SFGate

mariakeating What colour is your bedding? Furniture? Do you have hardwood or carpeting?

shelleyuk I love the warm grey middle of the bottom row but I suspect you might need something stronger in your sunlight.

sullenbj I agree that the "shade of gray" dilemma is tough! I also wanted gray in my bedroom that has lots of sunlight. I thought I had found the perfect shade after testing 7 shades on my wall. I put it up and it turned green...ARGH! If you find the right shade please post the result. Benjamin Moore seems to be the preferred shades of gray paint provider among Houzz lovers!

aly25son Thx guys! I never knew this section of houzz existed! Ournfurniture is dark wood, carpet is tanish and yes the colors I'm trying are Benjamin Moore! Here is pic of furniture, excuse the mess!

aly25son That bottom middle shade is actually revere pewter which I got from houzz because everyone seems to love it, but imfinding to read much more taupe than gray...

shelleyuk Hmm, I'm switching to top row second from right.

shelleyuk Yes I agree from your second photo it reads taupe, hence the switch

aly25son I'm embarrassed to say I don't even remember which that is lol! I have to lol back I was organized when I started lol!!

orangecamera I kind of like the pattern you have going with all the samples. It's almost like a custom wallpaper effect at this point. If you have enough paint left from all your samples, keep the design going in a random way on the entire wall...and then pick one to paint the other walls a solid gray.

shelleyuk Are you painting every wall or are you having wallpaper somewhere?

aly25son Lol my husband might like that idea since I wasted so much money on samples...

aly25son Painting every wall.. Boring and again am clueless

Dwellings LLC For a warm, cozy look which will look good with the furniture and your carpeting, I like second row, # 2 & 3. I'd do white trim and for the ceiling I'd do 50% Decorator White & 50% the wall color. That should stand up very well to the bright light in the room.

One Specialty Landscape Design, Pools & Hardscape At first I thought #4 on the second row but after seeing your dark furniture, I think #5 on top row. The are both similar and will still look gray in sunlight, but I think the taupe undertones of #4 second row won't look as good as #5 on top row with your furniture.

studio10001 Agreed. It makes your carpet look fresher, too

feeny Hah, orangecamera, I know you may not have been entirely serious about the paint sample flecked walls, but I totally agree that it would be a fabulous, very playful effect (and commentary on the whole process of decorating) in some contexts. Probably not a bedroom however. But now I really want to do it somewhere!

carolins I like: top row, second from the right. No guarantee that it looks the same when you paint an entire wall though. You could do the headboard wall in a much darker colour, like the middle row, second from the right.

For the window: I always like Roman blinds.

Green Gambrel Master Bedroom
Appliquéd Frame Cotton Canvas Roman Shade

Or for a more luxurious effect, Roman blinds combined with drapes. Or just roller blinds combined with drapes.
Levolor Hobbled Roman Shades

joylnn These are some of my favourite grays found throughout my house. They are all bengimine moore colours, pewter, revere pewter, cinder, storm, and thunder. I am sure you might find one of these coloura to your liking. I have pewter in my Master Bedroom :)

darelynn I used several shades of gray throughout my home and the shading makes each room flow yet different from each other.

Madeline Pros, how will the tan-ish carpet (and dark furniture) play if any of these grays were chosen? Just asking.

mariakeating Revere pewter HC-172 is paired very nicely with Metropolis CC-546. You might want to consider doing an accent wall in the darker shade.

orangecamera @feeny, yes, I was being playful, but not entirely kidding about actually doing it. If it turns out horribly, well...that wall needs to be painted over now anyway if they go with one solid color...so there's nothing lost in the process but some time doing more swatches (and more primer when it's time to cover it over). At least with 50 shades of gray in the room, any other gray will automatically fit right in - carpet, bedding, window treatments, etc.

@aly25son, do you hear that little voice in your head saying "do it, do it!"? You can tell all your friends you "got playful with 50 shades of gray in the bedroom". Ha!

Deborah Sullivan I just painted my kitchen (which also gets a TON of sunlight) Benjamin Moore "Pale Smoke". It's a blue-gray and looks great in direct sunlight, in the evening with my kitchen lighting (all on dimmers, so in varying brightness) and by candlelight. I have very white trim that pops great against the color. I am very pleased with it. In the past I always painted kitchens more in a yellow range so I wasn't sure how I would end up liking it once it was completed, but I really love it. Glad that I did it!

jackielynnm If gray is your color..then my choice is the middle row, third from the right. The color is warm and yet modern enough to take on the dark furniture. Pair it with creams, white, and darker shades of gray. Add silver, black and crystal accents to make a more modern look. Mix and match different textures for the bedding. Allow the wall color to speak for itself, you can never go wrong with less is more. Personally, I don't believe wall color should not be the dominent force in a room the bedding and accessories should be the stars. Have fun with it !!!!

longogene I have three favorite shades: Benjamin Moore - Revere Pewter (I walked into a furniture store in Chatham, MA - that specializes in bed linens and this is the color they had on the walls - the sales person told me the color. I have also used Duron's Estate Greige and Gray Kitten. I have Estate Greige in my current home and everyone walks in and asks me for the name of the color. I used Gray Kitten in my first house - and it was also one of my favorites. I view all of these as warm grays. Good luck!

Dina Goebel If you type 'grey bedroom' into Google images there are heaps of awesome pictures to inspire you. Being the carpet is tan I like the first color in the top left, it has enough warmth to link to the carpet. Here is 3 pics which have tan carpet.

Why not consider a wall with grey wallpaper?
We used grey, white and black in our bedroom. We then used black and white blinds. I interchange the bed-covers from burgundy to black. The below image was taken when we first revamped the room, it still needs lampshade and pictures.

vleroux Hi, I would highly suggest to avoid any blue shades in the grey tone: I think a too colored grey will enhence the yellow of the flooring.
My choice would be the first grey , top left, because it's a bit lighter then a midtone, and not cold, so it would go well with the floor.
I would also go for pure white for the baseboards (if you plan to paint them too).
A natural linen finish, more eggshell color, would be elegant I think for your windows. But you could add a like something, like a line of dark navy or dark purple in the window to give it character by adding a clean, very contrasting element. Love the picture sent earlier (Appliquéd Frame Cotton Canvas Roman Shade) After that, you can punch it with funky accessories if you want!
That's what I would do.
Good luck! You should also look at your colors in different time of the day to make sure the hue still looks ok to you! It's not easy for it's for our home...
Let us know your choice!

bdennison @ orangecamera & feeny - playful or not, that is such a creative idea. I see a childs room in greens or an office in the grays. I have to redo our pool table room and I'm going to try this. I will post - probably in April. Thanks

fancyfast Because you furniture is redish brown choose a grey with a tan/brown undertone instead of a grey with a blue, purple, or green undertone. From your pick I'd go with second from the right in the top row and the second from the right in the second row. They are both a medium depth color so you'll feel like you painted an 'actual color' in your room and not just a "tinted" shade of white. Take the plunge, its just paint! Good luck!

Barbara Griffith Designs Your first big mistake was to paint all these on the wall..it tells you no more than looking a paint chips. Use your sample paint to paint on POSTER boards..you know big poster boards. One board for each color. Paint over all those blobs on the wall, it is only confusing for you. Then look at each poster board ONE AT A TIME on each wall and with your furniture..then you will be able to decide what color to choose all by yourself. Also, I hope you have all furniture, rugs, drapery for this room, because that is what you use to determine the color for the walls..paint color is always chosen last..if you want the right choice..

Spaces Designed, Interior Design Studio, LLC I second fancyfast. The tan/brown undertone in the gray will really bring together the furniture and the walls. A great color by Benjamin Moore that works in different types of spaces with different light levels is the Affinity- Thunder at 50%. The color is beautiful yet soothing!

paulathetrickster Ralph Lauren Dovecoat. So beautiful.

orangecamera @bdennison, I can't wait to see it!

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. Wow paint consultations online - I simply don't agree.

I also don't agree with painting swatches on the wall - you never get a true read on the paint colour like that because the shade of previous paint comes through, and you never do 2 to 3 coats which is proper coverage.

I take the simple swatches of the paint colours I want - I narrow it down to 3, maybe 4 colours.
Tape them to a white piece of paper, do this 4 to 5 times, and then tape each 8 1/2" x 11" paper with the paint chips on them to each wall in the room that you want to paint.

Then, at different times of day, your eye will be drawn to the best paint chip that pleases you the most as being warm, gray, brown whatever you love the most.

the paint swatch with the most "check marks" at the end of 48 hours of looking at them at different times of day WINS as the best paint for your home and surroundings.

Good luck.

