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What undertones in these 3 Benjamin Moore Gray Paints?

7 years ago

I know there are many posts around finding the perfect gray for your space, but we just cannot pick the ideal gray for our space. We have painted 9 samples on a few of our walls and have picked 3 finalists (all Benjamin Moore) - Coventry Gray, Harbor Gray and Pebble Beach. This decision is a pretty big deal because we will be painting most of our home interior with it. We have a two story entry foyer that gets decent natural light but the other areas where we will use the same color (family room, formal dining, formal living, and downstairs/upstairs hallways) don't get much natural light at all. What undertones should we consider when choosing between these 3 grays? Any advice is appreciated!

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PRO

Debra Rigby Design

7 years ago

Before you pick any colour you need to determine what the undertones are in the

permananent items in the home. Flooring whether its wood or tile, cabinets, countertops and existing trim colour. You need to determine these so you can then determine the best undertone whether it is in fact in the gray range (and there are 4 different gray undertones), maybe its in the beige undertones (5 there) or whether its

in the greige area. Only by determining this first can you select and compare the

best colours to select from. As well you will need to determine whether you are dealing with clean or dirty colours. Once you find the right undertone you can then decide lighter or darker.

I am a certified colour expert and here if you need help.

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Comments (12)

Reemanu
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks for the insight Debra. We have would flooring and a pretty empty slate. At first I was leaning toward greige, but quickly discovered I'm more drawn to cool, crisp grays that make a space feel "cleaner" to me. Our sectional is a charcoal color with perhaps a blueish undertone if anything. We are going to go with a true white trim and a darker stain on our wood flooring. I have pops of white in our family room too. What do you mean by clean or dirty colors?
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PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
7 years ago
Your three paints lean to blue. IMO they are all too blue.

These images below are from a home with Ashley Gray. I think this is an easier color to work with long term.
Reemanu thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
PRO
JudyG Designs
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
You have not mentioned the direction of natural light. Gray can hold its own when the light is right. The first two grays..okay for your natural light.

For instance:

South light:
North light:
West light:
East light:
West and East exposure....no gray.
Reemanu thanked JudyG Designs
Reemanu
Original Author
7 years ago
Family room has barely any natural light but what we do get is coming in from East.
PRO
JudyG Designs
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Then try a gray with green undertones.

BM gray wisp
Reemanu thanked JudyG Designs
PRO
AmédéeStyle
7 years ago
A favorite of mine, which is a tough color balance to find- pale gray with a touch of seafoam. This is a beautiful color- Valspar Sanibel Gray

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/en/color/101367_Valspar-SR110-Sanibel-Gray
Jenn A
7 years ago
Can someone please explain the light exposure impact on selecting gray? I have extreme (!) morning sunlight all through LR and KIT, and will be installing pale ash-blonde wide-plank oak flooring (not "yellow" toned oak). Really want to choose a gray that will work with pops of navy, aqua, and lemongrass yellow decor accents. Was thinking of SW's Repose Gray or Alpaca. Thoughts?? Thank you!
Mary Elizabeth
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I have these 2 articles bookmarked and refer to them often. I still make mistakes with my paint colors, but I least I don't think I'm losing my mind!

http://www.thekeystocolor.com/why-color-often-goes-awry/

http://www.housepaintingtutorials.com/interior-wall-paint-colors.html

That being said, Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Grey has worked for me every time. I have had dozens of compliments about how great it looks. Our floors are natural maple.
shiningautumn8
7 years ago
When I picture a blue sofa, dark oak floors and tru le white trim, I picture a warm ivory or light warm greige (though prefer ivory). I dont like gray with blue too much. Too much cool. Have you considered Classic Gray by BM?

You can analyze and color theorize all you want about undertones and clean amd dirry but ultimately you just dont know how a color will look till you do a large area in it. Go with your gut, buy a gallon, paint 1 wall, live with it a few days, and assess.

Another good option since this is going in so many areas is get a consult with am interior designer to help you pick. Yiu really have to see a space in person to truly advise (no matter how much specializing or theorizing one throws at you thru a monitor). Good luck!
Mary Elizabeth
7 years ago
I was responding just to the specific question from Jenn A - sorry for any confusion.
divecaribbean
6 years ago
I realize this is an old post, but here goes...

**********************************************

(Google cut and paste):

North-facing rooms: Light in these rooms is cool and bluish. Bolder colors show up better than muted colors; lighter colors will look subdued. “Use strong colors and embrace what nature has given.

South-facing rooms: Lots of high-in-the-sky light brings out the best in cool and warm colors. Dark colors will look brighter; lighter colors will virtually glow.

East-facing rooms: East light is warm and yellowy before noon, then turns bluer later in the day. These are great rooms for reds, oranges and yellows.

West-facing rooms: Evening light in these rooms is beautiful and warm, while scant morning light can produce shadows and make colors look dull.

*****************************************

My comment is in response to JudyG designs, as I'm trying to understand your logic.

-So we choose a green undertone in an east facing room to counteract the blue? Otherwise if we choose a blue undertone it will appear too icy?

I have a north facing bedroom, cathedral ceiling with goldish knotty pine boards...which direction do I go with my wall color? I couldn't decide between a blue undertone or green but I was considering the following colors:

SW Topsail (blue undertone?)

BM Balboa Mist (griege)

Arctic Gray, Horizon, Silver Marlin (too dark/muddied?), Titanium (too light?), Shoreline, Classic Gray (too light?)

I'm going for clean fresh colors and cool colors might work well with all the warm knotty pine in our home?

Or do I go the other direction and choose warmer colors like Maritime White, French Canvas, etc.? I'm in Wisconsin where we have cold dreary winters.

I painted my north facing master in my last home with BM Af "Slip" and the ceiling was Cotton Balls and WOW, what a transformation, it felt so airy and fresh. I tried Revere Pewter in a NW facing room and BLEH I hated it (in my space it didn't work), so I think I prefer clean colors vs. dirty.

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