Rainy Day Gray

They say that April is the cruelest month, but right now, I think it just might be May - in the mid-Atlantic, anyway, where April sunshine turned into May showers. Outside my window it's wet and gray, gray, gray.

Since I can't do much about the weather, I decided to change my mood with a few reminders that while it's a bit depressing outside, gray can be a terrific addition to interiors. Cool, classy, classic - it's a color that works in both traditional and modern spaces and that is equally at home in casual or formal homes.

While I try to talk the clouds into clearing, here are some of my favorite examples of gray on the inside:

Kit Pollard

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I love this space for the very minimal gray touches. Just a little paint on a bedframe and the room goes from bland to interesting. And, again, a fantastic mix of modern and traditional.

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This room is the opposite of the cool modernity of the above space. Between the chandelier, the ornate furniture, the wallcoverings and, of course, that canopy, it's an ode to excess. Fortunately, a muted gray and silver palette keeps the decor looking truly sophisticated, where another color might actually look campy.

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This space does a great job blending classic elements - love those pillars! - with a modern aesthetic. Here, multiple tones of gray are cool and modern, but don't feel out of place with the space's traditional bones.

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What an amazing space. I love the windows and I LOVE the bright lime table and the wild chairs. I can't imagine any color but gray providing such a good backdrop for those pieces. It's the perfect neutral.

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Back in the kitchen, but this time, the look is modern and sleek - mostly. I like the way the ultra modern cabinets are set off by the hanging post. A little touch of the traditional goes a long way.

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Gray is right at home in the traditional kitchen above, but it's equally perfect in this super-modern bath. I love the steely wall, especially next to a wall of windows.

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Gray is a surprising, but great, choice for cabinets. I like the way it slightly modernizes this traditional kitchen. It adds character. Plus, it's so practical. Think about how many little smudges the color hides. Less cleaning makes everybody happy!

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I can't get enough of this wallpaper. It's so pretty and sophisticated - feminine but grown-up.

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This bedroom, with its angles and serious colors, could cross the line into severity, if it weren't for that bright orange-red chair. I like gray best when there's some contrast, Bright red, orange and yellow work best, bringing warmth to an otherwise cool space.