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paigelreynolds I just finished choosing a gray for a sunfilled kitchen, and these are my favorites. I like Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter which pulls more brown, and Benjamin Moore Sea Haze which has more blue in it.

shannon I just went through this. I actually painted several 1/2 walls and observed the colors over the course of a couple days. I tried about 9 shades before going with aloof gray by sherwin willliams. I love it. It was worth the drama. lol

Margaret B I just went through the process was looking for a nice gray with green tint. Painted 6 swatches over my former color. Finally made my decision and painted over the weekend. Turned out awful, I like the poster board idea and will be reprinting. I think the lighting and current colors in your space may skew your decision. Also hard to judge what is right for the actual space from a computer monitor.

Dwellings LLC Benjamin Moore offers large size paint swatches, 8 x 8 and sometimes larger, for a nominal fee. Or if you have a relationship with an interior designer they can order them for you. Its a service that I provide to my clients all the time and it truly takes the guesswork out of the equation. You just order as many multiples of the 8x8 that you need to give your a true perspective. I don't like the white poster board idea, its not a true depiction of the color.

cmcole1121 I just painted my living room BM Edgecomb Gray and love it. It is a lighter version of Revere Pewter

aly25son Cannot thank you all for your comments..I agree that now I can't even think straight with all these colors on the wall! I may go with number #5 from the left on top row, as it's an actual color and the sun won't wash it out. I also like the advice of going for a gray w brown undertones rather than a silvery blue which wouldn't go with the carpet as well...I may look into some of ur suggestions as well although I've spent so much on samples...cannot than u enough! Wish I could get a decorator but simply not in the budget..just you wait..tmrw I'm gonna post my paint dilemmas from my living room and dining room lol! It's a split level house so the whole interior will basically be whatever shade I choose ahhhhhh!!!

ivanatanasov I like the last one its perfect

aly25son Which last one?!

maggiemae0552 BM Kendall Gray

tullysmum Second from right, top row. I love second from right, second row, but I worry this could be too heavy. Your furniture seems very dark brown, so I'd stick to grey tones that had hints of brown to them, as opposed to grey-blue tones. Good luck!

teri1031 We used Benjamin Moore Pale Oak successfully in a sunny bedroom.

Abby Lanes These are colors that go with the trendy "griege" style. I used Silken Pine and loved it.
http://www.msdesignmaven.com/2012/06/fifty-shades-of-greige-sarah-beaugez.html

louannemichaels Yes, love grey! I would say top row second from the right, or middle row, second from the left..

Kayla Thomas I used Sherwin Williams "Mindful Gray" in our bedroom with two East facing windows, and white roman shades. It doesn't look washed out, and looks great with our dark furniture.

sjkingston Marie Hebson has it exactly right. You can't tell how a color is going to turn out by painting on an existing wall. At a minimum do an 8 1/2 x 11" but better is to go to an art store and grab a pad of heavy white art paper at least 14 x 20" (or something like that). Paint two coats of your favorite 4-5 colors on a sheet but leave a 2" edge of white on all four sides. Then put them up against the wall and move around to see how the light affects on different sides of the room at different times of the day. There are a few basic colors that work in 80% of homes, but it is really hard to spec for a room on-line. The color that worked in two homes for me absolutely didn't work in the third that had very different lighting. Don't give up!

eagledzines Then...
Take only TWO of them and pick the one you like best. Discard one. Pick up another and decide between those TWO only...continue until you have one left.

Andrea Prasch The Benjamin Moore "reverie pewter" looks gorgeous next to dark woods. It is my downstairs color and i highly recommend for the perfect "greige."

Andrea Prasch Here it is in a space

hsus We used Behr French Silver from Home Depot. Lovely gray and went well with our dark wood.

kathancaster We did our great room in revere pewter - it has a nice casual elegant feel. I would do your windows in white wide faux wood blinds and two panels of rod pocket drapes extended beyond the window frame.

rinqreation Here's a search: http://www.houzz.com/photos/bedroom/%2B%22grey-wall%22-%2B%22dark-wood%22-
I'd like the second from the right in the forst row (and the same in the second row, but how about the carpet?). With some offwhite trims and offwhite blinds, with (long) curtains in a soft color or greige, depending on the carpet and bedding. (I could only find a dining room in the colors I like best for this case)

aly25son Thx guys I agree revere pewter looks great in every pic I've ever seen but in my room it is so brown, not gray at all. If I did curtains, they'd need to touch the floor right? Windows seem so high up to me..maybe I shld go buy more samples..husband is gonna kill me!!

aly25son And maybe I shld try French silver?!

longogene I have Revere Pewter and it has more taupe - my contractor argued with me not to do it - once on the wall he fell in love with it.

rinqreation I would not buy more samples, I'd pick a color and forget about the rest. Pick the one that feels best now, most of your other thoughts are doubts. Works for me and many of the customers I help out at work. Once you dive into the world of paint chips, it's possible you need to snap out of it. ;)

carolins You could write a book: 150 shades of grey :-)

h2oville Ha! Another grey freak; thought I was the only one. I usually like the green-based or black-based greys; as opposed to the blue based greys. Make sure you match with whatever else is in the room.

Sigrid Colors can look very different in different parts of a room and at different times of day. I've had a horrible time trying to figure out what color my bedroom walls are because time of day and what wall can make a radical difference in what paint chip seems like the perfect match.

So, you should test in different parts of the room, at different times of day. I'd get at least 3 big pieces of cardboard and paint one a light color, one dark, and one medium. Then move them around your room (sunny wall mid-day, corner away from sun at night). That should help you pick the shade. Paint the back of the two cardboard pieces different tones and repeat. Force yourself and your husband to rank the colors in writing.

There's nothing wrong with ranking several times. You might find you are consistently preferring one or rejecting one.

aly25son Should I be painting on white paper or cardboard? Isn't cardboard too brown, will it affect how the paint comes out?

rinqreation White paper.

Diana Bier Interiors, LLC Do yourself a favor and get a color consultation from a professional. I've mentioned this numerous times, it's very difficult for a color decision to be made from a computer monitor. You say you are very confused, so you could benefit from having a pro come in and look at the space in person, assessing your room in terms of lighting/furniture/style/etc. It wouldn't cost much more than what you have already spent in paint samples!

Cosmos Painting Company, Inc. I agree with a couple of the designers in here that said not to paint little samples next to one another. Doing that is really no better than taping small swatches (could've saved lots of money).
By painting up against the existing color on the wall, your perception of every one of these colors will be distorted.
I would stop buying samples and pick up a large poster board, paint it with at least two coats. Do not leave a white border, paint all the way to the edge. Then, tape that poster board right up against your trim (door or window casing) so that it acts as the new wall color, or place it just behind some furniture (head board or dresser) then stand back and picture frame it with your hands so that all you see is wall color sample and trim or wall color sample and furniture. This will give you the best idea of what it will actually look like once done.
If you have a C2 paint retailer near by, they usually have these large poster size samples in stock.
Also, next time think about hiring a color consultant for a 1 hr consult. It'll probably cost you an extra $50 - $100 more than the samples you paid for.

Good luck!

Melissa Fradenburg I used Benjamin Moore Abalone in my livingroom last month. I love it. Looks grey in all lights and never pink, brown, or blue. It is on the lighter side.

nikilyn207 It's one room. If you can get it narrowed down to three colors then just pick one. If you end up hating it when it's on the wall you can repaint. I know there is time and money involved, but once the walls are all the same color you will probably like the color you picked anyway. It can be scary to make a decision but sometimes you just need to go for it.

eagledzines Is it possible there might be some confusion because some paints look better with the furniture and some paints look better with the rug? If so, is either one of them replaceable so that furniture and rug will coordinate in the future? If so, choose the one that is replaceable and match the paint to the one that will stay.

In the meantime and when you have more time, you may be able to find a pattern for drapes or accents or bedding that brings the two dissimilar elements together.

Dwellings LLC One final thought. At the end of the day, after the room is complete, and you have put up the window treatments, pictures and put the furniture in place with the bedding, the wall color becomes secondary. A backdrop for the general feeling of the room . If you were considering a primary color such as blue , red, yellow or green , I'd be more concerned. And would suggest you hire a professional for a design consultation.

Select a color your love, trust your instincts and finish the room. We're waiting to see pictures.
Good Luck !

orangecamera Okay, okay, you're not going to do the "wall of swatches". I'm fine :)

When you're all done and have the perfect color on your wall, I bet there are others in your area who are going through the same "Which shade of gray?" process. You could easily pass the samples along via Craigslist....

eagledzines You just narrowed down your choices when you said, "I agree revere pewter looks great in every pic I've ever seen but in my room it is so brown, not gray at all". Go with a gray that has brown undertones--the same brown as what you see in your room--not just any brown.

