A GRAY HORSE

Benjamin Moore's paint color, Gray Horse,  is a light gray with a slight green undertone.  It is on my 'lovely colors' list.  [I really must get around to blogging about them some day soon.]

One of my readers recently used Gray Horse for her kitchen cabinets and wrote this note to me:  

Hi Claudine,
Its been a while, but we finally got around to painting the kitchen cabinets... we went with Gray Horse and although we love how the cabinets came out, we are having a difficult time selecting the wall color. In some lighting, particularly in the evening when the kitchen light is on, it looks more green. So we are confused as to what color would look good in all lighting. Have you used any colors that you think would coordinate well with Gray Horse?

You have discovered Gray Horse's undertone.  Gray Horse has a definite green undertone, which makes it a beautiful beautiful color.

I actually love this color, but it can be difficult to find other colors to go with it because of the undertone.    White looks great with it, as does black and deep wood tones.   I have used a soft teal green or turquoise to good effect  and I think that possibly a very cool tan/beige - like Dunn Edwards Crisp Muslin - would also work.  Gray Horse cabinets mean it is the bulk of your kitchen.  It is your main color and you may only need nice creamy white walls and accents of color in the teal/aqua range or in a complementary color - either bright or muted.  A lot will depend on the other colors you have or plan to use in your home.  Here are some suggestions of colors that go well with Gray Horse.

 

Gray Horse - Benjamin Moore
used here with teal

If these accents don't go with your decor, take a look at the paint strip and use one of the deeper or lighter colors.  A wall color of Winter White or Storm Cloud may be just the ticket, as long as you relieve all that gray with a good contrast - white or black.

Good luck!

Another color question:

Hi Claudine,

I was hoping you can help me build a color palette with Benjamin Moore Affinity 100 Pashmina (to be used in our 2 story foyer/hallway). I am looking for 2 to 3 colors (one for a kitchen which has dark walnut cabinets, one for an accent wall in the foyer for a gallery wall, and one for a

family room). The family room and kitchen are adjacent to each other.  Thanks for your help!

T. Blackburn

Pashmina is another of my favorites.  It is a warm and enveloping, cozy color - but sophisticated.

Here are a few suggestions, since I don't know your color preferences.  All should go well with dark walnut cabinets, and the darker hues would work well as an accent wall.   Try them out in your home, as you know light, size of room and so many other factors will influence your paint color that it is best to see them on the wall before you make your choice.

Good Luck!