We admittedly have color on the brain this month, but still remain apprehensive about going full on rainbow in a space. Since we are a bit more on the conservative side, we prefer a neutral with a side of bright. One of our all time favorite combos is gray and orange...it's modern and neither masculine nor feminine yet both warm and cool.
Gray has seen an increase in popularity as a paint color for rooms as it is versatile and wide ranging. It varies from pale grays to rich charcoals and from warm shades with brown undertones to cool hues with bluish undertones. When paired with a bright accent color, it instantly goes from hohum to chic.
Since gray will almost always recede to the background, orange inevitably pops from the space. By using orange accent pieces to add interest, they will also help to create movement around your space as the eye will naturally wander from one pop to the next.
(Image credits: 1 - Patrick Cline, Lonny Magazine; 2 - Colleen Duffley, Metropolitan Home; 3 - Deborah Burke via desiretoinspire.net; 4 - Made by Girl! via decor pad; 5 - Arkitek Axis via Contemporist; 6 - LivingEtc; 7 - CB2; 8 - plastolux; 9 - decor pad; 10 - Vitra.com)
RELATED POSTS:
• Good Questions: Gray Paint Recommendations
• 6 Pops of Color That Work
• Perfectly Gray Rooms from LA House Tours
• Dark Grey Bathrooms
• Color Combo: Orange and Gray
© 2009 Apartment Therapy
Can you tell me what color the walls are in Image 1- Patrick Cline, Lonny Magazine-I would love to paint a wall this color!
view wjgreenleaf's profile
I love the combination, we have a red orange sofa that I adore! Grey curtains are up too.
view dunklekatze's profile
Great question @wjgreenleaf. I just emailed Lonny Mag and will let you know if I get a response. I sure other people are curious as well.
view Jess Watson's profile
Orange and grey have always been soulmates.
view brenton's profile
I think orange and grey drag each other down.. i also think of Nike, Cb2 and other retail when I see this combo.
view LoriSF's profile
AHhh, dear Apartment Therapy: thank you! I am remodelling my smal tiny apartment to be extra tech and to match the needs of my boyfriend that has moved in with me. I had set my palette to white-black-grey-orange and was wondering how to make it all work together, since it's a como you don't see very often (yellow and red are more common for "pop" colours).
Therefore: thank you for helping me plan a space that will be both modern and unisex!
view barbara.agatha's profile
Only the dark orange looks good with the grey. The rest looks kind of tacky.
view ChrisGal's profile
Any idea what that table in the kitchen is? I love the chunky top on the thin legs...
view aj914's profile
Love these!
Got sick of my orange phase over a year ago. Now we're simplifying for the winter to white and browns.
view jeffnyc's profile
Love this as well! This is the color theme for our son's room that we are expecting. I have always loved grey but adding orange to it makes it seem so cheery.
view Signe's profile
I love the bedroom in pic #3! I want that painting.
view jensinspain's profile
I've been shopping for a sofa for almost a month now and the one in this picture matches what I've been trying to find. Can you provide any information about it? I'd really appreciate it.
view sassy2155's profile
That sofa is from Room & Board. It is from the Dean collection. Looks like it is $1699 in that size and fabric.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19211
view DannyLeigh13's profile
LoriSF: You're totally right. Orange and gray together has always bugged me and now I know why.
view slowdown's profile