After you have selected those with brown undertones. Type each one in the search box above to see how it's paired. That may be give you more ideas and help to narrow it down further.

neimprover If you have time, I agree with the designer above that suggested you get the larger sample cards from the manufacturer. Ben Moore, and California make them. I have also had the experience that painting swatches, even large swatches, can look very different with the existing paint color all around it. When I was choosing gray, I didn't want to go blueish, and many looked blue on my walls. Ben Moore has the most grays choices in that price range. Ben Moore also actually uses gray as one of their base colors. I like their grays in the Preview line, and the grays in their off-whites. Good luck!

Dytecture If it hasn't been mentioned already, reduce your number of choices down to THREE !!!

jjba Valspar Woodlawn Colonial Grey in a semi gloss. We painted our bright airy living room and a dark narrow hall this color. It looks amazing in both locations. It is a classic yet modern color and I too painted 4 different shades of grey and choose this one. It's a perfect neutral that is both feminine and masculine. Get a sample. You will love it!

carolins Make that: 500 Shades Of Grey :-)

dianahb Haven't read all the comments here, so maybe Benjamin Moore's Ashley Gray was mentioned. It's a warm deep taupe gray-- really beautiful. I painted an old board with all the grays in the world (much like your wall sample here). I ended up liking what it looked like so much, I hung it up in my studio like a piece of artwork. ;) But the Ashley Gray went in my living room (warm white trim). It gets lots of light, and I think I could have even gone darker. (Revere Pewter did not look right in my house, either.)

Joanne Jakab Interior Design Hi, thanks for sharing your journey. As you can see it can be quite the challenge to select a paint colour not to mention the actual paint sheen value which by the way will also change the overall tonal value slightly. Correct me if I am wrong but I thought Benjamin Moore had programs with most of their dealers where they worked with local decorators and offered value priced colour consultations? These value priced consultations would have saved you the cost of the samples, your gas and the stress and time you have invested without achieving a satisfied result to date. And in many cases are far less than the cost of an "Ooops" couple cans of paint.
Also, for the record the best Benjamin Moore dealers (all quality paint dealers) really understand the undertones and can speak to you about this before you purchase samples. There is a lot of trained help available to you for little or no fee. Be Happy and Get Assistance.
Also - why do so many husbands think their wives can just do all of this ... Do we expect all of them to be plumbers, car repairmen, landscapers, etc.? Sure some of them are good at DIY but many are not. And many women (and men) are not gifted with design/colour/space planning attributes.
" I always say - do what you love and excel at doing then, accept the help or rent the expertise as required for the rest." Houzz is a great forum for asking for help but sometimes you need to hire experts to move onto the next stage.
Cheers
Joanne

trinasjackson I like gray very much. But i like gray - not green, not blue, not brown. If your samples are in the room where the paint is going to be, i'd eliminate the nongrays and go wi one of the real grays. I personally like the one on the far right, middle row. I hv a midcentury modern house wi dark woodwork (like the color of your furniture) and i love my light gray. It's not glaring; i find it soothing.

for blinds, i'd bring a little zing into the room wi brushed aluminum and add a little bright color into the room in drapes, not too much color but some - one of your favorites. You can easily chg the drape color if your "favorite" color gets changed.

studio10001 Joanne Jacob - sing it, sister!

Abby Lanes I used to use Benjamin Moore paint, because it was supposedly the "best." I read Consumer Report and they said Ace Hardware's Clark and Kensington score the highest over every other paint. I have used numerous colors in different rooms this month, and the painter fell in love with it. He said it's the best paint he's ever gotten his hands on.

dianahb Joanne Jakab: I agree with you that good Benjamin Moore dealers have great people working for them who know how color works, as well as the undertones of their paints. And if they don't, they can check it on their computer. Certainly, that's very helpful. Still . . . I can't tell you the number of times I've bought the "perfect" paint sample home, brought it into my house, and with my ever-changing light, it looks nothing like what it claims it is. This has nothing to do with paint undertones nor the expertise of those design/color consultants. I maintain that no one will know what a certain paint will look like in his or her house, until that paint is brought in and put on the wall. And that does require buying paint samples.

So, for my money, I'll buy those samples every day of the week if I need to, put them on my wall, live with them, and watch how that light changes throughout the day and night. If you don't do that-- despite innumerable qualified paint consultants-- you will always be surprised and disappointed (my experience).

I have a very good Ben Moore paint person at my local store-- this guy seriously knows colors-- but he doesn't know my house and that ever-evolving light. I'm in the visual arts, and I feel I know colors really well, too-- but that light will get you every time.

I do have a lot of paint samples sitting around, but I always find a use for them.

vleroux Hi!
On my side, I'm also looking for a color for my living room, and I came up with a decision after putting one color on the wall (the one I felt looked the best with my furnitures and the floor). I left it on the wall for a few days, changed it two times, but I realized it was the right one when I put it back there.
On the first look, my boyfriend also had no hesitation to say: this is the good one. It just felt right!

Daylight and artificial lighting is so different: you need to see them both and take the time to see how this works for you and the environment in which it will be used.

Good luck!

mmswenson I would not ignore the color in the hallway unless you plan on painting that too. Also, when you find the gray that you like, use the complimentary colors on the card. For example, painting the headboard wall a shade or two darker and using one shade lighter for the ceiling is generally a good rule .

aly25son Thanks guys! The workers at the Benjamin Moore store were less than helpful with "I don't know it's really personal preference" to the person who just painted gray, which did u use?!?! And to the person who commented on the hallway, that is also getting painted w the rest of the walls and halls..read my sequel "500 shades of taupe" I'm sparing you all.....for now:)

penelopesdreamydesigns For some photos with your colors here's an ideabook with grays and browns used together you might find helpful

dallasstudent13 http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/amandas-calm-simplicity-bedroom-my-bedroom-retreat-contest-186003

I'm in love with this gray (Gray Beard" by Olympic paints)

and BM Edgecomb Gray

Elinor Rowlands I like the middle third from left as it's warm and not too light or the next one along third from right as it's more chic.

jandority Your bedroom wall resembles my kitchen wall! I love love love grey to contrast my red living room walls but, like you, am having an awful time finding the right color. I'm leaning towards the top right color to stay light and bring in depth with decor.

Farhi Rosley You know what, I love what you did with that shades of gray colour sample. Which ever colour that you hv choosed please make one small wall with design like those colour sample you did.

kmkh For best colour testing, prime then paint on a piece of drywall - the material your wall is made of. If you don't have any scrap drywall (sheetrock) in your collection of odd lumber in your basement, perhaps a scrap from lumber store (home depot, rona, etc) can be purchased.

Then if you stick with the advice of the designers and test only 3 or so paints, you only need 3 square feet or so.

good luck

ps - benjamin moore - silver fox

danal28 You need to create a board of one color at a time (foam core boards used for posters/presentations are best). Post it up and live with it for a few days to see how it works in the day and night. Beige, taupes, whites and greys give off very different vibes depending on sun, shade and artificial lighting.
Our BM Clay Beige looks great on a sunny day but green-gray with clouds...one of our big mistakes!

eagledzines These two seem to go best with your side table.

aly25son Eagledzines u r a genius! Thx!

aly25son Although update for u guys: I did poster boards, holy crap it's like starting over, thank god u guys told me to do that. Every color looks so different..I think I'm going w 2 or 6 on top shelf..thoughts? (Stonginton gray BM or nimbus cloud by glidden

cmathis I like your dresser, where did you get it ?

3144123456 I have the same bedroom furniture, and I painted the wall light blue which turned out stunning with the furniture. The bedspread has gray in it also.

aly25son It was from a place aryn and Richard in ny, kind of a warehouse of all sorts of stuff..I will find out brand and write back..thx yay someone likes smthg of mine lol!

Amy Thompson I had a big gray dilema for the kitchen. We used Behr Fashion gray- my primary concern was that it stayed gray and didn't turn blue or taupe- very pleased with the results. It even covered green without changing.

tbeaird0213 This shade of gray worked well for us. If you like it let me know and I will look up the color. The curtains are brown as is the side table that the lamp is sitting on. The room isn't complete but we find the color very calming and relaxing. I've since changed the curtains to a gray color as well and love it even more.

My vote out of your color selections is the second one from the right on the top row. Good luck.

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC So much advice already! I like #1 and #5 in the first row. I would paint 3 walls in the lighter color, and the headboard wall in 12" vertical stripes in #1 and #5. Little different!

cheenah A few ideas for you: I was struggling with the grey dilemma as you are and accidentally found the perfect answer for me.... I chose a grey that matched SHADOWS (against white) in the space... it feels soft, natural, organic, especially at twilight when natural shadows in the space tend to enhance the depth and dimensionality of the color. If I had not accidentally noticed how it matched the shadows, I would likely not have thought to use that particular shade, as it happened to have a slight teal tint to it (and the adjacent space was yellow-beige. Surprising... and exactly right.

