Want the quick answer to why timeless grey paint colors often get the thumbs down these days (oh my stars, I want ANYTHING but gray!)? We saw a lot of it in the 2010s–an over-saturation from suburbia to the farm, and a lot of folks tired of it, assuming all greys are created equal. In reality, there is a rainbow of grey from grayed whites to pale silver-blues to charcoal. There is also resistance to admit grey doesn’t have to read sterile or gloomy. The right grey can work magically (and economically!) to quiet the mood of a room or provide a chic backdrop.
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Timeless Grey Paint to Try
Light greys in particular can become a lovely start as you layer other design elements in a space. The key is choosing the right one for your particular project. Imagine the beauty of wintry skies, feathers, old stone, sterling, and the moon.
Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray & Agreeable Gray at the Georgian
Here are the timeless shades of grey in our home:
The range of greys are more suggestive of quietude and peacefulness than an energetic or dynamic vibe.
In other story, we looked at blue-greys in particular.
Are Shades of Grey Different to Live With Than Shades of White?
Hard, fast rules probably don’t exist for such questions. So much depends on your unique lighting, setting, and exposure. I can tell you how living with whites and greys in Northern Illinois is a far different experience than living with those neutrals in the Southwest. The interplay of environment with color is huge. Are there green leafy trees just outside the window? Skyscrapers? It matters as you discern the best hues for you. Always sample at least 3 different colors on the wall or trim before deciding on one.
Sample a Variety of Mid-Tones & Pale Grey
Pssst. Buy samples HERE before making your final decision for walls, ceilings, trim, cabinets and windows.
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I am including a range of grey paint colors from light to medium in part because lighting conditions really do come into play. In a room with northern exposure, a lighter grey may give you the desired mid-tone effect when something darker could read too dark.
Timeless Shades of Grey: Farrow & Ball PAVILIION GRAY 242
Pavilion Gray is a gorgeous mid-tone grey very similar to Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray which seems to fetch more attention and is also included below.
I painted our kitchen cabinets Pavilion Gray mixed at 66% saturation:
When the kitchen is awash with sunlight, the gray color is warmed by the sun and appears more blue. In the evening, the color appears a cooler true grey.
So don’t forget you can tweak a color’s saturation if it’s almost right but a bit too dark.
In the next inspiration photo, this gray appears more taupe or greige:
Do bear in mind how undertones and lighting will interact and affect your perception of the color in your unique space.
Try This Timeless Shadde of Grey: Benjamin Moore PASHMINA
Lisa Furey used a couple of Benjamin Moore grays I also love in the modern farmhouse coastal cottage property we toured on the blog. The first is BM Pashmina.
BM Pashmina reminds me of a very Parisian grey, and Furey used it on the kitchen island.
(BM Pashmina is similar to SW Agreeable Gray which is the color of our family room and bedrooms at the Georgian.)
PASHMINA, like Agreeable Gray, is warm. You’ll get a better idea of warm and cool greys when you compare them side by side.
For example, another gray the interior designer used in this project was this cool grey:
Sherwin Williams TINSMITH 7657
SW Tinsmith 7657 is a cool and gentle grey the designer used for bathroom vanities. The color reminds me of Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray.
Additional possibilities of greys with green undertones include Gray Owl, Mindful Gray, and SW Dorian Gray.
Curious about the white paint color in these baths? Benjamin Moore White OC-151.
We Pause for a Serene House Tour
We’ll continue this exploration of timeless grey paint in part two!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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