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Classic Gray Paint: Coastal Fog by Benjamin Moore
ColorTherapy

coastalFog.gif

Name: Coastal Fog AC-1
Brand: Benjamin Moore

Why would anyone with a color column write so frequently about grey? I think it's important to point out the subtle beauty of a seemingly random neutral as an element within a larger design scheme. When used deliberately it can be an essential component in a smartly colorful room.

 
 

Coastal Fog is perhaps what my friend Benjamin would call French grey, or a warm grey like wet cement. Look at how well it plays along with the green chair, the tchotchkes on the table, the crisp black lines of the wrought iron and the color in the poster — it's elegant and simple.

Grey should not be equated with a garbage dumpster or the inside of a service elevator. In this instance, I like to think it feels like something Le Corbusier might have chosen, and is elevated above what is commonplace. This may not be as exciting as crimson, but I love it anyway.

- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter

MORE GRAY PAINT
Classic Gray Paint: Silver Fox by Benjamin Moore
Do It Yourself: Painting the Apartment
Do It Yourself: Priming & Painting the Apartment
Good Questions: Gray Paint Recommendation?
Color Gallery: Gorgeous Dark Gray Walls
Paint: Finding The Perfect Gray

(ReEdited from 2008-02-26 - AA)

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ColorTherapy, Benjamin Moore, gray

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Comments (17)

I like it too!

posted by Rebecca_J on August 18th 2009 at 12:15pm
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I do like the French Gray. Prefer it over the cool or cold gray. A delightful neutral that provides a subtle, natural background for most colors. It's cooler than a tan or beige, and warmer than the cool grays. A better choice as a whole-house neutral for warm and hot climates. Nice find, Mark!

posted by #9 on August 18th 2009 at 12:25pm
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I had it in my condo with accents of Texas Leather (2 shades darker). Loved it.

posted by citipearl on August 18th 2009 at 12:28pm
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Loooove grey! I recently used Chelsea Grey from Benjamin Moore and it seems to change constantly with the light. So it's never boring!!

posted by GreatFriend on August 18th 2009 at 12:42pm
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The recent AT obsession over grey walls is a bit lost on me, I'm afraid.

posted by lilcafe on August 18th 2009 at 12:45pm
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Mmmm. Don't like that colour. Looks like dirty bathwater to me!

posted by mjr on August 18th 2009 at 1:01pm
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Love the color!

I'm in the process of painting my bedroom walls in Ralph Lauren's Architectural Cream. In my room it looks like a khaki gray, lighter than the one above. I love it. It feels warm and cozy and dreamy.

posted by magicsbm on August 18th 2009 at 1:17pm
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I have it in mu living room for 5 years and it is coming close to end. It a nice color if you have light color or bright colors but if you furniture is neutral (ours), it starts to look to dark and even close to bland.

posted by chicity1126 on August 18th 2009 at 2:05pm
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Liking it and considering it for my (mainly yellow) kitchen.

posted by mirandabee on August 18th 2009 at 2:42pm
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Farrow & Ball's Light Gray is a very similar warm gray, almost a greige.

posted by ChrisToronto on August 18th 2009 at 2:44pm
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Certainly a better choice for folks who are color-phobic than beige or off-white!

posted by bepsf on August 18th 2009 at 2:53pm
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I adore it. It's such a rich, assuring color with a lot of warmth. I'd add a touch of glaze for more depth without changing the hue or value.

posted by medusa12120 on August 18th 2009 at 6:27pm
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In the mid 90s, at a local holiday open house I was struck by the host's rich medium gray walls in the main living area. Filed it away, and reproduced it in our home's hallways several years ago...it makes for a very smooth transition room to room.

posted by muirwoods08 on August 18th 2009 at 9:50pm
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lilcafe, I was going to say the same thing. I look at that picture and feel forlorn and sad. Part of it is the underwhelming decor and the empty wall, but the color just sucks the life out of the room.

posted by sally305 on August 19th 2009 at 6:49am
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I recently painted with Benjamin Moore Feather Gray, and it's gorgeous. Depending on the light, it can look sort of blue or silver, and it's just such a soft shade, like a bird's wing.

posted by kathyh76 on August 19th 2009 at 3:15pm
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I went to my local Ben Moore today and saw a paint chip for this... waaaaay different than I had imagined -- much more taupe-y than gray, to my eye. So now I'm looking at something more along the lines of their pale smoke, or silvery moon, or sidewalk gray, or ... ?

posted by mirandabee on August 19th 2009 at 5:37pm
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Like the color of the wall but do not like fake swan chair!

posted by nycity on August 19th 2009 at 8:37pm
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