A professional painter once advised that when you can't choose a shade, pick three samples you think you could live with, line them up from light to dark... and go buy the middle one.

When I get so frustrated by my own indecision that I'm at the point of giving up... I go buy the color that I personally like the best (regardless of "matching" the room), and mix all my samples into that... just to cover all the bases, lol. It's always turned out fine, and pacifies my husband regarding the cost of samples. Good luck!

orangecamera @farhirosley, I had the same idea! See my post from a few days ago. I still think it's a cool idea, and I'm glad you posted it too, so everyone stops thinking I'm the only crazy one around here :)

Debra Gunstanson I used 3 diff colors of accent wall dark grey walls a little lighter ceiling a little lighter and it looks great

calkelley Actually the comment about painting one wall with the paint samples would be very cool. And what better place than 50 shades of gray than in the bedroom! Never read it but heard the book belongs there. And I bought probably 15 samples over a month time before listening to my agent.

I too am always very so unsure of my decisions regarding color. We painted one room what I thought was just a soft white and it was too blue and not warm enough at all! Hated it. Painted it again within 4 years, despite it being 19 ft high.

When we moved, my agent had the painters take my 4 color choices and paint big blocks on all the walls. We wanted most of the house one color and I chose a very nice gold. We had already moved out and nothing else was in the house. When I went back after, what I thought had been a nice soft color was way too bright for me! Everyone said it looked nice but to me, it felt closed in (and a little too yellow). I never could have lived with it.
When we moved into our new house, wall color made the cabinets look waaaayyy too peachy and clashed with a gorgeous marble floor. Had to paint right away.
I got a decorator in and she helped visualize what I wanted and whittled the choices down. I did go with a different color than she suggested but I felt comfortable enough after her help to do so. I wanted the walls to be pretty but really fade into the background. And after learning my lesson from the other house, I chose a very pale gold that looked great, a good background for the art, and let the floor shine as the masterpiece it was! Love it - finally got it right!

btw, I would suggest once you choose your paint color, esp if you change the depth (half of the color or twice of it) WRITE IT DOWN SOMEWHERE! After all the colors you looked thru and the can that gets paint over the color name, you will not remember what you did. I always keep an extra can as I repaint over areas that get too dirty with 2 boys and 2 dogs. I sent myself an email with 'paint' in the subject line (easy to search) because it then doesn't matter if your computer dies and now you can't get it off the hard drive.

Bonnie Lynn I had the SAME problem until I figured out the perfect way to handle it:

1. Take all the samples you are deciding between and compare them with items you plan to include in the room.
2. Choose the top 4 colors that ARE NOT exact matches for the items, yet are a shade darker or lighter. 3. Put all other samples to the side.
4. Take those 4 colors and pair them up. You should have 2 pair of colors now.
5. Take those 2 pairs and ask your local paint store/department to blend a specialty color based on what you chose. You'll find that these are probably so close to one another, it won't matter which you choose.
6. You now have a CUSTOM grey color that will compliment your entire room, yet won't be super matchy-matchy! You'll be amazed at how pulled-together everything will look, and I promise you'll have people asking, "What color is THAT?! I LOVE IT!".

Just make sure to have them blend an extra container of paint (if they'll make just a quart, do that--you won't need a ton of it) for future touch-ups or possible other areas you want to paint with your "custom" color.

GOOD LUCK!!!

carolins And... did all this advice help? Or do you need some other colour suggestions? Because I'm sure we can easily come up with another 500 shades of grey :-D Your thread is making me chuckle every time I see another comment pop up in my e-mail. Although there are some seriously great suggestions here.

aly25son Lol thx carolins...I did the white post board and might get one or two more samples (perhaps edgecomb gray from another current poster?!) then on to loving room where I think revere pewter may work well..I want a taupe and just hoping it doesn't appear gray! So umm guess I'm still stumped lol! Front runner tho- stonington gray by BM

carolins Lol... I thought your bedroom was your loving room :-D

janab16 I painted my bedroom with "Painting the past - colour CHALK" . It's really a perfect colour, not too gray and not too taupe! Just perfect. :-)

lnable bm afs 690! the perfect gray

nctp I have repeatedly used Ben Moore Stonington Gray. It is warm, works with many lighting situations and accepts accent colors (red, blue, green,yellow) wonderfully.

catcourage I don't think there is a right or wrong choice--it should be what you like best. We tested greys for our kitchen and learned they have pink, green and purple undertones. We finally went with Benjamin Moore Titanium. It still has more green in it than I really wanted, but it was the colour that seemed to work best. It also looks different at different times of day--sometimes darker and moodier, sometimes subtle green. We went ahead with it knowing that if we really didn't like it, we could re-paint!

jdegroy I used "ice cubed silver", pretty sure it's by Benjamin Moore. (Got it at Ace Hardware.) The color is always "alive" - not dull. ANYTHING goes with it. I've used lime green, blue-grey and purples as accents.

Patricia Dornes I did Cathedral Grey (Behr UL260-7) in my dining room. I have med. dark furn., tan carpet. We painted the ceiling and trim white. Turned out beautiful.

mhdunwoody Benjamin Moore Grey Owl is so beautiful. It was in my bedroom and now my kitchen. I will always have it somewhere in my house. I get so many compliments on it too. Test it out and see. Hope you love it too!

cushy Grey is my favorite colour. Think of the shades of grey as blue/greys, brown/greys, purple/greys etc.
It is easier to narrow them down to faves. Maybe try your fave shade only lighter.

sweetsy @janab16 who makes the paint you describe"chalk"? @aly I'm curious which one of your wall swatches above is the stonington gray?

mybeau Hi:
I just found the absolute perfect grey, Gray Moire, by Pratt and Lambert. My local Paige Hardware knew the color and mixed it up. It's stunning with any shade you put next to it and you won't have the 'battleship' gray look. Somehow it's just magic. Get a sample or Google it in a room. I just love it!

carolins I've counted and am up to 489 shades of grey now. Only 11 to go! ;-) Can't wait until you ask what shade of taupe would be best :-D

alwaysdesigning Give this SW app a try; https://www.sherwin-williams.com/visualizer/
In Color Collections choose Cool Neutral for cool greys; Warm Neutral for warm beige greys. Adjust the colors with the choices it gives you and pull the sample to one of the room choices. Put different samples on different walls to compare. It could help.

Also, try Googling your paint colors individually and you may find room schemes using these colors to get an idea.

Also, in the Houzz browser search box, enter "tan carpet grey wall" and scroll through the ideas in there.

If you don't get much light in the room, I would choose a light shade of paint And if the carpet and grey will clash, I would put up a wainscot to give distance between the colors. It would also be less boring. And if boring is not your style, then try doing a stencil on the walls with a complementing shade of grey and even in a gloss to give some sheen and texture. Good luck

Benjamin Moore Metropolitan has a nice warmth
[houzz=Lincoln Park West Master Bed A]

[houzz=Great Neighborhood Homes]
[houzz=Sheri Olson]
[houzz=Bedroom Sitting Area]
[houzz=Pool House & Wine Cellar]
[houzz=Honore-Transitional Dining Room]
[houzz=Organized collecting]

aly25son Just bought anthr sample lol! Repose gray by sherwin William

Janie Wilken Edgecomb gray

sandyruth make it a warm grey,for a bedroom i like a strong colour like aubergine ,teal or coral to go with the grey or if you are really brave co ordinate with mauve/pink or fuschia

aly25son Carolins they all are starting to look the same! Just got repose gray and thnkg it might go better in living room! New color "graupe" lol!

Gray Sky Designs I just mixed this color for a bright room. If you are interested, I'm happy to send you a sample that a Ben Moore dealer can color match. Forgive the fingerprints on the mirrors :) It's dark, but I love that it is a very contemporary look that gives the room some depth. Good luck!

