Vision in Gray

When I was a teenager, my mom painted the walls in the living and dining rooms gray. It was something like this color ~ Stormy Gray from Benjamin Moore.....

It is actually a nice color but to a teenager, whose years are stormy anyway, I didn't need to be reminded daily. It was very tastefully done as my mom is a wonderful interior decorator. She paired the gray with lovely ivory upholstered furniture and wonderful art. Still, it was dark gray to me. I shied away from gray for years until recently. I designed a beautiful dining room, living room, and office (still a work in progress) with this color palette.....


Benjamin Moore: Cement Gray, Natural Wicker, White Chocolate, Wet Concrete

It is turning out swimmingly. The fabrics in the space marry the color palette. The cement gray was the hue I chose for the tray ceiling.

I am overcoming my avoidance of gray but I still have a bit of an aversion to putting it on walls. I am beginning to love it on furniture though in all shades and tints. The last High Point Market was alive with these hues so I was able to see them in all their splendor.

Take a look at the photo at the beginning of this post and the two below all compliments of Living, Etc.



The picture at the top has a very soft gray tint upholstery. The second one, a deep shade. The one just above is my favorite. A moderate gray boasting of elegance. I love that it is paired with warm gold pillows. Beautiful!

Its funny how certain times or events in one's life can leave an association ~ either positive or negative. In my gray case, on the negative side. I have learned two things from this gray recovery of mine ~ 1) gray is beautiful when used in a well designed room, 2) I will not be painting the walls gray when Lauren is an adolescent.

What are your thoughts on using gray? Do you have any color associations you'd like to share?