Choosing Color: Give Me More Gray Days
Layer On the Grays for a Sophisticated Look in Any Room
I can't get enough of gray. Whatever shade, warm or cool, whatever mood I am in. Gray is still one of the hottest go-to shade for designers. As a background neutral, it goes with any color. As the dominant color, it's a great choice for layering shade upon shade upon shade. The opposite of depressing, as its name implies, it is urban and compelling. Let me show you why:
Tone-on-tone grays in the dining room are sophisticated. The weathered wood credenza takes on a gray hue, and silver metallics in the sputnik light, display objects, and even painted chairs provide a monotone sparkle. Gray paint and wallpaper on the walls all work together for a uniform designer look.
Don't be afraid to paint a nursery gray. Not every child's room has to be a kaleidoscope of bright colors. A simple decal and a small colorful banner are all you need for touches of color. The rest of the space can be kept simple and plain so as not to overwhelm a baby's developing senses.
Gray walls grow up with the child and transition nicely to a teen room.
Gray painted walls are a wonderful backdrop for a collection of black and white photos set up in a gallery wall. The white matting and white floor base create a dramatic contrast.
Another gray wall, this time in the living room, is a sophisticated backdrop for enlarged black-and-white family photos. The white sofa with white curtains keep the space casual and on the lighter side.
The newest direction in traditional kitchens is to retain the revered traditional sillouettes and cabinet hardware, but mix things up a bit by painting cabinets gray (instead of the expected white) and using brass (instead of the expected brushed nickel). Don't you love this twist?
Gray used in bathrooms with white wainscoting and white ceramic plumbing fixtures feels crisp and classy. It complements the natural grays in the floor tile as well as the silvery tones of the fanciful mirror and lighting.
Is it gray? Is it blue? A blue-gray is a nice way to get the best of both worlds. It looks amazing with rich wood or brown leather furniture. A unique idea is to paint your walls and the floor the same blue-gray.
Gray and yellow are a winning pair. Gray’s subtleness allows yellow to shine in all its cheerful glory. The crazier the combination of bright and colorful patterns in your upholstery or home accessories, the more welcome a gray background becomes as a way to counterbalance all the visual activity with cool simplicity.
Browse: More ways to play with gray
Browse: More ways to play with gray