We all know gray is an important color now….
but the question is which one. I added tumbled light gray squares
to my limestone kitchen floor years ago to add a little accent
and roughness to their buff colored satin smoothness.
I love gray. I wear gray. I want gray.
Almost three years ago we covered over the dark wood paneling in our
living room with a thin layer of sheetrock and plaster. This was to mollify
my husband’s concerns, and protect the wood if we wanted to go back to it.
It was thick, wide planked, un-knotted. So I couldn’t rip it out, didn’t want to
paint, bleach or sand it. We’re both thrilled with the consummate light that
fills the room now. Photo above from earlier Timeless in Provence here
I’ve eyed the almost 10 foot tall, built-in book cases on either side of one wall
for several years now. They are paint grade wood that has been stained
a “wood brown”. And I’m in the process of painting them gray…
So many grays…
Just picked up Coté Ouest and Coté Paris Dec/Jan ’10 issues
and they are flooded with grays…
With that now requisite touch of lavender or mauve…
I bought flat paint…for it’s chalkiness…
love the tremulous glow of Astier de Villate
emoting from the dark…and that gorgeous stone
curb that the glasses drain in…
What I’m conscious of now is the balance in the room
between an open beam wood ceiling that rises up to meet
the second floor, stone fireplace, several wood antiques that
I can’t just replace with painted French or Swedish …
Six photos above all from Coté Ouest
Grays mixing it up with sister neutrals…
from my Architectural Remnants post here
From left to right: Benjamin Moore “Storm”, C2 Paints “Pavement”, “Stomp”, “Carbon Dust”
I intend to paint the inside of the cabinets a darker gray…
I’m veering away from grays that are too plummy, or blue…
“Pavement” is a favorite so far….
Asli Tunca…a treasure trove of gray tones…
from earlier post Atelier in Istanbul
Aiden Gray photo
Masterful mix of neutral…
and strong pop of aged black graphics…
“An 18th century sculpted wooden Italian lantern is suspended
within an industrial mold made of wooden marquetry…”
The New Eighteenth Century Style
From my Strong and Silent post here
The photo on first flip through that caused me to buy the issue…
Liquid metal on French…
Coté Paris
Got a “go to” gray?
Please name it and describe it fondly to me…
always looking for a few good grays
*
Oh…and yes…loving all the lanterns, too
It is all about gray , but it is about the right gray. I specially like ” vert de gris ” that is to say grey with green in it …
Lady, I do love you. I get lost in your posts everytime. Thank you for such beauty. And for sharing your divine home. I am looking forward to your readers’ comments on their grays. I, too, an looking, you know!
just loooooove it. oh that door…and just fell in love with the combination oo the rough wood and even te hessian cushion with the most beautifull of all colors…
I do like the touch of yellow gold as well.
thank you for the inspiration! Col
Your home is so lovely…it’s hard to tell where your home photos end and others from publications begin! Coming to visit your blog is like taking a beautiful, relaxing, and inspiring vacation.
Stella xx
Pictures say a thousand words! You bought objects from many different places and settings and you created something new and beautiful. A magically place – to dream in , one that encourages beautiful thoughts of love and wonder and things that inspire one to live a better life.
Joanny
Thank you Stella and Joanny. A new project is such a leap of faith, and at my age, surprising sore muscles. Now that I’m in my 50’s I should probably not be climbing up the side of cabinets. And miles to go before I sleep! Merci!
Not sure just which grey she meant, but the other day Bunny Williams said at her talk at the SF Design Center that if the ceiling is too low, she paints it a grey lacquer, I’m sure a light grey…maybe she tells what color in her book…but I am thinking of doing my kitchen cabinets a grey, am looking at colors too…
your post is just lovely!! thanks
Kit
Kit! Thanks so much for the hot tip from Bunny Williams!