Susan Orzula We just painted the basement silver screen from Home Depot, and put a darker shade of gray carpet . It looks blueish violet my advise is take your time I am not pleased but now it is too late to go back. I spent so much time online looking and I knew I wanted gray but not this gray boohoo,

Kellie Rode Also check out Pinterest. There are several charts posted of the perfect gray. I am just beginning to try to choose a gray for my living room....wish me luck! Even though I'm a designer with 20+ years experience It's hard for me to decide for my own home..

karenjk check out Stonington Grey from Ben Moore. just used it in my daughter's bathroom and it is a super neutral color - a bit on the green side than blue, so it is a warmer grey

carolins ROFL

And @Kellie Rode; just post your dilemma on Houzz. You'll get tons of suggestions and your life will never be the same again :-)

Dinah Smith Clark I like the fourth from the left, 2nd row. It's a tannish grey but it depends on your furnishings & quilt, etc. BUT you can always buy a new quilt. Show us pictures when it's finished & good luck. :)

alwaysdesigning Grey undertones are either blue, purple or green. If you don't want these undertones you will need to go with a warm neutral grey in the beige range. Here's a good blog explaining the undertones from a colorist http://10rooms.blogspot.com/2010/09/choosing-right-grey.html Good luck.

ab19c Lamp Room Grey by Farrow & Ball is the accent wall in my bedroom and looks awesome in all shades of light.

lowes_em Stay away from gray. No wonder you can't decide. Gray dulls the mind and muddles it. Go for a dfft color altogether. Something with some life in it.

aly25son Bite ur tongue lowes;)

carolins LOL again

epostmirel We had a similar problem w a beach house bedroom and bathroom. At the last minute we switched to Ralph Lauren Dover Cliffs, available at Ben.Moore. And all of us love it (me, sisterinlaw, both husbands and designer/architect. We have pottery barn blue dawn cotton-linen curtains and white pleated shades. Best wishes.

wfsterling I found only Benjamin Moore had an absolute NEUTRAL gray. Everything under normal 'greys' are really very chromatic still. We were looking for just plain grey but it was nearly impossible to escape the colors that the greys were created from. But they have a particular line that different. I wish I could be more specific, but it's the only shade that is really neutral and was not part of the normal 'lot'.

laurasmom We painted our master bedroom and adjacent dressing room BM's Thundercloud Gray and love it. The room has abundant light so the gray doesn't look too dark in the daytime, and at night it feels cozy and warm. It goes wonderfully with crisp white trim, and with the deep red I chose to accent (a painted chair, picture frames, an oriental rug, etc.). This was the fourth gray I tried and I'm so glad I persisted until I got it right - gray is difficult to choose but is beautiful once you get it right. Good luck!

visualdirector I'm a die hard Benjamin Moore fan. BUT my home was painted in by the seller right before I moved in and he used Home Depot "Chocolate Froth". Hands down the BEST neutral color I have ever seen. No hint of pink or yellow anywhere. I tried to match the color in Benjamin Moore and couldn't. It the only time I've cheated. If the gray doesn't work out, you should look at this color.

Aja Mazin You need a grey that coordinates with your wood and carpet.
BM going to the chapel 1527

jeannemaria My sister discovered a gray color that I used in my own house in a guest bedroom. It seems to take on many hues (very subtle) throughout the day, depending on the changing daylight, all of which are so pleasing to me that I want to paint more rooms with it. It's Cashmere Gray by Benjamin Moore. After five years, I still walk into the room just to revel in this color. If you go on line to look at the color, it doesn't look at all like what you see in the can.

avnetd1 I've used Benjamin Moore's Northern Cliffs with great success. It's a wonderful color - kind of a beigey gray. Light enough to keep the room from looking dark, but still provides a nice contrast against white trim. Do a search in the Houzz photos to see how it looks, there are lots of examples.

Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc. LOL - you don't "discover" a gray - the gray has to compliment the tones in your home!
If the "undertone" isn't properly complimenting all the other elements in your home, then its not the right gray - neutrals are a lot more complex than you think, and, I recommend hiring a professional colour consultant to help you find it. After all, isn't doing it right the first time have value?

Ellen Giagiari i did my whole house in different shades of grey and I love it. My painter is prepping upstairs as I type this. Revere Pewter is a great neutral and used in most common areas. Rockport Grey I love. I am working with Ashley Grey upstairs but it is not done yet. My painter got me Ashley grey in 5 different tones - 2 lighter and 2 darker than the original formula and I'm going with 150% which is pretty dark but I think I am going to love it. Remember you can have paint store reduce or increase lightness/darkness of any color. Good Luck.

julesgarden How about Sherwin Williams Loggia 7506? It is part of their warm neutral collection doesn't pick up any blue or purple cast no matter what time of day.

gruter I painted my daughter's room grey with turquoise accessories. I had sleepless nights with all the different greys. One paint company advised that I choose a grey with no undertones because the grey definitely absorbs the lighting and colours in the room.

aly25son Would any of these work as taupes for my living room?!?! I'm all sorts of confused! However posted about behrs chocolate froth..pretty sure that's on same card as wheat bread and I have it in my den and love! If I didn't already have is prob use for rest of house/living room!

jeannemaria We all "discover" every day and all day. Definition of the transitive verb is to "make known" or "make visible" or "obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time". When my sister "discovered" the color Cashmere Gray, she told me about it. I sampled it and it was a perfect color all on its own. The Cashmere Gray doesn't have to compliment anything else in my home because it's in a guest room off a hallway that is painted white. The trim and ceiling color in the room are Seed Pearl by Pratt & Lambert (a perfect creamy white highly recommended by Sarah Richardson of HGTV fame). I dress my beds only in white linens, except for pillows and shams, which are a pale blue/gray color. A very light brown rug. The furniture is vintage painted white and is naturally distressed. Looks lovely!! There is little reason to spend money on a professional anyone to decorate your home unless you're wealthy or find the time spent "discovering" just the right color or piece of furniture or fabric simply too frustrating or you're a busy professional with little time to do so. I'll admit that I've made some mistakes along the way with color, but I've learned a lot and very much enjoy the process of doing it on my own. Now go out and discover your inner color consultant!!!

sweetnoor To fellow "online color [paint] consultants",

We do not deserve the cheap shot made by Marie Hebson's interiorsBYDESIGN Inc.

And I discover new things every day.

Woodcrafters Intl Inc guessing you have narrowed it down to about 20, right? At that point the chances of making a bad choice is very small. Take the chips and toss them in the air. Those that land face up get to go again until you have just one, or two left. Then let someone else pick. You get a good choice and are considered open to suggestions from people who care.

Aja Mazin Woodcrafters Intl Inc makes a good point!

I would prefer assistance from those who care, not by those who are paid to "care"

reginacucina I love Gray Paint! I have been carrying these colors around with me for a year while we remodel a 140-year-old-house. These are my color choices for the house. Confession: I got the palate from the shower curtain I bought for the rental we are living in while our remodel happens. Didn't now it at the time but I love these colors together. They are all Benjamin Moore colors and the shower curtain matches the cards almost exactly. Exterior: Kendall Charcoal; Front Door: Buttered Yam; Living Room/Dining Room: Caribbean Teal; Master Bed Room Stonington Gray; Master Bath: Coventry Gray. I'm still working on the Den and lower level Office/Guest room. Any suggestions?

orangecamera On the Sherwin Williams website, when you click on an individual color chip, you get all sorts of useful info. For example, you can find out that "Flexible Gray" is actually in the color family violet.

reginacucina Addition to above comment - Guest Bath: Shaker Beige

dianahb Ellen: I used Ashley Gray in my living room, and I really could have gone darker, but we love it. It's a beautiful color and is not a 'shape-shifter' (color). I put in a Roasted Sesame Seed (BM) in a room next to it-- and it all has a very natural organic look to it. Ashley Gray looks like a dry creek bed to me (in a good way)!

I also used Wind's Breath in my bathroom/dressing room area. That seems like such a nothing color, but is more complex than it appears. Very neutral (to my eye).

Marie Hebson: To "discover" is basically to learn about something for the first time (in one's own experience). So, the day I stop "discovering" (including all about the color(s) gray), is the day I may as well drop dead.

Aja Mazin jeannemaria,

Total agreement!!

You were the unfortunate target of someone who apparently has issues.

Why else would a "professional" insult and belittle a homeowner?

Shameful.

sweetnoor jeannemaria.

I echo your sentiments!

johng9016 we just did our bedroom....3 very dark shades of grey and 1 wall a bit lighter but with a textured finish, we have a tannish grayish rug and silver/ tan furniture.....we absolutely LOVE it!!!! go dark!!!

