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Why You Should Have A Gray Room
I’ll admit it. It took me a long time to warm up to gray.
At first I couldn’t get passed associating gray with dreary days and overall gloominess. I’d seen gray spaces that I really liked, and I’ve even written about gorgeous gray rooms — but I convinced myself that gray would not work in my home because it wouldn’t vibe with my warm-autumn palette. But as I write this post, I’ve just bought a gallon of gray paint {Pussywillow by Sherwin-Williams} to paint my dining room.
{Niki Papadopoulos via houzz}
Gray has shaken off its bad rep for being drab, and it now represents glamour and sophistication. Gray is truly the “It” neutral of the moment and it will definitely remain a hot hue in the near future.
Gray’s wild popularity has most likely been fueled by our technology-driven society {think sleek laptops}. In its other forms, gray appears as chrome, stainless steel and white gold — materials that represent a chic modern lifestyle.
Gray is definitely on trend, but that’s not why I embraced it. The more I saw gray rooms, the more I liked what I saw, and I began to notice a warmth in some of the tones. I started to really analyze this color and was struck by its many unique variations.
Not every gray works for every space. With it’s myriad of undertones, gray can look blue, green, purple, pinkish or brown. So, choosing the right gray can be tricky. The key is to compare a few different tones and then select the one that will best work with your furnishings and colors without it being too dominant. That’s because gray represents a strong emotion {i.e ‘feeling gray’ and ‘gray skies ahead’} so it’s important that your choice of gray doesn’t overwhelm the space.
For example, in my home warmer grays will work best because their toasty undertones will complement the rich, wood furniture that I have.
The other great thing about using gray for a neutral backdrop is that it looks good with every other color on earth. The same is not always true with beige. For example, certain shades of yellow and beige combined can look like something gross. On the other hand, put any type of yellow with gray and the result is stunning:
{I also love gray with red. Photo from decorpad}
There is definitely a gray for everyone and every style. I’ve heard from some of you who live in rainy/cloudy climates {like Seattle} who say you would never consider a gray room, but this color can work for you, too. Just look for the lighter tints and embellish the room with vibrant accent colors. You’ll be surprised.
These days when it comes to color, using gray is the best way to update your home and give it a current look right now and for years to come. That’s why you {and I} should have a gray room.
Accent Colors For Gray Bedrooms
Not only is gray a hot neutral, it’s also a terrific color for the bedroom — especially when it’s paired with vibrant accent colors.
Gray is a serene and tranquil hue — perfect for relaxation — but too much of it can look drab. The good news is, you can add just about any other color to gray and it will instantly liven up a bedroom, which may be just what you need when that alarm clock goes off in the morning!
Pops of Pink
Refreshing Turquoise
Energizing Orange
Regal Violet
Cheerful Yellow
{decorpad}
Luscious Cranberry
{fixtureworld}
Rusty Red
Colors To Watch In 2011 – Part 2
You may already know that I’m ‘forecasting’ four hot colors to watch this year. In my last post, I featured the first two:
I heard from many of you saying that you love the Wasabi Green, so perhaps I’m on to something! In this post, I was supposed to reveal my final two picks….but in an effort to create a wave of total suspense, I’ve decided to go with just the third pick:
{mochihome}
No smoke and mirrors here! Gray has really grown in popularity with designers and homeowners. This color has been seen everywhere in interiors and fashion — replacing beige to become the new neutral.
It has been speculated that Gray’s popularity stems directly from the rise of technology — think chrome laptops and industrial, hi-tech office spaces.
{picsdecor}
We’re also using Gray to capture the silver tones in stainless steel appliances, nickel fixtures and even the white gold in jewelry. However, the Gray that I’m featuring here is a deep, slate color which is very cozy and chic.
{family circle}
{hamptons}
These stylish spaces show that we are indeed Going Gray. Be sure to check back for the next ‘Colors To Watch In 2011′ post to see my final pick! In the meantime, here’s a hint: Where there’s smoke….
CLICK HERE to see ‘Colors To Watch In 2011 – Part 1.
