Dark gray walls with white accents remind me of this chill and stormy season.
When it comes to wall color, dark gray walls go against my instinct for wall color that reflects — rather than absorbs — natural light. That usually means colors with light to medium values. Lately, though, as I’ve focused on gray in the kitchen, perhaps as a prelude to repainting mine, and I started looking at how gray is used in other rooms, some of which feel as dark as storm clouds.
There are myriad descriptive names for gray walls. Apart from the generalized Gustavian gray (which varies from pale to dark) or pearl gray, Benjamin Moore offers Stormy Sky, Bullock Gray, Kendall Charcoal and Trout Gray to name a few that, in my monitor. Those looked close to the handsome winter-white-and gray hue [top and below] by Atlanta designer Amy D. Morris. The picture clearly shows that the space isn’t enormous. So taking the walls dark creates the aura of coziness that’s oh-so-dramatic against the contrasting mass of white in the curtains, upholstered furniture and carpet. Silver-framed botanical prints play a supporting role in breaking up the wall color.
Another view exposes the differences in gray that relate to undertones, at least in my monitor. For me, the walls appear to have more of a taupe and green undertone than the ottoman fabric, though they blend. Does it look that way to you too?
While the walls of my former apartment bath were painted with Farrow & Ball’s Lamp Room Gray, they don’t seem quite as dark. But they are dark enough to work the contrast with the ’60s white tile and vintage pedestal sink.
A room with similar dark sophistication also has white ceiling, floor and upholstery, which provides the required contrast. But the twist is the use of shamrock green draperies — an accent color that screams. I so admire the luxe way designer Kay Douglass’ silk curtain panels break on the floor and all their custom-ness. But that’s truly eclipsed by how that green on those curtains seem to pull this otherwise wintery room right into the month of March.
(Source: Amy D. Morris, Veranda)
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These are such elegant rooms… Just gorgeous. But since much of our year is gray and coldish out my windows, I don’t think I could go that dark. I can see, though, that the white furniture helps a lot, which would never work around here! It’d have to be plastic-covered, which would slightly decrease the elegance! 😉
Don’t worry, I’d rather have dingy than plastic-coated!
I think maybe the ottoman appears to be a different color because of the different lighting it gets out in the open, and maybe because the fabric reflects light and color differently than the walls? But it sure does look different in the photo.. Almost purply compared to the walls in which I see that greenish hint you mentioned.
Absolutely gorgeous colours, I have never considered grey as such a dramatic colour to use as decor. But when you see it here in the photos it takes on many hues and shades. The grey brings an understated elegance to all of these rooms that you feature.
I especially like the brightness of the green curtains and shows that a rich grey colour would contrast wonderfully with any bright colours. Thanks for sharing.
I couldn’t get by with so much white furniture unless it was slipcovered. I need something I can wash. But I grew up in So Cal and never saw anything but white rugs until I was in my 20s. I think that’s why I still like light floors. In Scandinavia they bleach/ceruse the wood floors so they reflect light. I really prefer light floors.
As always, it seems latitude is such a huge component of style. One reason I went with so many of the colors I’ve used (especially the yellow) is that our woods and light looked like photos of Scandinavia. Of course, over there, its dark until 9 or 10 a.m. during the Winter. Suppose it cuts both ways.
The medium gray is far more dramatic than I’d have expected.