Shades of gray for kitchens fetch precious little respect these days, and as an ambassador for understated, atmospheric colors that reflect calm, I am not entertained. Trendy colors are fabulous when you’re into fashion and quick to board bandwagons. But if you seek a just right grey for your kitchen?
Shades of Gray (and Blue Gray) for Kitchens
Hello Lovely’s Blue Gray Kitchens
The shades of gray I choose are not everyone’s cup of tea. And that’s the spice of life! What utterly bores you to tears may be the just right mood for me. Our Illinois kitchen cabinets are painted Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray (at 66% saturation).
Our Arizona kitchen cabinets are Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray…with the strong Southwest sunlight, the color gets washed out and appears putty-like in person.
Our former Arizona kitchen cabinets were Behr Classic Silver.
Are These Unexpected Shades of Gray Kitchen Paint Colors?
Let’s explore more cool and chic gray tones that may make sense for you to sample.
Grey Kitchen: Benjamin Moore SILVER LINING
While ambiguity and uncertainty may be associated with shades of grey, I like their mystery, nuance, and delicate qualities.
When I consider the divided state of our nation, black and white thinking getting us nowhere, and how higher consciousness demands a non-dual perspective, the realm between light and dark, the silvering of it all, is quite welcome.
Farrow & Ball De Nimes
Shades of gray often feel sophisticated and elegant (did you catch my post about chic elegance?).
Within worlds of fashion and interior design, gray tones suggest understated luxury and chic minimalism. Consider the range of greige glory in Paris! It can definitely go melancholic or too cold, but that’s why I’m here with splendid possibilities.
Is it the timeless neutrality of gray that renders it so useful?
Try This One: Farrow & Ball FRENCH GRAY 18
Forget about trend reports consistently rejecting neutrals for design, fashion, or paint. When you’re after classic and sophisticated, look the other way.
I have read various analyses equating shades of gray with progress, innovation, and wisdom, but in terms of the nitty gritty, the key is sampling a handful and noticing how they make you feel.
Farrow & Ball JITNEY
Shades of grey obviously bring to mind the unknown, and I must admit I admire their ethereal spiritual quality.
Does this shade feel like grey or brown?
What a kitchen from M+M Interior Design!
Sherwin-Williams NIGHT OWL
It seems less common to see a grey kitchen introduce wood tones like this:
But isn’t it a lovely steely effect?
Gray often casts a humble net; it recedes and allows surrounding colors to come forward. How can you knock a great equalizer?
Farrow & Ball OFF-BLACK
Plenty of situations call for a rich dark shade of gray. This one’s nearly black.
I’m keeping my eye on the trendy nature of “timeless design.” I wonder when the tides will turn and we’ll be seeing BEYOND TIMELESS IS A NEW DIMENSION or TRADE TIMELESS FOR FULLY NOW. Hahahahaha.
I think timeless as a description is often misunderstood as “nostalgic” rather than a realm of the cosmic and quantum.
And just in case you love the wall color of that unforgettable kitchen above…
It isn’t true that “timeless tones” or shades of gray suit everyone. If a moody shade of grey stomps your buzz, there’s a rainbow out there! Is yellow your friend?
Also find blue kitchen colors here. Photos (unless otherwise noted): Country Living, with more ideas for kitchen color stories.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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