Is Gray Passe? Please say no!
Is it the end of an era?
I have read articles and discussion boards for several years stating that the gray trend is dead. I stubbornly continue to resist this thought, because I love gray! In high school, I was an early adopter of gray as an interior color–I insisted on painting my bedroom gray, and even chose gray carpet! So we go back many years. After recently reviewing postings on Houzz and paint websites, though, I now believe that a color paradigm shift is in progress.
To be clear, I don’t see how gray could become totally obsolete in the immediate future. After a decade of popularity, it will take some time for the color pendulum to swing away from my favorite neutral. I continue to see a lot of new construction in my area (North Carolina) that still embraces gray. The alternative-to-gray trends that I am now beginning to see online and in homes are, thankfully, baby steps away from gray, namely whites and “greige” (gray-beige) tones. Both color trends allow a gradual transition away from gray.
About whites
I’m not a fan of stark white in most homes. To me, straight-up white feels sterile and clinical to me, like a hospital. It’s also a pretty unforgiving color if you have kids or pets, and I have both. However, tints such as Benjamin Moore Moonshine (OC-56, pictured) reflect light similar to a white while having refreshing undertones. I have recently painted a room with Moonshine, and since we have large, South-facing windows, it reflects very well without feeling cold.
Benjamin Moore Moonshine, in eggshell finish, on walls
Greige
Greige, or grayish beige, can be a transitional step toward warmer neutrals (sigh). Technically a warm gray, greige also provides an updated option for people tiring of gray. Fortunately, it is versatile as it pairs well with both cool and warm accent colors, and coordinates with natural wood and stone. I used Benjamin Moore Rodeo (1534, pictured) and Seattle Mist (1535, not pictured) in my basement guest room, and even in a shadowy space, the color warms the walls nicely.
Warmer days ahead
All indicators show me that we’re on the cusp of a warmer color trend in the foreseeable future. I’m not excited at all about the yellow-tan wall colors of the 1990’s, which felt like a revival of the 1970’s. However, it’s true that cool grays seem to be losing favor. Here’s hoping that we will find a temporary respite with the warm gray tones, since I just painted my house in variations of greige!
Be sure to read my last blog article on how I rid my kitchen of outdated color, http://wp7.temp.domains/~gateciu2/?p=73(opens in a new tab) My Dramatic & Budget-Friendly Kitchen Transformation!
