Hi Doug,

IMHO, it's totally fine to paint the different floors different colors, even if you have a common wall that shares both floors (like mine). I used a darker shade upstairs (more sliders, light and 15 ft ceilings), and downstairs in my 8' ceiling bedrooms and even lower hallway, I used lighter colors.

You don't really need accent walls... Maybe just take whatever color you use 2 shades darker? The lighting is going to cast shadows depending on time of day, etc., anyways, so not really necessary...

If you go on Pinterest, there are so many nice combinations of color that are very popular and calming, so you can get ideas. The dust blue seems like a fairly dark gray? And you may prefer a softer/warmer gray that is not as blue? Look at the 'warm grays' in the last photo.

There are some very popular shades that work well with beige and gray (greige).... Here are a few snapshots of what's on Pinterest if you need some ideas... It's nice to see them side by side (as some gray goes blue, or green or beige...). My vote would be to pick from any of their top 5 grays or greiges and you can't go wrong....

Here are some top 10. Any of these would be PERFECT and go with all types of furniture, etc. Not too blue, not too dark, just right!

Skip the contrast / accent walls. They are difficult to get right.

Yes, but would it be ok to use two different colors for the two floors? Say, Light French Gray on the 1st floor, and Mindful Gray on the 2nd floor?

Yes you can do 2 different colors on floors, but where do you perform
the transition? Is there a natural break between the 2 floors? Light
French Gray seems a little on the cool side and Mindful Gray a little on
the warm side, not that you can't use them both but be wary of them
side by side. So where in the stairwell do you do the transition?
Pictures may help...

Hi, Doug--

In theory, you could use a different color per level. But in application, how well the color plan succeeds will be impacted by the type and degree of natural light the spaces receive, as well as how the connect. If it's similar to a townhouse-style plan (that can feature a tall or winding stair), it's probably best to keep your palette restrained to one tone, and, as others mentioned, forego contrasting accent wall tones since they create disruption. If it's Mindful Gray that you like for the main space, I'd consider using it on your lower level, too, to connect them and avoid the sometimes-blue cast of the L French Gray.

Are you planning to keep all ceilings white? That always helps lighten and brighten spaces uniformly, as well. Cheers!

Well... I've already got Light French Gray on the bottom floor... I can't repaint it... and yes it does sometimes have a blue tone. :( Painting walls is a total crap shoot. Results are totally random.

dgarstang, I agree! It's so difficult to look at a chip and then see it on the wall with light/shading/etc.

If you have a little money and time, maybe you can get a quart (of the below) and put it on a main wall upstairs, let it dry and see what you think. You might be in $30, but worth it. Agreeable Gray and Edgecomb Gray are classic and more warm (griege). You can definitely choose separate colors for each floor level.

Go to SW website and play with the room colors (find and explore) to get a basic idea...

https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/color/find-and-explore-colors/paint-colors-by-family/SW0055-light-french-gray#/7052/?s=similarColors&p=PS0