If you remain on the lookout for just right, elegant, dreamy silvery grey paint colors, you may fall for Sherwin-Williams Repose Gray or Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray. We’ll look at this very similar duo to save you a little time and headache. Ready to explore the sophisticated subtlety of blue-grey?
SW Repose Gray or Pavilion Gray?
We’ll first consider Repose Gray – a color we embraced in a big way when we bought our Georgian style home five years ago. This colored the walls in the entry, dining, and living rooms.
A Shade of Gray That is Repose Gray?
Sherwin-Williams says “Tranquil tones and soothing warmth make this light gray a great choice in almost any space. For a complementary trim, pair with Eider White.” I agree about its charm with Eider White. Eider White on our kitchen walls is a lovely transition. The LRV (light reflectance value) of Repose Gray is 58 on a scale of 0 to 100.
I liked the neutrality and atmospheric serenity of Repose Gray walls enough that I decided to leave it and live with it. (There were plenty of other decisions to make with this DIY renovation…the prospect of renting scaffolding to paint two-story walls in cold weather didn’t appeal!)
Living with the color across the seasons paid off. It’s one of the Sherwin-Williams bestsellers because of its versatility. It isn’t too cool, but it’s also not too warm. With plentiful sunshine on it in our primary bath, Repose Gray looks like this:
But how does it vary from Pavilion Gray?
I was shocked when I brought home a sample of Pavilion Gray No. 242. It was strikingly similar!
Repose Gray & Pavilion Gray Side by Side
While they are close to the same gray color, they vary with slightly different undertones.
Repose Gray is a bit lighter and more greige since Pavilion Gray’s blue undertones are perceivable when you see the color next to Repose Gray.
Undertones matter! That’s why it’s important to sample multiple colors HERE.
For example, I painted our kitchen cabinets Pavilion Gray (at 66%) to arrive at a pale, blue-gray that sometimes appears blue when washed with sunlight. (All that means is I mixed 2/3 Pavilion Gray with 1/3 pure white to get a lighter version of this gray. If you choose to have them do this for you at the paint counter, I recommend trying a sample that way first…I wanted total control and experimented at home.)
Pavilion Gray at 66% in My Kitchen
In the evening without natural light, the cabinets look more gray. If I had painted them Repose Gray, the color may not have been as suggestive of the blue-grey I was after. My favorite blue is a very gentle greyed-blue that feels muted and not too precious.
BOTH of these grays are going to be beautiful straight from the can (like on my entry, dining, living room walls) or tweaked as I did for the kitchen cabinets.
What is the Color Pavilion Gray Like?
“This classic mid grey was originally created for a bespoke pavilion, but is also reminiscent of an elegant 18th century Swedish colour. One of the Architectural Neutrals, the subtle blue undertones of Pavilion Gray add a contemporary touch and sense of spaciousness. Combine with Dimpse, Blackened or Manor House Gray in any combination for a scheme that is perfect for the modern family home.” – FARROW & BALL
As mentioned earlier, the full strength of Pavilion Gray seemed too dark for my taste so I mixed 2/3 of it with a white paint color used on trim (Sherwin-Williams Emerald Urethane Trim Enamel in Satin). The color became a custom HELLO LOVELY SWEDISH GREY-BLUE.
Keep in mind you can customize your gray as you wish because it is going to vary according to your room’s light. Here are more possibilities from Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore for colors similar to Pavilion Gray:
You cannot trust every image online for pure representations of a particular color. For example, I can’t really perceive blue undertones in the color in this photo at all:
Sometimes a paint color reflects differently than expected because of how photo edits or position of the sun. There’s also the interplay of natural light and even the geographical location of the home. In Glennon and Abby’s home above, the photo depicts a more taupe, Parisian-like tone.
In the kitchen above, Pavilion Gray appears warm and more stone-like.
Which Grey is the Right Grey Paint for Your Needs?
You WILL land on the proper color by sampling different contenders. Take your time. When you see multiple colors side by side, their differences will become clear. As you watch the light change across the day, you’ll also notice how they vary.
I love how Gemma used this hue in her kitchen (above) with Downpipe. The light floors blend so harmoniously with Pavilion Gray!
Inspiration for Pavilion Gray on Walls
Depending on the time of day and exposure, this grey can vary…
This next space provides a clue about how cozy the color can be:
and here it is in the sunshine…
reminding me very much of our own living room painted in the similar Repose Gray!
What Mood Will Repose Gray Create?
I have a rather unique vantage point since I live daily with a handful of grays which are all quite similar: Repose Gray (entry, dining, living, baths, closet), Agreeable Gray (bedrooms, family room), Eider White (which is a pale grey on kitchen walls, laundry room walls and cabinetry), and Pavilion Gray (kitchen cabinetry).
Cooler and less beige than Agreeable Gray, it feels slightly formal, serene, and elegant to my senses. But it’s not as blue-grey as Bunny Gray (above). Compared to Pavilion Gray? I would describe Repose Gray’s mood as “friendlier” since it is a bit warmer and cozier.
What Mood Will Pavilion Gray Create?
If you’re after a calm and serene mood, bet you’ll find it swell.
Why is that? Wondering why some grey paint colors can feel dingy or cold or ewwwww and others feel elegant, serene, and fresh?
In a word, undertones. A top notch firm with a rich history like Farrow & Ball went to great lengths to get it right. What makes a grey like this so utterly successful is how it magically looks beautiful across a range of different spaces.
I think the reason I am drawn to this grey is because it reminds me of:
sterling silver,
my favorite timeless rooms,
winter trees,
and the Giannettis and Patina Farm! Wait. A farm? Yep. The farm where I first learned about this grey paint color.
A Winning Gray Designers Love
When Brooke and Steve Giannetti were building their modern farmhouse in Ojai years ago, they used a custom grey they mentioned was similar to Pavilion Gray. The Giannettis used that light grey color on steel doors and windows (above) and for exterior elements as well.
The color makes perfect sense given their passion for Swedish antiques and was enough of an endorsement for me!
Pavilion Gray:
or Repose Gray for you?
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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