“In decorating circles, gray is the new white—and has been for a while. It’s a more elegant neutral that give depth to subtle colors and makes bold tones pop (rather than shout). But getting gray right is tricky: The ‘temperature’ of a particular shade—cool or warm – can evoke very different feelings and have an enormous impact on the mood of a room” (Nicole Sforza).
3 Expert Tricks 1. “Use flat paint, not semi-gloss or high-gloss on walls. Otherwise any beautiful gray you choose will look like industrial metal—imagine a dumpster. Although flat white wall paint is often avoided because it shows smudges and fingerprints, gray actually hides flaws” (Mark Chamberlain).
2. “With Gray walls opt for a creamy trim. Stark white can look too jarring” (Erica Islas).
3. “Introduce lots of light sources, like table lamps, sconces and floor lamps. Gray is already the color of shadow – you don’t want to cast more with an overhead fixture. Layering lighting keeps the room flattering” (Jessica Becker).
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GRAY + PALE BLUE: Soft – Calm – Upscale
“These close tones make a natural combination that’s perfect for the color shy. Together they feel subdued and sophisticated” (Sally Steponkus).
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GRAY + RED: Powerful – Bold – Rich
“Light gray and red can create a variety of moods. Darker gray and red is a strong, somewhat heavy combination with a solid masculine feel” (Nan Kornfeld).
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GRAY + YELLOW: Fresh – Crisp – Lively
“Saturated yellows can look intensely modern, especially with darker grays. Pale gray and pale yellow together can feel opulent and refined” (Nan Kornfeld).
(Source: REAL SIMPLE: guide HOME – October 2010; Photos: Jose Picayo)
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