Saturday, January 9, 2010

Dorian GRAY

I'm considering painting the walls in the main part of the house gray. Not blue-gray, not purple-grey, not green-gray but real gray, with white ceilings (right now the whole house is a beige- walls, ceiling, moldings- everything. BOR-ING!)


Probably lighter than these I'm holding. I was thinking I want a neutral so that I can have bright colored furniture in the house without it clashing with bright walls, but gray is a really interesting neutral (not white, cream, beige).

So, what do you guys think?

I'm not totally sure yet & I know there will be some "gray naysayers" out there but I think I might just try it oout.

P.S. A great article about finding the perfect gray here.

19 comments:

monica said...

gray! no brainer.

Tara said...

Gray is super popular, I would vote for it. My only advice would be to go a hair lighter than you really 'want' because when it is on the walls and reflects off of each other, it suddenly is a whole lot darker. That is at least how my green went in my office and I was so glad I had listened to that piece of advice. Can't wait to see pictures.

And I'm with you on the pink christmas tree!! But maybe can you find a little one for cheap and put it in Syd's room or something? :)

Natalie said...

OOOh LOVE this!! I think gray is such a great idea. almost anything goes with gray and it makes bright colors just POP!! go with it!!

Katie said...

I love it too....anytime I paint I DO try to go with the rule that you pick the shade you love and then buy the shade one or two lighter, and it will be exactly what you want when it is on the wall.

Lyric said...

My first place had a light gray and it looked great. Didn't clash with anything I had and wasn't a boring white like most apts. Good choice.

Olivia Carter said...

Monica- Oh good, I really trust your opinion when it comes to style so if you like it I feel good about it.

Tara- Oh good! I was sure everyone would be like, gray? But then I started searching & say a lot of gray stuff & I think I do like the little pink tree idea. Trendy but not replace the good ol' family tree.

Bills Fam- Definitely want those colors to go pop! Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Katie- Thank you for the shade or two lighter advice. I would have never known that!

Lyric- Yeah! I wanted to hear from someone who did have a gray house. Woot!

Amber said...

I like grey... I think its a good neutral as well. Cant wait tosee what you do with the new place... I always love all your interesting choices.

émilie b said...

I painted the basement grey. I didn't go for the lighter shade, because I like deep colours, and I really like how classy it looks.

My only warning would be about the tint: I also wanted a very grey-grey (not tinted), so I picked a grey that had NO colour in it, but it still came out looking a little purple, in my eye. (Yeah, I'm picky like that. And I have brownish flooring, so maybe that plays a part. Consider your flooring!) I still love it, but if I chose it again, I'd go for a *hint* of green, just so it doesn't look purplish. Although, since you are using it in a room that probably gets more light than my basement, maybe you wouldn't get the purple glow.

Here's the post I did about the basement:
Link
(PS. The basement has changed since then: there's now a big playroom in the middle of it! But the colour is still around.)

Esther Noelle said...

I know it'll look awesome and can't wait to see you do it!

Olivia Carter said...

Amber- I hope it turns out well. It's a tad risky but nothing too bold (boldness is for the bedrooms!)

Emilie- I LOVE YOUR BASEMENT. You are right, the gray looks very classy. That's what I want too. I'll take your gray-gray advice to heart. THANKS!

Esther- I know! Need to get this paining party started!

Jessica said...

Go gray! We did it in our living room and I love, love, love it. Our is a bit of a bluish gray, but I was happy with that to balance a lot of red in our wall art and our yellow rug.

Olivia Carter said...

Jessica- Yes! Someone else who has gray in their house! Thank you for confirming the greatness of gray. I can't wait to get to painting!

Anonymous said...

I love the gray and better yet I love the pics you posted. The accents of yellow with the gray are soooo you Liv! I say do it. Isnt decorating a new house fun!!??!!

Cindy said...

I'm sure it will look fabulous! How exciting to paint your walls... and decorate!!

Olivia Carter said...

Krysynt- I know! I love the yellow & gray! Totally me! It is fun- stressful, a lot of work, expensive- but a blast. We'll have to have you guys over for dinner sometime! Or better yet to help us paint!

Cindy- It is TOTALLY exciting! I can't wait!

Dad said...

Gray is the best. It will look wonderful. You need to be careful of two things: first, it looks lighter on the paint chip than it does on the wall; second, there are lots of grays, so test the chips against your furniture.

April Carter said...

Your dad is right. Get small paint samples to paint on the wall . With some nice crown molding up against it and your lighter flooring...nice.

Cranberryfries said...

I never would have thought it but seeing those pictures, I can totally see it working with your vision! How fun!

Olivia Carter said...

April- I agree! I'm excited!

Debbie- I know, I didn't even think I liked gray until I went through home decor pics & saw that I had a lot of gray walls. Weird huh?