Grey is gaining popularity as the new neutral in home decor. From paint colours to textiles, grey is fast becoming a mainstay.
I used a shade of grey in our new bathroom that has a soft mauve undertone. It's very contemporary and more interesting than builder's beige. My favourite settee is in a grey canvas-styled upholstery, which also has a slight purple undertone.
The wooden details on the settee are in a rustic grey tone rather than the traditional brown. It's a shabby chic piece that is timeless and co-ordinates with our more contemporary pieces and traditional antiques. The neutrality of grey makes it very versatile.
"Grey is a major home decor trend that shows no sign of slowing down," says Benjamin Moore expert Sharon Grech. They offer 150 shades of grey in their collection.
"Warm or cool, light or dark, it can be used to create a variety of moods. Try pairing gray with pink for a soft, feminine feel, or navy to create a tailored and modern style."
Grech swoons for Metropolis CC-546: "It's a deep and versatile grey. (It's) warm enough to blend with rustic design elements such as wood or linen, but also makes a powerful backdrop when accented with modern glass and steel."
Grey textiles can be a great option over the expected brown or black. Whether you choose medium-grey upholstery for a sofa or chair or opt for floor-length, charcoal linen drapes, a base of grey in fabric and carpeting can set the tone for an elegant space.
Grey can be paired with unexpected colours such as citrus yellow, orange, purple, hot pink and white or black. Work within the colour temperature of your chosen shade of grey, either cool or warm, for consistency. Ask for help at the paint store if you're having trouble with this one.
Opt for contrast over matching greys for visual depth and dimension. Pattern can help add interest as well. Consider tone-on-tone wallpaper in shades of grey or fabric with wide stripes for draperies or accent chairs.
The shade of grey in our feature photo is Benjamin Moore's Silver Fox. In this example I feel that the wall colour creates a fresh take on a traditional decor. The grey wall colour gives a contemporary feel to the ornate details in this particular vignette. This is a chic, modern take on what could have been a dated decor if more traditional colours had been used. This is not your grandma's parlour.
Use flat or eggshell finish when buying grey paint. A gloss or semi-gloss finish will make the grey look industrial, somewhat like concrete, which is not a good look unless you're painting a concrete floor. Use a warm white for trim and doors (not stark white). This will keep the space feeling warm. Grey can suck up light, so be sure to include additional accent lighting, especially when choosing a darker grey.
Don't forget about the ceiling. A light to medium tone of grey can be dazzling in a room with a cove or tray ceiling. A light grey is another option on a standard ceiling versus a plain white ceiling. A tinted ceiling can bring visual warmth to a room.
Inspiration for finding the right grey for your space can come in many forms. Think of the shades of grey found in stones, which can range from almost black to heather grey or the textured grey of weathered barn board. A tweed jacket or herringbone design can also be great inspiration for a room through their colour, texture and pattern.
Something such as this could be a jumping off point for fabrics. Nubby toss cushions in solid charcoal with a couple of herringbone pattern cushions for added dimension could look stunning on a tailored grey sofa, for instance. Grey flannel evokes feelings of warmth and comfort and could be the making of a great master bedroom when paired with soft pink. The possibilities are numerous and exciting. Consider shades in the grey spectrum as your new neutral. It will open up new possibilities.
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