apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I've used Wolf's Run from True Value, and it's a beautiful cool grey that changes with the light. I love it:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualingual/2344819542/in/set-72157594505190197/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualingual/2294835186/in/set-72157594505190197/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/visualingual/2248720783/in/set-72157594505190197/

Don't trust the photos, though. Grey is such a subtle, complex color that you really should try it out to see if it works in your space and the light you have.

Absolutely--a cool, slightly buish grey will work. You should check out the greys at Fine Paints of Europe, which are much more richly hued than cheaper paints. Although they come across as dull and steely in this color swatch, the Grey Mist and the darker Silverblade each have wonderful blue untertones:

http://www.finepaintsofeurope.com/classic_european.aspx

I have Silverblade in my bedroom, and it's wonderful.

Apologies--I have Winter Sky in my bedroom. And I'm with visualingual--you have to try them out on your wall. There are a thousand bad greys.

My favorite color combo! I used Bunny Grey from Benjamin Moore in my bedroom, and it looks gorgeous (If I do say so...) with the white headboard and yellow duvet. It's a little lighter than the inspiration photo above, and has just enough blue to make the grey airy instead of dingy. I'll post a pic to flickr & link it this afternoon.

I used bunny grey by benjamin moore in my kitchen nook. I love it but fyi in direct light it looks ice blue.

Here is a picture of it...

http://flickr.com/photos/70931082@N00/2336386530/

I particularly love First Snowfall from Benjamin Moore. I live in a garden apartment with decent windows but little direct light so I had to be really careful about grays that would vibe dour cave. The color is the perfect shade of dusty light blue-grey, without being at all pastel-y. Quite airy and sophisticated and goes beautifully with yellow. Love the outcome.

Just painted my spare bedroom "BoothBay Grey" from the Benjamin Moore Historical Colour line. I think it looks great. Very similar to the photo above. But definitely more grey than in the photo from lisanhough.

The wall color is beautiful, as is the bed fame....any idea where can find that or something similar (and hopefully cheaper)?

you guys are the best!!

thanks so much, I'm hoping to spring for a couple 'a cans this weekend....

i'll let you know what i go with!

I like a lot of the Ralph Lauren Urban Loft colors:

http://www.ralphlaurenhome.com/rlhome/products/paint/items.asp?haid=120

I painted my wall with RL "Stone," and it looks great--a nice pale gray that works well with my cream colored sofa.

petie: Winter Sky looks to be EXACTLY what I'm looking for!

lisa: the Bunny Grey does look a little too icy for what i'm going for-- i really appreciate you posting those photos-- super helpful!

visual: thanks for the photos! they look a little purple-ish in my monitor, but like you said, ya can't trust the photos :)

coach: BoothBay looks good! i love Ben Moore because they sell the little sample pots of paint!

thanks again-- check www.mylittleapartment.blogspot.com for updates :)

My entire apartment is painted various shades of grey. My living room is a great Ralph Lauren Shade called Forde Abbey. I was inspired when I saw a room in Domino painted this exact color. My bathroom is also this same color. I love it because in the daytime when it's sunny it reflects the light very well and makes the room seem bright. In the evening against the artificial light the walls and the room look very warm. You can see it here:

http://www.dominomag.com/galleries/paint/slideshow_paintpalette?slide=18#slide

My hallway is a custom gray that my painter created by mixing black into the Forde Abbey. Its about two shades darker and makes a nice transition from the living room to the rest of my apt. My bedroom is another lovely Ralph Lauren grey called Cool Grey. It's a very subtle grey and creates a very soothing and tranquil atmosphere in the room. I always go to sleep and wake up feeling peaceful and serene. Even though I have this color in my bedroom I;m sure it work nicely in a living room as well. I love it!

Hope this helps!
http://www.sohaute.typepad.com/

May I ask where that blue rug is from? I love it!

the rug is from: http://www.aspencarpetdesigns.com/Beachhouse_6x9.htm

i labored over the paint i chose for my living room- i finally picked "the edge of night" by dutch boy. it is a light cool gray with a hint of blue.

I used a Ben Moore color called Winter Solstice. Completely neutral gray color. On the paint chip the color looks a bit pale. However on the walls it came out a very nice midtone gray. I have paired with yellows as well. It really helps to had warmer elements when using the grays: woods, fabrics and accessories.

I think tinting it too one shade could be risky unless you were intentional with it.

We did our entire downstairs in Benjamin Moore Aura Thunder. We get a lot of light and the color is a neutral, soft gray. We also did another room in Wish (also Aura). It's lighter but is a bit more greige. Love the Aura paint!

I have to agree with minty03 - the Aura paints are amazing!

http://www.myaurapaint.com/#affinity_colors

I'm working on a space right now, and she likes her grey to have a bit of a blue undertone. I like 'cinder' and 'secret'... My favorite 'warm' grey though is the 'Weimeriner' - who doesn't love the coat on those dogs? In some lights it looks a bit khaki, in others the grey tones come out more.

I've been staring at grey swatches for my kitchen and it's driving me nuts. There are so many subtleties of each shade, I really recommend painting a big swatch on your wall before you take the plunge. I painted a whole wall Forde Abbey after LOVING it in others homes and in domino and found that it was too dark and taupe for my grey slate floors. I think greys, like yellows, look much for subtle on the card than they do on the wall. They have the potential to be so great, its worth the effort to find your perfect shade.

marissajane: thank you! i was actually really leaning toward the Forde Abbey!

cocokelly (that you, Cassandra?): yeah, i really like the aura paints-- "Storm" and "Nightengale" stick out to me the most...I don't get much light in my living room, so I can't go too dark!

Nice Baldessari.

I found a site that will mix the Aura in any color from any brand. I found there color combination most usefull to pick several rooms so they work together.

http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Color-Combinations-Myperfectcolor-com-s/3254.htm

They also make a sample in any color you want so you can test it. Check out the pottery barn spring color 2008
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-Pottery-Barn-Paint-Colors-Spring-2008-MPC-s/3408.htm

You mentioned the color Storm:
http://www.myperfectcolor.com/Benjamin-Moore-Aura-AF-700-Storm-p/mpc98160.htm

Storm would be beautifull.

They also sell the Aura in gallons of the color you might like. pretty cool huh