Outdoor Lighting Perspectives Of New Jersey I could see you going with any of the shades of grey in these photos, not too light nor too dark. Can't wait to see what you decide and your end result.

fitmama Do you know what undertone you have in your carpet? You'll want to try to coordinate the undertone in the carpet with the undertone in your wall color. You might try to rule out some of the colors, then paint the "finalist" shades on white 8x10 cardstock leaving some white as a border. Hang those on different walls to see how the colors change throughout the day. What's worked for me... I used Benjamin Moore's Boothbay Gray in my bedroom. Love, love, love it! It's a medium gray with a blue undertone, and looks very nice with white trim, which I have throughout my home. Coventry Gray (study) is a lighter gray and more neutral. I have Stonington Gray in my guest room -- like it a lot but it wasn't a good fit in other rooms because it turned greenish on the wall. Revere Pewter (kitchen) and Edgecomb Gray (entry, stairwell, and hallways) are definitely warmer grays, leaning towards greige. If I had to pick one color for my entire home, it would be Edgecomb Gray. Good luck!

catching I love the twist on your question title. I do the same thing on my walls to get the exact shade that I'm looking for - those 2 x 2 patches just don't make it. Before choosing a gray decide on the undertone that you want. In other words, look at the multiple color sleves which a gray in part of. If the sleve includes "bluish" tones, that's what will come out when it's finally on your walls. There are also "blackish" tones, which, I believe, give a more real gray color.
Anyway, I have a tip. To add more interest to any room with two colors - one ceiling; one walls - I add picture rails. I stain these the color of the other wookwork in the room. I then bring my ceiling color down the walls about 1 1/2 feet and start with the "color" below. In this way, the darker wall shades "move" better - since there isn't such a difference from wall to ceiling - you have a place to catch/stop/slow down the eye.
Also, don't rule out the "whites" charts! For example, I'm currently looking at "Eco-Gray" which is part of the Dutch Boy "whites color solutions" three page booklet.

jma9075 Repose Grey by Sherwin Williams, we love it and looks great against darker wood furniture it's in the entire upper portion of our house. We chose Alabaster from SW for all our trim.

lizhd An earlier comment said that Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter was more taupe than gray. I believe this is the perfect shade of paint. It can be gray or gray taupe. It is so versatile in every light with different furniture finishes. Just painted my entire house this color. Great in every room.

aly25son I just bought repose gray!!! I love revere pewter too and may use one as gray for bedroom and the other as taupe in living room..hoping each looks distinctive enough as those two shades to get away with it tho ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!

dokuii65 Top left, looks to be the perfect shade to go with the color of your wood furniture, yet light enough to keep the room from getting too dark.

aly25son Amazing how different colors look on white poster boards..this is the same color as the top row second from left and I love it here...(stonington gray)

hyweld Middle row fifth in, it is warm with light brown tones yet grey and... Sexy

patrcia48 Aly25son, I have enjoyed following your paint journey. Been there, done that ! I have the same problem. Remodeling master bathroom and will be painting the bedroom. My bedroom is north facing, Won't to go with a gray. Any suggestions ?

patrcia48 Geez...sorrry. I meant I want to go with a gray paint!

awolberg2 Went thru the same process with 11 paint swatches. Some grays turn pinkish, some greenish, some fade to a cold feeling, all depending on light, each wall was different. Even with the lovely Benjamin Moore palette to choose from, until I was directed to their Affinity color line. More costly but well worth it. No black in their base and color stayed true. Found my favorite within minutes, Gothic Arch, and love it.

14thstreet I used Sherwin Williams Mindful Gray and it is the perfect neutral gray...doesn't turn any colors and goes perfectly with taupe (my carpet).

cmcole1121 I used stonington Gray In a previous home and liked it a lot. It is a true gray. I hope u also picked up a sample of edgecomb Gray - I definitely recommend and see several others did as well. Beautiful gray/beige color - very neutral.

dauc I had the same "problem". The more I looked at colors, the more I liked my original choices. I was going for blue/gray colors. I decided on SW Uncertain Gray for my upstairs with the wood floor. It looks blue-ish with indirect light, and more gray in direct light. I also used a browner tone that is BM Silver Fox downstairs. Good Luck!

jazzbhopeful I recently painted my beach cottage in sw Florida 'Oyster' by Behr with a brit white semi-gloss white. It fills my place with the loveliest light, and I'm surprised at how much i love this color. I love looking at the light playing on the walls as it changes during the day. I also love the Behr paint with primer, it went on easily (according to my painter) and has a lot of depth to it.
I now consider myself lucky to have tried only 4 paint colors!

xpertmom Second row 4th color. Looks great to me, at Ben Moore here a color specialist that will come for free as long as you buy the paint at their store. Just an option many paint stores offer.

sydann Looks like another wall (hall?) in photo is tan - maybe more of a blue-gray for BR walls, ivory trim then coordinate bedding using tans, dark grays and blues w/ silver lamps - shutters or woven wood shade on window

patwood0423 If you paint a piece of A4 using your tester instead of the wall, not only can you move paper around to see what colour is like in different parts of the room, but also you don't have to cover over all those paint samples on your walls! Use masking tape to hold it in place!

milah Just built a house and found the perfect gray color at Sherwin Williams. #7663 Monorail Silver, my furniture and carpet are very similiar and the room has lots of light!

Jeff Wilkinson, RA The same color can look different at different times of day, in different seasons,in different rooms and in different regions of the country. You started with a lot of choices. I would start by ruling them out one by one if they don't strike quite right at a particular time of day or on a rainy day vs. a sunny one. I agree with patwood 0423's comment above that it helps to be able to move them around on different walls to see how they will look. If you are using carpet or rugs, I would also try placing the color next to the textile to make sure they work together. Good luck!

misspeggy7 It's almost impossible to say what color is best for your decor because we can't see what else will be in the room. (I love the topic of your post btw!!! ;-)

luciarx1 I did BM Silver Fox at the recommendation of a friend who had done it as well. Great bedroom color for sunny or dimmer room. I recommended it to someone as well. She has thanked me many times. Fantastic mid-tone gray with warmth - looks wonderful with dark or off white furniture & WHITE doors & moldings. LOVE IT!

camillemcb This has got to be the best design dilemma yet. I looked at it last night and came back to read the new posts again today. I too am looking at grey for my entire house. It will be called 50000 Shades of grey. Stay tuned...

Charmaine Miles Amazing to think there are so many different shades of grey. I personally find grey a very negative colour and so lean towards the shades that bring in warmth, and peace/calmness like the 3rd one in from the right on the top row. Colours can affect our moods as well as our behaviour and this may be a way of you learning to take each colour sample and see how it affects you, if you were in a room that had a large expanse of it. Hope all goes well!

Charmaine Miles My husband and I have found that a sample can often look great but when the whole room is painted in it, it appears to be far darker in shade than we expected. Hope this helps.

sbrewer219 Google Maria Killam a color expert. She used to work for Benjamin Moore. I downloaded her book and learned alot

Spotlight Staging And Design Grays are tough. They either have undertones of green, beige, or worse....purple! I have found many grays that are in rooms that get quite a bit of light tend to go purple. I like the one on the middle row, 2nd from the end, but computer monitors can mess things up. I am attaching a color of a master bedroom I designed. This color came out great...no purple anywhere. I believe the color was called carmelized onion by Ben Moore. Although it can sometimes look a tinge green, Berkshire Beige (Ben Moore AC-2) has consistently been a great color for some of my designs. If you look up Spotlight Staging And Design, you can see the color in the posting of the informal dining area

wendywa Hi I understand your challenge. I painted my bedroom grey, it took 9 test pots. I'm from New Zealand and i went for a resene colour, image. It has a mauve undertone, which makes it feel warmer i think. I absolutely love the colour and it would go well with your furniture and carpet.

wendywa PS similar to 2nd row, #4 :)

aly25son Spotlight-that looks almost chocolate brown to me no?? Gorg but something lighter..amd I guess way lighter gray..thx!

Vera Beaman Design Consultant Ward Brown Builders click on my site that color is S W zircon nice neutral gray . This was for a resale and everyone loved this color. really was a true gray

aly25son I think I'm getting confused bc it's actually gray I'm looking for, not a greige looking shade for my bedroom. I am, however, looking for smthg more like that on main level and hallls..for tye bedroom, I am def doing white moldings and just want a non bluish/silver looking gray..here is a messy look at rest of room..why I didn't post sooner is beyond me lol..

pdcal1 Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter goes with everything

jamamom Ben Moore coventry gray semigloss looks like a true gray in my northwest facing room. No unwanted green or brown or purple tones. I paired it with BM decorator white. Can't say if it would go with your carpet and furniture. Works with the other colors in the room: red, white and a splash of turquoise.

sweetsy Benjamin Moore Horizon OC-53 true light gray; looks great with dark wood and tan carpet

cooney124 I put Stonington Gray in our bedroom and it is a beautiful gray. Getting lots of compliments from friends who are designers/architects. Also had luck with Classic Gray and Balboa Mist. Test each color on a large foam core or poster board. All colors are Ben Moore. Good luck!

