EXPLORING COLOR
Aganthus Green (Benjamin Moore)
PART OF THAT FIRST STEP . . .
IS CHOOSING A PAINT COLOR
Choosing a paint color can be a daunting task. There are literally thousands of colors to choose from, and even if you know what colors you are using in your decor, wall color can be difficult. So, some tips to help make it a little bit easier:
DO: Choose a neutral for your background color. (Neutrals are not limited to whites, tans, browns, greys and beige. Every color has a neutral - muted down, or grayed versions will enhance but not overpower your decor.) Your wall color should not be the first thing you see when you enter a room - it should all pull together as one balanced look.
This chart shows what happens when gray is added to colors, creating beautiful neutrals.
DO: Invest in some sample pots of the colors you are considering. Instead of painting your walls with the samples, paint two coats on poster board, leaving a 2" white border. The advantage is that you can tack the poster board to your wall and move the board around the room and see the colors in different light. The white border keeps your current wall color from influencing the new color. (You may find that soft sage green turns into pea soup in the evening light, or that the soft peach is actually neon once it's on four walls).
DON'T: Let color indimidate you. Paint is the easiest element to change and the least expensive.
We are all familiar with the neutrals of tan, taupe and beige and their range of colors. If you want to explore some choices from your armchair, check out this website
Be aware beige and tan can have a pink or yellow/orange undertone. Make sure you test on the wall (poster board) and in different light throughout the day, or it may turn ugly on you.
Clay Beige by Benjamin Moore
Woodstock Tan (Benjamin Moore)
Benjamin Moore colors
Another popular choice in wall color
earthy and soothing greens
Green has the power to make you feel calm and serene.
Hampton Green (Benjamin Moore)
Keep your greens soft and muted (with a grey tone to them). Too vibrant a hue will result in this:
Yikes!!! NOT a neutral!
cool blues
Benjamin Moore colors
(Valspar -Blue Arrow)
Sea Salt by Sherwin Williams
Benjamin Moore's color palette is truly exceptional. (Pottery Barn also uses their paint for the catalog).
I also love the yummy colors at Restoration Hardware.
Restoration Hardware colors
Pale Silver (Restoration Hardware)
Silver Sage (Restoration Hardware)
Latte (Restoration Hardware)
A color that is growing in popularity for its sheer versatility, is Gray
It is the new neutral - the perfect foil for virtually every other color.
EXPLORING GREY
Gray is not limited to the lighter version of black we grew up with. Today's gray includes a full spectrum of color and intensity and looks beautiful paired with your favorite color.
Take a look at these photos, and say hello to the newest neutral trend
Gray looks wonderful with silver, and surpisingly just as elegant with gold.
It is beautiful paired with cream or crisp white
It looks dramatic with black and yellow accents
Gray doesn't overpower or fight with other colors. It is the perfect well-behaved neutral.
It warms up with burnt orange or pumpkin
One of my favorite combinations is a soothing gray beige with cream and tan
A calm gray beige with white is a perfect palette for a soothing nursery
Gray-blue creates a cool, clean classic with white and chrome/silver
Revere Pewter (Benjamin Moore) accented with black
More of my favorite grey tones with tan and cream - soft on the eye with pops of black to add contrast
Fabric and Upholstery take on the gray tones in this design by Candice Olson
Love this Grey and Beige/Cream palette. The darker wood gives it depth.
Darker greys create a masculine atmosphere
Dove Gray - so sweet
this soft neutral gray is the perfect backdrop for this colorful palette and artwork
a combination of gray and tobacco with darker woods -
proof that gray works with nearly every color and wood tone
soft gray painted cabinets
Blue-grey and white - a classic look
I used these colors with black and silver accents in my son's room
blue-gray perfectly compliments these warm wood tones and orange/pumpkin accents
beautiful layers - light gray walls with deeper upholstery and rich wood tones
paired with cream again - I'm liking this!
masculine drama in charcoal with aubergine - a denser palette
this soft grey/lavender is beautiful, airy and feminine
Atmospheric (Pottery Barn color from Benjamin Moore)
(I like that tone on tone sign over the bed with the vinyl lettering)
Stonington Gray (Benjamin Moore)
Willow Creek (Benjamin Moore)
Pantone (Farrow and Ball)
design by Helen Green
Grey-greens sooth and calm - and look striking with white molding
kitchen cabinets with a grey wash
Gray is a perfect cameleon - cool on its own - when paired with warmer colors it allows them to shine
there is nothing 'cool' about this room..
tell me you love the ledge behind the bed and the giant mirror as headboard that adds light and dimension to this room. that's creating brilliant magic, baby!
the pale gold with that beigey-gray - poetry
from mochatini.org
Taupe is a cool brown/beige with gray tones - so it compliments the rich tones of the wood floor and the sparkle of the mirror. White adds an extra punch.
tan is the perfect compliment to this silver blue room
Sandy Hook Grey (Benjamin Moore)
Creekside Green (Benjamin Moore)
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| Soft grey blue in baby's room |
from Better Homes and Gardens magazine
white washed (gray washed) woods
A pale silver-gray on this staircase suits the silvery mirrors perfectly
Like an overcast day, gray enhances the other colors around it. I hope you have enjoyed exploring gray with me. I'm planning to use it in my office as I make preparations to remodel there. I have been INSPIRED!
I Hope You Have , Too!
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