Gray Paint | Subtle Nuances

After trending year after year, I think it’s safe to say that Gray paint colors are now a staple in home design.  Shades of gray are being selected for cabinetry in the kitchen, bath, or built-ins for any room of the house.  Coupled with that, Gray interior and exterior paint colors have become a ‘go-to’ choice for many homeowners.   So as Gray paint colors become more and more in demand, so does the need for home decor products and furnishings that work within this sophisticated, soothing palette.  However, Gray paint colors can easily skew with subtle undertones.

Gray Paint | Subtle Nuances

Did you know there are actually 3 ways to achieve a black color?  First is by combining equal parts of red, yellow, and blue. Second, is a mix of complementary colors that include blue, orange, red & green or yellow and purple.  The third is a mix of blue & brown.  ~ according to wikihow.com.

And what does that have to do with Gray paint?  There are two ways to achieve a gray paint color.  First, is by mixing black with white. Second, combine equal amounts of cyan, magenta & yellow.  A warm gray is created with yellow & orange or red.   Compared to a cool gray that has green, blue or violet added. ~ according to wikipedia.org.

As you can see this is how a gray paint color falls into a murky area of subtle undertones. And this is why selecting just the right gray can be a challenge.  And why buying a paint sample to try at home is so important.

Gray Paint | Subtle Nuances

My simple real-life truth ~ Color Theory was one of the core classes needed for my Interior Design Degree.  Simple right?  Not so much.  We mixed and mixed and mixed colors to achieve just the right hue.  It was tedious, frustrating, fun, and one of the best learning experiences in training your eye to recognize subtle nuances within a color.

My Tip ~ Make good use of the color strip within the paint deck available at the paint store.  Usually, there are 7 or so colors on one strip ranging from light to dark.  Viewing the bottom color will oftentimes show the subtle color nuance a little more clearly.  In addition, make a note as to what color strips are in front of or behind the grouping. This gives you an idea of the subtle direction your color choice is tending towards.

So, thanks for stopping by today! We hope you’ve left inspired ~ Nancy
be happy + be comfortable in your home