout your sister’s lovely home. I’ve never tried stenciling but I may just have to do so now that I’ve seen how it can transform a room so beautifully.

    • michele
      Author
      March 25, 2019 / 3:29 pm

      We’re so blessed – yepper! We don’t take our friendship for granted, and you’d be surprised how many folks will take one of us aside and ask, ‘but are you REALLY that close?’ As if sibling rivalry is always lurking. We have so many different qualities and no time for jealousy. I am ready to try another stenciling project too – it’s the easiest way I know to quickly create drama on a wall. 🙂 Thanks for reading, Celia!

  4. Joanna
    March 25, 2019 / 1:11 pm

    7 stories 9000 sq feet. Wow! It’s a beautiful facade and the inside has been nicely decorated but ALL those stairs. My poor knees! 😢
    I love seeing pictures of you & your sister, Jo. It’s such a loving relationship between siblings. You are blessed, my friend.

    • michele
      Author
      March 25, 2019 / 3:26 pm

      Hahaha! I cannot even imagine how one uses that sort of multistory luxury. Thanks for playing along. She’s such an amazing friend, and I hope I will never lose the memory of that dreamy day my mom brought her home from the hospital as a newborn, and I met my best friend! She’s my girl! 🙂

  5. April 3, 2019 / 8:29 am

    This is all so wonderful, and OH! that stenciled wall!! Beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things!

    • Michele
      Author
      April 3, 2019 / 8:56 am

      Thanks for taking a peek, Pam – looking forward to joining the inspiration tomorrow! 🙂

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White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing