I have shown you my favorite white modern farmhouse in Barrington, Illinois before with its renovated, 1875 historic home interiors. The owners initially opted for soft pastel wall colors and lived with them happily before choosing this more industrial palette. Two gray paint colors from Benjamin Moore play starring roles in the minimally decorated handsome home. In today’s Gray Paint Colors: BM Stonington Gray or Platinum Gray, we’ll explore medium grays and see how the colors look in various lighting conditions.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Photography: Hello Lovely Studio
But First…Happy Fall, Y’All
I wasn’t always an autumn lover – seeing the leaves change filled me with dread for the winter to come. But now I am better at being present so I can appreciate each season for all the change it brings.
After all, fall means I can pull all of my boots out of storage!
I just bought a pair of tan Ilse Jacobsen boots I look forward to wearing.
And if you need a stackable metal farmhouse chair for the porch or anywhere really to plop a pumpkin on…
On with the show.
Gray Paint Colors: BM Stonington Gray or Platinum Gray?
In this modern farmhouse, the owners didn’t favor one of these color options over the other so what did they do?
They could have mixed ’em together…but nope. They used both.
In some rooms where they wanted a moodier, cozy feel, they used the darker, Platinum Gray.
And in rooms where the mood was kept more buoyant, they painted those walls Stonington Gray.
Both of these paint colors live like atmospheric neutrals that you likely won’t grow tired of. That’s important when you’re hoping to live with the colors a long time!
BTW, how do folks even define ‘modern farmhouse’ these days? I ask because I know it is confusing to a lot of people. What WAS country or modern country or even country cottage morphed into American farmhouse style at some point.
The homeowners who restored this 19th century home were talking “farmhouse” wayyyyyy back in the 1990s because I was part of the conversation. If you’re seeking a primer for American farmhouse topics:
Metal roofed farmhouses like the one on the cover above influenced my friends who expanded their home’s footprint. But the architectural review board was not keen on the metal roof at all!
Defining Modern Farmhouse
In a conversation with a passenger seated next to me on a flight, this topic came up.
She was preparing her home for sale and inquired about staging tips.
As I discussed trends and features home buyers currently rate as highly desirable, she stopped me when I mentioned modern farmhouse style. She had never heard the term.
This herringbone patterned reclaimed wood bed stopped me in my tracks! Wouldn’t it be perfect in a freshened farmhouse?
Sitting Area: Brick Fireplace+ Platinum Gray
Sometimes it helps to see a paint color’s contrast and relationship with other tones like warm red brick:
Easiest way to see if a paint color will work? Order samples with Samplize and have them delivered straight to your door. Here’s Platinum Gray again with low contrast–a greyed reclaimed wood headboard made by the homeowners.
Greys Can Read Modern or Juxtapose With Vintage
I love how the same gray can feel very edgy and contemporary with brick yet zen-like with other more timeless materials. In the spa-like bath, it creates a quiet mood.
What a gorgeous effect with pale celadon glass tile and black finishes.
Medium Gray Paint Colors With White
When contrasted with white, Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray feels fresh and keeps a feminine design from becoming too precious or sweet.
You can also get a sense of what art looks like against this easy to live with, neutral paint color.
By now you have probably noticed that minimalists live here and restraint is everywhere. It certainly isn’t your granny’s farmhouse (no clutter or floral patterns).
Black Accents With Gray Walls in a Modern Farmhouse
This home has distinctive ebony stained hardwood flooring throughout. Can you imagine committing to black floors?
It is more common for modern farmhouse devotees to favor a neutral, white, and natural color story. But fans of industrial style recognize black can live like a neutral too.
Idea for a Black Bedroom
BM Stonington Gray in Serene Bedrooms
In this charming renovated modern farmhouse, you’ll find the decor reflects plenty of distressed and rustic finishes as well as nods to the past.
Psychological Underpinnings of Medium Gray Color
According to color psychology:
“Being both still and emotionless, gray is strong and steady, making a feeling of cool and self- restraint, and alleviates you from a riotous world. It doesn’t invigorate, empower, revive or energize. From color psychology point of view, gray looks moderate, exhausting, dull and discouraging.”
Dull and discouraging? Well that’s hardly an advertisement for grey paint! Ha!
What is one woman’s dull is another woman’s calm. And discouraging? I mean grey skies can certainly be…
Gray as a Minimalist Favorite
Platinum Gray Bathroom
Homeowner’s Favorite Scented Candle
Bright Idea: Turn an Extra Bedroom Into a Craft Room!
Grey Wall Color Photos
1. Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
2. Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray
This Home’s Exterior
See more of this home’s exterior here.
Get the Look: Industrial Farmhouse Furniture & Decor
Bedding in Bedrooms
Most Furnishings in This Home
Restoration Hardware (RH), Pottery Barn, and Crate & Barrel.
Dining Chairs
Dining Tables
Side Tables
For more ideas for paint colors and photos to inspire, give these stories a whirl:
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
Shop for items you already intended to buy on Amazon RIGHT HERE, and also find home decor here to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!
Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Another lovely post. J’espère que vous vous rétablirez vite. Feel better soon!
Author
Merci, Karyn. 🙂