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Don’t you just hate it when you create the perfect wall color… but it’s on the wrong wall!?
I used several shades of gray in my husband’s dressing nook off the master bedroom. The
effect was perfect, lots of movement and blooms of lighter shades against dark…but hard to
appreciate in a dark corner. So I need to transfer the look around that corner on the left,
and then go darker in the dressing area. Of course, using the same paints won’t work,
because the lighting is so different. But after months of being on the fence I’ve marked
up the bedroom walls with shades of gray and there’s no turning back!
We have had two oak trees fall on our property this year, and
have done preventative work to minimize any further property
damage..I have alot more light coming into the room and
can play with darker tones…
The room has both gold and silver elements in the room…
So everything’s coming off the walls…
Bed pulled into the middle of the room…
In a vortex of paint chips…
If I’m not back soon…send help….
The linens and drapery were all so lovely and romantic. I’m not a grey person but it does all look so fine.
I just found out what you’re painting….lol (see email). I love gray too and on a search for a perfect gray without green or purple undertone so if you find it let me know. Beautiful pictures as always, love seeing what you’re doing with your home…thank you!
Hi AO…I’ve already had my first purple undertone “incident”. Argh. Will try to throw paint chip breadcrumbs so I can find my way back and show what colors I used.
All of the images are provocative, but the one with the shell framed mirror is the most compelling- love the reflection with the iridescent shells against the gray background. Have fun choosing!
Trish,
I love the gray in the first frame…what color is that? Be sure to give us paint colors once you make a choice—gray is tricky!
Hi Karen. I custom mixed that…used several grays and even creams I had on hand. It’s a very inconspicuous room so I wasn’t as worried about what I was doing…the trick to getting the best result. As soon as I can match it in the bedroom I will give you guys my “recipe”.
You have been a very busy girl. Can’t wait to see the results. Love the texture of the lace.
Got to do something creative while the garden is “sleeping”!! I know you’re not a gray person, HBD…but I wear it all the time, sleep in it, love it in the garden…the last frontier was my walls! Will keep the kitchen a tasty creme anglaise!
Such gorgeous arrangements of textiles!
For gray, I love “sweet innocence” by Ben Moore. (2125-50) It’s a clear gray without a heavy “gun metal” tone. Looks wonderful with brown, gold, cream, white and other neutral shades. I don’t think it’s got a purplish tint, but that so much depends on the light and color of furnishings, drapes, etc.
Hi Jean…thanks! I will check it out.
Unless you have searched and experimented for the “perfect gray” it is hard to imagine what a journey that “perfect gray” can be. But it is definitely worth all of the trials and errors. Thanks for this great post–love all of the elements of your bedroom.
I just ordered several Sydney Harbour limewash paints to achieve just the right color. Used them for a kitchen fireplace here but will probably go a little lighter…
I’ll throw in a suggestion. Have you checked out Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paints?
http://www.ellenkennon.com/fspmain.htm
We used her exclusively in our home. There is no smell what so ever and I love the way the colors change depending on lighting.
Whatever you decide, can’t wait to see the final effect.
Cheers!
J.
Hi J…read up on them a little…sounds very interesting…will have to track them down!
Trish, these are such lovely photographs. You’re a marvel!
All the photos are so inspiring but the shells mirror is to die for
I am in love with everything! This is my dream to have the
Whisper linens and grey walls. So very beautiful!
Thank you for sharing!
Jane
Flora Doora
You know, when I stay away from you blog for a day or two, I am blown away when I return. It is just beautiful. Thank you. Barbara
Absolutely STUNNING images and once again very inspiring. I love the grey color in the first photograph, but you know, when it is done.. whichever you decide on, will have your approval so that makes it perfect of course! Colette x
Hi Trish,
You take the prettiest photos. What type of camera do you use? Do you have any suggestions? I have a small digital camera, but I think I need a new one.
Trish,
Your blog is absolutely beautiful! Please send updates on your gray room. I recently painted our living spaces Feather Gray, by Pratt and Lambert via Sherwin Williams and Dover White, Sherwin Williams and we all love it. The combination makes it soothing and sophisticated. However, I wish I had your beautiful fabrics to go along with it. Whichever you choose, it will come out beautiful!
Laurie’
Hi Laurie…thank you! Well…on Joni’s ((Cote de Texas) recommendation a few months ago I went out and bought a quart of Feather Gray to try out in the dressing area. It ended up being too taupy. I mixied it 1/2 and 1/2 with Benjamin Moore’s White Heron (OC-57). Still wrong…but worked perfectly in the main floor bathroom. I hate wasting paint!
Oh, Trish, do let us know what you decide…these images are beautiful…..
Trish,
I just painted my bedroom SW Ellie Gray. I did the same as you by painting several different shades of gray on the wall. I did not want a blue gray but more of a black gray. I really like it, hope you find what is just right for you!
xx
Trish, this is truly a lovely post. I love the colors of the linens, walls and then the touch of gilt that resembles bronze.It will be lovely I know, it has a wonderful old world, rich feel to it all. You are good, very good!! My reno is on hold for reasons, I will need to tell you about at some other time, so I, like you, throw myself into the garden.Thank goodness I have that. Nella
Hi Trish,
Your pictures are so beautiful… the lace.. the gray….the crystals… everything. I’m sure it’s going to look fabulous. Can’t wait to see pictures.
By the way, the grain sack arrived today and it’s so pretty… I LOVE it! Thank you for the recommendation. I am taking it tomorrow to have it framed. Will post pictures as soon as it’s done.
Merci
I love gray! Can’t wait to see the final finish.
Hi Trish!
We lost a huge oak tree too..the new light changes everything! Gorgeous photos, have fun! What paint company do you use?
xx
Kit
Hi Kit. I like C2 paints, and a limewash paint from Australia (Sydney Harbour…link a few comments up). Trying Joni’s “Feather Gray” (Pratt and Lambert via Sherwin Williams) which is a very taupy gray…mixed with a lighter gray (Benjamin Moore’s “White Heron”) while waiting for the limewash paints to come in later this week…looking awfully good.
just gorgeous. that lace is so beautiful.
Hi Trish,
you are so right about grey……it should be used much more. I find grey having a quality of bringing things together in interior design, in a positive direction.
I often use a very tiny spoon pigment of burnt umber in my white paint to get a warmer shade, just a little to maintain the white impression but enough to ease the sharpness.
Here in Sweden white works well in the winter, when we have little daylight.
In the summer it’s really the opposite and to much white can blend one’s eyes.
Thanks for a nice post,
Ingela
Beautiful shots Trish….I am sure the paint work will be beautiful when finished…xv
Picking the prefect paint color can be quite the task and it never ceases to amaze me how many colors you can go thru before finding the perfect one! I recently went thu this while trying to find the perfect grey for our den so you have my total sympathy! LOL…Can’t wait to see the room finished!!!!!
~Des
Trish, you did it! I’m so glad you started that project. I loved it all put together and grey is such a great color. Have fun experimenting. Don’t forget to try Restoration’s grey that’s on their walls. See you soon. Mary
Hi Mary! I’m just going to slowly go darker…gray tones are definitely improvement over yellowy cream.
I have to admit that gray is not my favorite color when considering interior design, but your drapery and linens look pretty good. Even the sea shells on the mirror are lovely.