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Design Dilemma
keako

Benjamin Moore Gray Owl Light Blue?

11 years ago
I'm having trouble getting a consistent color using BM's Gray Owl color. I had it color matched at SW and am using their Cashmere paint. The problem is it is appearing light blue on some walls instead of pale silver/gray. On primed trim and primed new drywall it is the light true gray color I was expecting. When I paint over my existing textured drywall (which is a light peachy taupe) it comes out light blue. Do you think I am getting that weird light blue because of the color I am going over? Would it make a difference if I primed my walls first?
Featured Answer
  • 10 years ago
    I decided to nix the Gray Owl and instead repainted in Pearl Gray. It's the color shown below.

    Dreamy whites · More Info

    Comments (14)

    • 11 years ago
      Watching this thread to see advice on the dilemma
    • 11 years ago
      Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams use completely different colorants in their paint formulas- you are never going to get an exact match there. Interestingly- Sherwin Williams does not have a grey colorant, Benjamin Moore does. That is my first thought. My second thought is the lighting in your room. Are there windows? What direction do they face (east and north facing windows give off a very cool (blue) light). Look at the color during different times of the day and see if it changes. Good Luck!

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    • 11 years ago
      Thank you. I'm not sure if the problem lies in SWs formula bc there are those who use BM and complain about the blueish hue. I will prime an area today and then try again and let you know the results.
    • 11 years ago
      My guess would be the light as well. I had previously used a cool grey throughout my house and the color ranged from taupe to grey and from blue to lavender depending on the time of day (or night) and the artificial and natural lighting.

      My current color, a greige, does not do this as much. It goes darker to lighter in tone but it does not change color.
    • 11 years ago
      It might be the lighting but the two surfaces (primed wood and textured drywall) are directly next to each other and look completely different.
    • 11 years ago
      I've found the same gray looks different in different houses and different light. Have to experiment with large board before actually committing.
    • 11 years ago
      Always prime between colors and use two top coats for complete coverage. Even then, different textures and different walls in the same room will always appear different colors. It's about how they refract light, and it gives a room life instead of being dull and flat. You WANT this in order to give a room depth.
    • 10 years ago

      Gray owl looks blue and green in my nursery , not gray at all ... Disappointed. I used revere pewter for almost the whole house and love it (a "greige")

    • PRO
      9 years ago

      My hairdresser painted her salon in Owl Gray and it is totally a light blue color. I was amazed at how many people on line say that it is a a true gray color. I have Agreeable Gray on my walls now and it is the perfect gray color. I am just wanting a change from Agreeable although I love it. I like to change. Looking for a gray color with more beige/taupe colors. I want to keep it light. Any suggestions? Love the pearl gray above.



    • 9 years ago

      I just painted some rooms BM Edgecomb Gray- in my home it's the prefect light greige.

    • 6 years ago

      A bit late to the party, but it for me the reason gray owl turned out light blue is because the walls were bright yellow previously and despite primer+2 coats, this wasn't enough. If I put it on a patch of white wall, booom its looks like gray again:X

    • 4 years ago

      can gray owl be mixes with a light greige to get the blue undertones out of it? please respond ASAP

    • 4 years ago

      what greige to mix with grey owl to tone down the blue green in gray owl.... ???

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