Yoko O. Interior Design, ASID Allied Member BM Revere Pewter is very safe and can not go wrong. Everyone seems to like it. Good luck!

lovemcm I, like many others, wanted a neutral gray. Having learned from the past, I prime large surfaces of my walls with white primer, let that dry, then use at least 2 coats of colors I think I might like from the paint chips, separated by areas of the white. That way they're not reflecting the current wall color or each other. Also, the little BM samples only come in eggshell and look different than they will in matte, so I have them mix a sample matte pint. For $10, it's worth it. I paint different walls in the same room because I've found that a paint that might look perfect on one wall might look very different on another wall in the same room. For example, BM Sterling looked lovely on our East wall, but looked baby blue on the West wall! Ice Cubed Silver was too light and too blue. Revere Pewter, which looks lovely and gray in almost every photo I've seen on the internet is an unattractive greenish taupe in our room. If you Google rooms in a certain color (e.g., "Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter"), you can often see that it will look very different from one room to another. So, in my experience, the only way to know for sure is to slap it on your own wall, in several places, then live with it, day and night, cloudy days and sunny, so you'll know for sure. We have at least 10 cans of sample paint. Our favorite gray in that room and the one we picked is CSP-370, a light, warm gray called Picket Fence. Your mileage may vary. Good luck!

Debra Gunstanson I don't think any of those are what I used but I will find out tomorrow and email u I know u will love them I have so many people using them now

Susan Jacobs I will be interested in hearing about your final choice. I also am looking at grays for my bedroom, although my furniture is pine. Anyway, I wanted to say that you should do something crafty with all those paint samples! You can paint picture frames, flower pots, the backs of bookshelves -- all kinds of things with paint samples! Just a thought...

dylan7gig light colors would be best for smaller room...

dylan7gig well you have dark furniture ... so i would still say light but maybe a lighter shade of the color of your furniture...

jvongsakoun I just went through this exact same process with my kitchen, which gets a ton of light. I went with BM ozark shadows. I was a little nervous because the sample seemed to have alot of brown compared to the other 9 samples I had up, but I love, love, love it. It's a warm gray without being too blue or green. Good luck--gray is tough!!

reginacucina To whomever said "go dark" above - thank you so much, you gave me courage to take the plunge. I am ready to send the paint numbers to our painting contractor to do sample boards on primed drywall. Also, (for new construction) my GC said NEVER paint samples on unprimed walls as there will always and forever be a mark on the wall where you painted. You guys rock! I love houzz. Stay tuned, I'll send sample board pics soon.

Gray Sky Designs Yay for you, reginacucina!! I love when people aren't afraid of the darker colors. If you are speaking of the color I posted above, please let me know if you want info about the color I mixed. My friends down at Ben Moore could probably send you the formula. Update with pics, please!

patricia_1958 I would go fourth from the left on the second row, or fifth from the left in the first row. If you get it too dark, it will look like a jail cell :) You can always use darker grays in your linens and the cartreuse color for accents. That way it won't be too hard to change later.

Gray Sky Designs Oh, and aly25son- If you want a lighter color, I custom mixed this shade to specifically be used with a room that has chrome accents (I didn't want the gray to compete with the chrome, I wanted it to compliment it). I shopped Home Depot, Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams and didn't find a thing so came up with this color. When I put my glasses down last night (a dark rich espresso color), I realized how nice the gray looked and thought it might help you. Again, happy to send you a sample to have color matched.

Village Design Group I suggest a medium gray (Sherwin-Williams SW 7074 Software or Benjamn Moore 2112-40 Stone) w/ High Gloss White woodwook. If you find 2 gray paint color that you like, but feel one is too light and one is a little too dark, most paint will mix an average of the 2 colors. For the windows. use the same fabric as your bedsread for statonary drapery panels and a wood blnd ('d do the polywood or faux wood so it doesn't warp) or the Luminette Sheer from Hunter Douglas and a valance. The gray against the dark wood furniture is a striking contrast. If I can be of anymore help to you, feel free to email me- msherrer@villagedesigngroup.

reginacucina Gray Sky Designs and Village Design Group - thanks! House we're remodeling/reviving is 140-years-old in old part of town. My neighbor has a larger home but the rooms are still Victorian in size - smaller. She has white trim with black paint on the walls in Living and Dining rooms and it is truly beautiful. IMO the black paint doesn't make the rooms look smaller at all. We have crown moulding, a lot of large windows with trim so I'm taking your advice Gray Sky Designs and kicking it up (down?) notch with my gray and cream color scheme. I love this thread - aly25son - TY. PERFECT TIMING!

carolins I can't believe that there's an unmentioned grey left in the world now :-)

aly25son Gray sky's that color is gorgeous and exactly what I'm looking for..do u think stonington by BM would be similar? Here's my bedding and my lamps and hardware on furniture..again super messy..I have a 3 and 5 year old so I'm blaming them:))) p.s. taking recommendations for new art over bed, that thing is so damn ugly!

carolins New art over bed: photos of your 3 and 5 year olds, blown up (I mean the photos obviously, not the kids) printed on canvas. Of course in black&white, otherwise known as.... tadaaaaaaa... grey :-) No but seriously...

Follow the first link, I guarantee a smile or two:
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/a-father-who-creatively

aly25son Carolins what kind of headboard, we have none..the horror lol!!

carolins Dear aly25son,
I didn't say headboard did I? Nope, just double checked... didn't... lol So are you confused or am I?
Or do you now want advice for a headboard. I think you should buy a grey one. One that matches the colour on your walls. Eventually :-)

aly25son Lol no, you didn't mention headboard...but we don't have one and you are very helpful so I thought I'd ask!

carolins Oh phew! I began to doubt myself there :-)

We, in the Netherlands, aren't as obsessed by headboards as you Americans (or British). We don't have headboards, unless they come attached to the bed. But since you ask...

This one, it will narrow down your choice of grey paint:



(and before people start screaming that it's the wrong headboard for your furniture, or you need a different shade of grey fabric... it's just a small joke :-D)

Gray Sky Designs So glad to hear it! I can send you a sample of the color if you'd like. And DO NOT worry about the messy bed! I have a 2 yr old who is a master of deconstruction! If you send me an email, I will get your address and pop a sample in the mail for you (I am blow drying one now). My name is Crystal, so we'll just call it Crystal Gray! paintdesigns@yahoo.com

Gray Sky Designs I am also gonna run down to Ben Moore (at the top of my street) and see if they can get me a formula, just in case you need it sooner rather than later.

aly25son Thx! Don't want u to go out of your way, especially since it may appear different in my lighting but I'm wondering if you'd say it's close to stonington? Thx so much!!!!

Gray Sky Designs Stonington is a few shades darker with a little more black and brown in it, if that makes sense. But, it is very close. If you had Ben Moore mix that color at 80 %, you'd be pretty close. If you want the formula for Crystal Gray (!), I'm happy to send it. All I ask is that you pay it forward and do a kind deed for someone else (and if someone tells you how much they LOVE the color, mention Gray Sky Designs??!!). Let me know! Again, glad you like the color. I knew I was getting into this business for a reason :)

Nova Look Window Fashions I agree with Eagledzines. I think she picked the right colors for your wall. As far as your window, since you said you get a lot of sun light I would recommend a blackout roman shade, if your budget allows it do a see thru roman shades with black out panels (draperies) so you have the option to get some light during the day but blackout at night for a good night sleep. Not sure where you live but my business in AZ carries a roman shade called TWIN shade, you basically have two roman shades together, one being a see thru shade and the second being a blackout fabric.
If you order them online make sure you got the right measurements, if not I'm sure a professional in your area can go to your house for a free consultation.
Hope that helps!
As far as color for your blinds I would go for a lighter tone of the gray you end up picking or even a light brown to contrast with your dark brown furniture.

aly25son Thanks gray sky! So crystal gray is really your own custom correct? Would u be so kind to look at my other post asking for taupe color for my living room? Wanted taupe but now having doubts based on readers comments and thinking perhaps that's not the best color for the room based in my floors, etc..where r u located? Wish I could get a decorator!

Gray Sky Designs Hahaha! Yes, it was custom mixed. I will look at your other posts and get back to you. I am in Boston.

dylan7gig i agree with @nove look window fashions ...

Susan Jacobs How do ya'll feel about large pics of children on the wall of the master bedroom? My sister told me that it's bad feng shui to have your children (or any of your family) "looking at you" in your bedroom, and ever since I heard this, it has kind of ruined the idea of family pictures in the bedroom.

carolins @Susan Jacobs: it has ruined it for me too now. Thanks for that ;-)

Andrea Prasch Found this article and thought of you! How's the search coming? I am going to be painting my bedroom gray too! Ahhhhhh :0

dblooize We love revere pewter by Benjamin Moore

leftyplg I just painted a room "BM ozark shadows" which is a warm medium gray. I also painted our den something with "willow"...willow branch maybe, also BM in the name and I like it alot.

poppet1111 haha... Love this!
I just painted my B'Room black!! (As in.. 2 walls anyway!)
Dunno if that links but I just LOVE it!
Good Luck with the serch!!

Charmaine Miles Hope things are coming together for you! Lots of advice and ideas to work with - wonderful response. Look forward to seeing a finished photo up for us all to see.

Ann I also like second from the right, top row.

