THE COLOR YOU CRAVE: GRAY

Choosing a color you are going to live with for a while is intimidating

Especially facing hundreds of tiny squares of color

at your local paint store

via

Throw into the mix lighting, undertones and the fact that the color you see on your computer screen can be completely different than the one you bring home...


A good rule of thumb is to stay with the colors you love.  Love blue?  Find a grayed down version in the shade of blue you love.  Gray softens and neutralizes the color and makes it more livable as a wall color.  Remember that the color will intensify when its on all four walls of a room, and always ALWAYS remember to try a sample on your walls (recommend on a poster board with a white border you can move about and try in different spots).

And relax.  If it looks good on the swatch and on the sample - paint!  It's going to overwhelm you and be in your face at first - but when all of your furniture and accessories are in place it should settle into the background and be that perfect backdrop.  Your eyes and brain will adjust and soon you will hardly notice it - and that's perfect.  A great wall color doesn't try to be the main focus of the room - it should become part of the total design.

Need help choosing a color?  Leave me a comment or send me an email:  your-nest@hotmail.com

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QUESTION FROM A READER:

I would love your advice on a color for my family room/breakfast room/kitchen. Right now it's Sherwin Williams ryegrass with the fireplace accent wall a brown (can't remember the name).  

I was thinking of Drizzle by Sherwin Williams and bought a sample, painted it on a small portion of wall and it's just too much I think.  

Sherwin Williams DRIZZLE

Sherwin Williams DRIZZLE

Could I use something with a grayish tone...because everything in my house seems to be a warmer/brownish palette. Love your website and wish I lived nearby!

Thanks for your assistance!!

Nichole Schweppe 

Nichole,

Drizzle is a very strong color, and a little overpowering in a room.  It works best as an accent color - for an

accent wall, a piece of furniture or a front door.  

SW DRIZZLE

The browns and beige tones you already have in your home should look great with any grayed down 

blue/green or blue tones.  The cooler tones will make the warm tones look their best, and vice versa.

Here are a few to try:

SW BREEZY

SW BREEZY

SW COMFORT GRAY

SW COMFORT GRAY

SW GRAY SCREEN

SW INTERESTING AQUA

SW INTERESTING AQUA

SW PORTAL BLUE / SW SCOTTISH LOCH

SW RAINWASHED

BEHR PRELUDE

GOOD LUCK!