It looks pretty gray in the photo. . . but it may be that the warm creamy color of your walls is clashing with the cool gray of the sofa and making it look more purple-ish?

I'm no color expert, but what about vivid red throw pillows? I think that anything white or light blue may bring out more purple highlights. I can't tell you why I think that, but for some reason it seem right!

I know! The photos make it look gray, but trust me at certain times it has eggplant undertones.

I have a client who bought a sofa without my opinion and it has the same exact problem. You must always consider the base of any color. Its not just the name its called. Its the base color. Because fabrics fade. Are you going to like it when it fades? Or do you need to put window film in your windows to keep great fabrics from fading?

It looks like a dark periwinkle gray to me. To me a true gray is a bit less blue and purple than this one.

Have you tried to adjust the lighting to see what you can do with the color of the couch? Perhaps adjusting the lighting and the paint on the walls can turn your couch back into the "slate" color you fell in love with at the store. What did the store have for lighting? Go back to the store and look where the couch was situated...was it near a window...or flanked by fluorescents or halogens? Lighting definitely affects the way our eyes see and interpret color.

Yes CMR, that was just what I was after --a true gray. It really looked it in the showroom and even from the postage stamp size swatch they gave me to bring home. But this was a custom order, so now the couch is mine. What to do now with a rug & pillows that will help?

Some bright yellow pillows..has to be the right shade of yellow. http://budgetfriendlydecorating.com/beach-themed-bedroom/changes-to-the-beach-theme-bedroom/attachment/gorgeous-grey-and-yellow-pillows-2/

The complimentary color to purple is yellow, so I think you have too much yellow in your "white" walls and your wood floors look very warm and yellow. I think your whites need to be more muslim-natural or white with gray base instead of yellow base. The design photo has charcoal walls and though dark, it is stunning. Just a thought. The lanterns in front of the fireplace are lovely! Why not use more of that color?

Red pellows will only serve to highlight the clutter on the shelf. If that's the look you are going for, run with it.

BTW, it's a beautiful sofa.

Love these ideas, thanks. What would you recommend for an area rug?

Lol, took off my grey, cream and yellow cushions, until I get them right!

@pjmorris: ha! my next question will be about the clutter on the shelves! Until I took this photo, I didn't know it looked that bad. I actually have a cool antique camera collection up there, but obviously need to do a better job displaying!

complimentary clors have a strong affect, I suggest you also look up a term called "color casting" and you will find ways to 'throw' color at the couch, it is a methods artists use in painting

i think painting the walls with a white with greyish white undertones would be the best option then you still have the light you want to keep and it will bring out more grey in the couch

I would add other greys, I like this rug for your room, as not much rug will show, so you need something with a smaller scale design. The cushions can be a mix of patterns and colours. Do edit your bookcases first though as too much on the sofa and too much on the bookcases in this smaller space will be overwhelming.

I think wall color is the key and drapery and binds.

I'm thinking you need to add a coral color to the room. Gray drapes, change the mats on your pictures on the walls to gray, use coral color as an accent in an area rug, a vase, candy dish, Rug:

You may consider changing out the pictures over the sofa to art work with very little coral in it, but has the cream and gay in it also. It will bring the room together. Then you wont need to bring in coral accent pieces such as the vase and candy dish.

rug:

Here are some gray rugs I found. Like any?

I'm wondering about the one on the right with the black & white on gray. Maybe if I showcase my cameras better on the shelves, change the wall color to a pale silver and photo mats to charcoal?

another

Looks gray. Stay away from blues in the room.

hi

have a similar problem with a grey sofa looking purple and 2 armchairs that are green.. olive green :)

What colours should i use for the rug and curtains?

I'm with those who think the paint is to creamy-yellow. I would not add yellow pillows. Take your fabric swatch to the paint store and lay it on greige chips to see which color allows your fabric to "read" as gray. Let us know what worked!

Ahhh gray is the hardest color!!! We got our great room professionally painted BM Coventry gray and it looked like baby blue! I cried when I saw it. We changed all our light bulbs to warm colors and put some colorful art on the walls which helped, but I still see it at certain times of day which bugs me. My kitchen is BM whale gray which totally looks purple! I am curious what people say. I have no time to repaint anytime soon.

Ideas for gray and gray tones that work together