Village Design Group Grays can be pretty and if you chose a too much a cooler shade it can mae the room look cold and unviting. I'd stick to the warmer shades.

Village Design Group Putting ictures of kids in the master BR is a great idea!!!!!!!!

jandority There is so much activity and I'm more confused than ever about how to choose a grey! I'm painting sunny dining and kitchen off a deep red living room and now worry about 'back' colors. This thread has certainly given all of us a lot to think about! Hope to see the final photos.

Kathleen Amatangelo Think WARM gray or COLD gray. Look at you samples above, and notice some have a "blue" undertone, and some have a brown undertone. If you like cooler colors go for one with blue undertone. If you plan to use earth colors, use the warm gray color (all three in bottom row). Many people don't know this about grays...until they get the walls painted and bring in their soft decorating items. (Is there carpet in this room...if so is it COOL or WARM color?)

Village Design Group Bring in some red accents w/ the grey.

cperez674 I love Sherman Williams agreeable gray

Blue Ocean Studio Just passing through..............thought I'd comment since I'm an artist and I deal with color every day. If you look at these samples, you'll see that the warm colors really advance. They literally come forward. The cool, lighter grays recede back. If the room is small and you have dark furniture, I'd stay with a cool light gray. The furniture looks dark mahogany/walnut which has a little red in it, so the grays with blue will really look blue and the grays with green in them will really look gray (green compliments red). I like the 5th one on the top row, and the one next to it. Some of the bottom row looks blue....I'd try a medium to light gray/green color.

Jana B. Couldn't read all these posts... just had to tell you to try Sherwin Williams "ANONYMOUS'... It's gorgeous! I was hesitant, but have the same situation with a lot of natural light and dark furniture. I love it!!! It's such a beautiful color... it's gray, but also favors brown... just beautiful!

cprav7 I like the one on the second row.....4 one....!

TLC Designs Just went through this same process with my daughter and her new home. We selected Sherwin Williams Mindful for most rooms and an accent wall of Dovetail. Then one room in Benjamin Moore's Metropolitan. Grays are extremely difficult. Good luck.

A M P Designs I have a wonderful article pinned to my Pinterest board on how to chose paint colors. She was also working with grays. I hope I'm not breaking any rules to share this link. http://www.thecreativityexchange.com/2012/07/favorite-tips-tricks-for-choosing-a-paint-color-friday-favorites.html.
Next time buy a tablet of heavy paper in the arts and craft store and apply your paint on individual pages. Tape them to the wall . It's a lot eaiser to ellimate the no way colors.

Teresa Epperson I like to go warm and with that lovely dresser and the great pic I love the bottom left one. It looks rich and soothing. Good luck.

Debra Gunstanson Husband home today I Will get the colors

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC What was your question, Susan?

travisinteriors Top left and if you want a accent wall behind bed the darker one right below it. Trim in white. Also panels in very white. Accents in silver and black and white prints as art.

travisinteriors Bedding should be a print with black and shades of gray. Lots of pillows.

travisinteriors On window white panels with black rod lowes or Home Depot, make sure they go to floor lowes have nice pleated blinds they have in stock and will cut for free. Measure size inside window.

Aja Mazin Susan Jacobs,

Posting the same question twice is not the way to get attention.

It only causes confusion.

Please do not pot a 3rd time with gray in the title.
LOL

Chaun Miller Construction I like the darker grey, it gives the room a more intensity.

Debra Gunstanson I can't find the # off the paint can used valspare because it has a primer to

lrb945 wow! what a lot of info!! the minute i saw your "wall swatches", i said "second row, second from left". always go strong and deep--much richer looking and more character! be sure that your trim is purest white--wonderfully crisp! i see the final pic above shows that, on the right.

dylan7gig i like @debras pictures... very nice colors rich is good

aly25son THANK U EVERYONE! I decided to go with stonginton gray by BM. I wanted smthg that was light to med and didn't have a blue or brown hue, this is soft and no undertones..if that's even right way to say it. I have to keep bedding so I think this works. Might do roman shades but not sure what color yet. And for my interior of rest of house I going w chocolate froth by behrs..it's on same pallete as wheat bread which is in my den and will flow nicely. The color is a whiteish brownish taupe and I think will look rich and a touch sophisticated w the dark couch and media stand...thx for ur time and patience lol..work starts tmrw! I also getting all new doors and moldings etc!

poppet1111 Would LOVE to see pics when you have completed it?!
Good Luck!

aly25son I will def take pics! Too bad rest of room sucks, paint is under alot of pressure to make things look good lol!

dylan7gig good luck ... cant wait to see pictures

Patricia Vivian That was me this summer! Ended up painting one wall prison grey VERY depressing!!! Im trying other colors now, maybe blush, i thought grey would me very New York City chic, well its not its cement grey!!! Good luck, i think you like calm neutrals like me, a soft pale grey with pink undertones is nicest i think for a bedroom, with a lot of white and some splashes of color if u feel like it!

Susan Jacobs haha, Prison grey. Is that on the Benjamin Moore fan deck?

Patricia Vivian Im serious look! I live in Beirut we dont have that make here, anyway grey is grey no matter what make! Depressing and a dead color :(

Debra Gunstanson I'm sorry u fell that way u can put teal red green blue and mustard yellow with it

orangecamera Alcatraz Gray, Sing Sing Gray, Rikers Island Gray. Makes me wonder if there's an "official" prison gray, hmmm,

Q: What color should I paint the highest level of the prison?
A: ATTICa Gray!

Debra Gunstanson I can see the grey is getting to u the pics u posted look tan charcole grey for accent wall then just keep going lighter for walls and ceiling I am not where I can get names here but silver and black also look good with it I do know we used valspare paint

Debra Gunstanson Try these grey metropolis BM cc 546/. Rock port grey BM hc 105/. Twilight grey sw 0054/. Calling wood BM oc 28 they are beautiful grey's hope this helps

laurakaplandesigns I used BM Edgecomb Gray in a Master BR with lots of light. More people asked what color it was as it changed with the lighting & time of day plus looked amazing with the white trim. It's a lighter warm gray-- soothing and would give you a neutral background. (My furniture is dark too)

jandority Patricia, if you are still interacting...you mentioned a light grey with pink undertones...do you have a name?? I'm painting by maroon red walls. Thanks

aly25son Debra I have that bowl from pier 1!!' Just posted in my latest design dilemma post lol!!!

Patricia Vivian Jadority hi! The only paint i use here is Dulux, my apt was painted Egyptian Cotton, heres a pic of a wall!

jandority Patricia, where is "here"? Love the name Egyptian Cotton, don't know DULUX.

Patricia Vivian Lebanon!

lovemcm Patricia, I know someone who is teaching at the American University in Beirut. Are you there?

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC Sorry, I was not available for the last couple of days. Really, you know someone teaching at the American University?

latifeh Watch out with gray some of the hues turn to pink and mauve in different lights

jandority Latifeh, do you happen to know the names of these hues....I'm painting off dark red and think it may work to have that back color. thanks

lmrdtx1 If you don't like the color of your gray at night...change the light bulbs. I went thru 11 colors only to realize later after finishing the room- bedding and all that the light bulbs were making everything I had bought before green. Light bulbs make a huge difference in how everything will look. Check the LRV light reflective value on your paint also. The higher the number, the more it will reflect or pick up on other things in the room.

lovemcm @Helga Simmons, yes a friend from Rhode Island is teaching art there.

Debra Gunstanson U can put so many colors with grey it is a great color

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC lovemcm, how long has your friend been there, and how long will he (or she) be there? Beirut is lovely, very avant garde.

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC aly25son, I have been away from the discussion, have you been able to solve your problem?

lovemcm @Helga Simmons, she has been there for a year, married someone from there, so her stay at this point is indefinite. Did I understand you to say you are there, also?

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC lovemcm, - no, I am not in Beirut, I live in Washington State. I lived in Beirut for 14 years. I loved it. I had to leave because of the war.

lovemcm Helga, the war was devastating to a city which was often called the Paris of the East...

Helga Simmons Interior Design LLC I know. So sad. Good night.

gizmo61151 sorry but if you cant decide maybe down deep your room doesnt want to be grey. why not try other nutral colors in a matte finish

Debra Gunstanson What I used was more silver grey : my bedroom will be with a black and white antiquing with some grey silver tones I'm buying a silver comforter with a few red and of course grey I don't know if u have noticed but grey is in almost every one fro houzz post:)

snwllms1 Dina coebel what color is your bed comforter With the marble?

pmanastasia Just painted my master bedroom and bathroom Benjamin Moore Silver Gray. I am very pleased with it.

aly25son Take a pic, I want to see what I missed out on lol!!

4carolina I recently painted a room in my house Revere Pewter by BMoore. It's such a neutral grey. I love it! Good luck!

aly25son Post pic!