Ways with Gray Wall Colors

Gray, for a Change of Pace

Stepping down into the living room of my new client, I was met by an open view to an expanse of suburban canyon. The space was modern and airy, with a steeply sloped ceiling in half of the room. I thought the white walls seemed a good fit — a fresh coat of a white paint color would freshen up the walls; we’d address the needed furniture updates. But … my client wanted a complete change!

In addition to the light from the long wall of window, light from an adjacent dining area to the right and a french door to a patio on the left, light also flooded the room from a skylight above. With so much light, and the fact that my client wanted a very modern, sophisticated look, I chose a warm medium gray for the walls: Benjamin Moore Himalayan Trek (1542). The gray wall color was an excellent background for the homeowner’s collection of paintings, some quite large. The gray tied the various artworks together in a way that the white wall color did not. For the foyer I chose a deeply rich tone to accentuate the artwork displayed in the entry area, and to add drama to the space. The entry wall color: Sherwin-Williams Spalding Gray (SW 6074), a deep taupe with burgundy undertones.

(Photos by Oregon based Larry Stanley.)

Gray for variety

Gray tones, from the almost white to deep taupe, can be a great choice if you’re looking for an alternative to white but you don’t want colorful walls in the space. Gray can’t be beat for creating a serene and calm space. And, as you’ll see, it’s a terrific background for color.