Glam Girls Bedrooms
Teen girls love bright colors but maybe your daughter likes cooler, more subtle hues. If so, create a glam bedroom for her using colors such as gray, black and silvery shades of blue and green.
Since many teen girls are into the ‘look of glamour,’ I’ve included this inspiration board {below} that includes elegant furnishings and super serene colors: black, silver-gray and purple.
A subtle color scheme can really set the tone for a peaceful bedroom — which isn’t a bad idea for teens. Between school, friends, technology and extracurricular activities, even our children can get a little frazzled. So, here are some of my favorite paint picks from Sherwin-Williams:
{Celestial, Mystical Shade, Ash Violet, Daydream, Vesper Violet, Quietude}
photos from decorpad
Inspiration Board photos from: girlsthemebedrooms.com, lampsplus.com, lampselect.com, blisslivinghome.com, smartfurniture.com.
Lavender And Gray
JUST A QUICK NOTE: A huge THANK YOU to everyone who voted for my ‘Lilac, Aqua & Brown Home Office’ in Apartment Therapy’s Room For Color Contest 2009…
NOW ON TO THE FEATURED POST:
The sophisticated color combination of lavender and gray is a hot color scheme right now. These colors have been spotted together a lot in home interiors this year, as well as in the fashion world.
Although lavender has consistently been a favorite hue, gray is quickly becoming a trend color. This is undoubtedly due to the rise of information and computer technology, which is an industry that is typically associated with the color gray.
Trends and technology aside, if you’re looking for a cool contemporary space that will help you wind down and relax, lavender and gray is the way…and in today’s fast-paced society, I think we’ll be seeing these colors together for quite a while.
Click on each photo to see credit/link.
Red and Gray Bedroom
I’m loving this glam bedroom, and here’s why red and gray is such a perfect color scheme for your master bedroom:
The juxtaposition of red and gray create an energetic yet serene effect. It’s an elegant color balance that promotes what I call “RR & R” – the idea that our bedroom should help us rejuvenate upon waking up, and help us relax at the end of a long day. And if you’re married, your bedroom should encourage romance!
Red is a stimulating hue that can help us feel energetic and motivated when it’s time to get out of bed and get going. It’s benefits are two-fold because red is also the color of passion and romance. Who wouldn’t want that in their bedroom?
On the other hand, gray is a calming, neutral color that helps to keep red in check. Gray is becoming very popular these days, but I think it looks best when paired with a dramatic color because used alone, it can make a room appear drab.
In this bedroom {or any bedroom}, gray adds a tranquility that’s perfect for when you want to wind down. Gray introduces a modern feel that is also wonderfully subtle and gentle.
The key to a red and gray bedroom is using the right amount of each color. In this bedroom, I love how a light gray tint is used as the dominant color. Red, which can be overpowering in large doses, is used as the accent. But what also adds interest to this space is the variation of these two colors: dark gray trim, a metallic silver bed and accessories. Likewise for red — that gorgeous dresser is accented in fuchsia, as are some of the other accessories.
I believe that our bedroom should be the first room in our home that we decorate. However, all to often it’s the last place that gets our attention. Just remember that this is the first place we see in the morning and the last place we see at night. With our busy schedules, rest and romance is at a premium. So how can you get more of both? A red and gray bedroom could very well be a great start!
All photos from lovehome
Final Four Inspired Room
Can this NCAA Final Four logo be turned into a room?
Yes indeed! Remember my Super Bowl XLIII Logo inspired room? Well, my husband challenged me to take another shot {no pun intended} using this year’s NCAA logo. So, once again using an on-line painting tool, here’s what I came up with.
I created two different scenarios using gray and periwinkle-blue as the dominant wall color. I really couldn’t decide which one I liked better, so I posted them both. The gray walls definitely provide a more contemporary, urban feel. However in this dining room, which has little fabric but very hard lines, the blue walls soften the entire look of the space. Which room do you like best?
Colors are from Sherwin-Williams: Web Gray, Domino, Venture Violet, Valiant Violet, Dazzle, Frank Blue
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