Trish,
I just painted a couple of rooms in my house Benjamin Moore’s Harbor Gray. In my dining room, the natural lighting turns it into a warm gray. In my den, which is darker, it has a blue cast. I love it for what it does in both spaces. Two years ago I told a friend I wouldn’t ever paint a room in my home gray. Ha! Why the heck did I think that? I am a enthusiastic GRAY DEVOTEE now. Never say never. 🙂
Hi Jenny C. Thank you! Was told C2’s Pavement was a warm gray. I definitely think warm gray is what I’m going for…will check out Harbor Gray.
Well, that settles it. I knew you had to look good in gray for gray to call to you. In gray I look embalmed. I celebrate your love for gray and recognize that is beautiful for you. The only gray I allow in my house is on my head!
What colors do you wear HBD?!!!! My sister can pull off orange…I always envied her for that. And red…wow…I wish. You’re witty and intellectual and warm, and you don’t look good in gray. Blues…brights? I won’t rest ’till I find out.
gorgeous as usual. we just did a new skirted roundtable on blogger jealousy. we mentioned you!! should be out in a few days. hehehe.
How exciting, Joni. I do love listening to you gals chat…puttering around my office, checking blogs and email while you wrestle with the design issue(s) of the week. Addictive!
Grey is so timeless…I remember, 6 years ago, I found an amazing desk — it was in the worst shape imaginable,
but I could see the potential. (you know the kind 🙂
I painted it a rich shade of warm grey — I would say a 70% grey with a bit of yellow for warmth and depth. Pratt
and Lambert’s “Old Silver” I believe…I just adore it! I also like Gettysburg, as another option. Anyways, I was so
happy with that little grey desk — I find that it works beautifully with so many colors, and helps to marry my love
of modern decor and authentic European decor. From then on, grey and I have been great friends…from my closet
to my decor to my graphic design work…
I can’t get over the 18th century sculpted wooden Italian lantern is suspended within an industrial mold!
You have such great posts, truly…
Hi Sarah…love the story and tips! That art piece mesmerizes me as well…pulled it forward from the back of my blog, had to savor it again. Sublime piece. Merci, Trish
Trish,
Every time I see that you have done a post, I can’t wait to see and read it!
I also love grey! It gives a nostalgic feeling to rooms!
Your home looks so charming, so beautiful! You have the perfect taste my dear!
xx
Greet
Nothing like it. I work with it all the time and whenever I change a piece of old furniture into something new with grey it always works. As they say grey is the new black.
Oh, my. I am in love.
Trish, I can commiserate so much with you when I hear you talk about your husband wanting to maintain wood as is, what is it about men and wood???We too have a room totally panelled in walnut,with wood beams and a gorgeous grey stone fireplace. My husband would not hear of me touching the panelling, or beams. Just a little tip when painting, I use a coat of gesso before I apply any paint to my projects, especially if it is furniture. It gives it that old look we love, especially if it is distressed or antiqued. If gesso gets too costly, I have also used drywall sealer for larger projects.It has that same chalky consistency.It is also good for use as a base coat before applying gold paint to chairs and any furniture with a lot of relief, like garlands etc. As far as grey goes, I am totally enamored with it currently!!! Your posts are keeping me very happy!!Nella
Great advice Nella. Thank you!
Hi, Trish. I guess great minds think alike! My post for today was on a company, I Vassallatti, that has some beautiful gray wood flooring options This led to the idea to include a link to a post I did back in Sept 09 called “The grays have it!” When I visited you today, lo and behold, there was a post on grays…including some pics that are really familiar to me because they are in my design file favs. Particularly, the pic of the lanterns on the stone – it jumped out at me because it’s like an old companion now. I’ve packed it around as a color reference for so long it was almost surprising to see it somewhere else. My first reaction was, “Hey! My picture!” 🙂
I just quickly scanned your comments, (so sorry if this is a repeat referral), but in your search for grays, have you been to Flamant’s paint website? http://www.flamantpaint.com/
All the best to you! ~LeAnn, l&l