50 Shades of .... Gray?

So, it’s time to select paint colors for your whole first floor or possibly the entire house! Wow, that can be an overwhelming experience for a homeowner who doesn’t have the knowledge or design experience! Hmm,  how can we make this color selection flow from room to room, creating spaces that are what I like to call “eye pleasing” with “good vibe” feelings, despite the gloomy color trend which is….Gray. Here are some expert tips on how to master this color and make it a highlight of your home.

  1. Know Your Space.

    What are you using this space for and what do you plan to keep in the existing room so that you can coordinate colors and tones? Are you remodeling in the near future? Are we coordinating any particular color scheme with your favorite artwork, pillows, furniture? These are all important considerations to keep in mind in the decision making process.

  2. Bending The Trend.

    Gray is on trend, and my prediction is that it’s not going away anytime soon. So how do we use gray in a way that’s not SO gray? We all know Gray is not the most cheerful of colors.  Use tones of gray instead.  Gray with a tint of color. A great example is: BJM Wales Gray that gives off a tint of green whereas BJM Evening Shadow gives off a tint of blue. See pictures below to see what I am talking about.

    3.Determine How Much Or How Little Of The Main Area You Want To Paint The Same.

    What are your main areas to be painted, foyer, hallway etc? If you’re like most of my clients you are transitioning from golden tones to gray tones, so how do you tie in what is already existing in rooms while creating a soft flow? My two favorite go to’s are BJM Balboa Mist and SW Accessible Beige. The reason being, they appear beige but in certain lights can actually give a gray hue depending on the lighting, time of day or both.

  3. Get Samples!

    Get over-sized color samples! Whether you order a larger sample card or quart of paint to sample on foam board to see color, this will give you a better understanding of what your final result will look like. Paint can look different in different spaces on different walls. Move the color around the room at different times of the day to get a real sense of what it will look like in your home with lighting, particularly natural light. Bright natural light tends to wash out the color. Don’t make the mistake of basing your decision on one wall only in the morning! 

    Here is a link to purchase the SW Color Collection and BJM Classic Decks Below!

I hope these were some helpful tips in aiding you through the paint selection process! As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions that you may have, or to schedule your design consultation!

Mary FortunaComment