How to use it. Just like gray, purple mist can function as a neutral either subtly or showcased all around a room. It’s a versatile and pale hue that can brighten a dark room while adding a touch of color. When used on a bedroom’s walls and accessories, purple mist conveys a sense of peace. Paint color: Elephant Gray, Benjamin Moore
Semigloss. The higher the degree of gloss in a paint, the more visual depth it will have and the lighter the perceived color will be. So, when choosing a darker shade especially, selecting a semigloss or more subtle satin finish can make a color seem less aggressive and more multidimensional and help keep the paint from absorbing all of the light in the room.
Dutch Boy’s selection of Sandstone Tint is firmly in beige territory, this particular shade has a touch of gray in it, which renders it less pink. It’s a solid base that plays well with all colors, allowing you to bring in more assertive hues through furnishings, artwork and other decorative accessories.
Gray Owl 2137-60 by Benjamin Moore For this bathroom in Denver, interior designer Crystal Russell knew exactly the light gray she needed. “This particular gray was very soft and modern, with just enough cool gray, but with a subtle green undertone,” she says. “The color just reads very ‘quiet,’ and you can pick up more or less green during different hours of the day. It’s truly a perfect soothing bathroom color.”
A good example of the warm-cool balance Clark mentions appears in this boho-meets-nautical bedroom. Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams pulls together warm tans and cool blues. Interior designer Jane Haley is also a big fan of Mindful Gray. “My favorite neutral gray that still has warmth is Mindful Gray, which I have used in 25 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent for walls and ceilings. It also paints up beautifully in an oil-based enamel for cabinets,” she says.
Knitting Needles SW7672 by Sherwin-Williams Mattison also finds Knitting Needles works with all sorts of colors, materials, styles and light. “This is very similar to Repose Gray but a little cooler in tone,” he says. “It’s a great neutral gray that pretty much goes with everything. It’s the little black dress of the paint world.”
Repose Gray SW7015 by Sherwin-Williams Interior designer Carl Mattison specializes in taking dilapidated historic Atlanta homes and breathing new life into them. A range of warm and cool grays play a big role in his aesthetic, which appeals to many buyers. “Warm grays tend to fall on the scale of less blue and a bit more taupe at times. It also could be said they are less ‘silvery,’” the designer says. “Repose Gray is very light in person. It pairs well with brighter white trims and a buttery Chardonnay.”
Revere Pewter HC-172 by Benjamin Moore “Because of the fog in San Francisco, gray paint can sometimes look blue, so we need a warmer gray,” interior designer Tineke Triggs says. “This one is my go-to color.” Here it provides a great backdrop for bold colors in the painting on the wall and textiles in the room.
Mindful Gray SW7016 by Sherwin-Williams pulls together warm tans and cool blues. Interior designer Jane Haley is also a big fan of Mindful Gray. “My favorite neutral gray that still has warmth is Mindful Gray, which I have used in 25 percent, 50 percent and 100 percent for walls and ceilings. It also paints up beautifully in an oil-based enamel for cabinets,” she says.
Notice how the wall color here has been freshened up with clean white towels and a contrasting plain white on the adjacent wall, so the room still feels clean without being sterile. As a subtle twist, the off-white continues across the ceiling for an intimate mood. Tip: When pairing stone tiles with an off-white, draw from the tones in the stone (usually the lightest one you can spot) to create a smooth transition between surfaces
Soft neutral green. Think sage, celery or a light pistachio hue. These are also colors taken from nature, and being surrounded by them while inside your home can elicit feelings of serenity and contentment. What I like about these greens is that you can go with a barely there whisper of color, and it still feels grounded and elegant and not at all pastel. Again, the trick is to find a green that has a good bit of gray in it.
Soft neutral green. Think sage, celery or a light pistachio hue. These are also colors taken from nature, and being surrounded by them while inside your home can elicit feelings of serenity and contentment. What I like about these greens is that you can go with a barely there whisper of color, and it still feels grounded and elegant and not at all pastel. Again, the trick is to find a green that has a good bit of gray in it.
Like idea of painted focal wall.
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