More Gray Paint and a House Update
I’m going to meet with my painter tomorrow to talk about paint colors. I’m going to do it – I’m going to paint the kitchen cabinets gray! I’ve been staring at paint swatches all weekend and still haven’t come to a decision. If anyone has a gray paint they like, please share.
One of my readers asked whether I had seen the kitchen in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Hamptons house. I had seen it but didn’t remember the kitchen so I’m glad she brought it up because I actually love it. (Thank you, Engracia!)
Having decided this I’m now considering more gray for elsewhere in the house too. Like the built-ins (there are three in the house). I think they would look amazing painted like this:
I’m even thinking of painting the dining room and master bedroom a light shade of gray like this:
And what about this entry:
At this rate, my entire house is going to be gray!
As for the house itself, if you’re wondering whether I’m ever going to move in, I’m wondering the same thing. I’m seriously hating our bank right now. The only silver (hey, a shade of gray!) lining in all this is that it is going to happen but it’s just taking much longer than it should have. It’s out of my hands so it’s time for some yoga, meditation and deep breathing. LOTS of it. We’re also going up North to my parents’ for Christmas so I’m going to try to just enjoy the holiday and not think about it for a while. I will keep you posted.
(Photos: 1.canada.com 2.D Magazine 3.via Casa Sugar 4.Chicago Home Magazine 4.Decorpad 5. via Desire to Inspire)
I'm glad to hear that it's definitely a done deal, albeit slow. Those gray photos almost make me feel like starting all over again with my house (already I'm planning a few milky grey floors). How's the new place going to be for direct sunshine? The brighter it is, the darker the shade of grey you'll get away with in the kitchen.
.-= mise´s last post ..knitted nativity =-.
I would paint my whole house gray as well. I love it. If you want to go that dark, I used Orion Gray by Ralph Lauren in my kitchen (on the walls not the cabinets). As for a lighter gray, I used Moonlight by Ralph Lauren. I can't wait to see what you do. I love gray!
.-= Jessica at Lavender & Lilies´s last post ..Back to School… =-.
Gwynneth's kitchen is my kitchen inspiration also. And I sympathise with you over the bank. We're having similar issues for our renovations. AAAGGGGHHHH!!! To think I was one of them in a previous life. Good advice to let it go and enjoy the holidays. Have a very Merry Christmas.
.-= Jennifer´s last post ..A Single Man and his sofa =-.
can't wait, can't wait !!
.-= tiina´s last post ..3 days =-.
The chandeliers in the kitchen are to die for!!
Lovely and inspiring post ~~
Happy Holidays Ally!
xoxo
.-= laura trevey´s last post ..Christmas Brunch =-.
I'm so glad you're going with gray! It's lovely and so sophisticated!
My fingers are crossed that you get to move in soon!
.-= Jessica´s last post ..Santa Came Early =-.
The pictures you have shown here are all beautiful! I love gray too!!! I think you will do a good job by painting a lot of rooms in gray! So many other colours well match! Think about some accents of orange! Would be beautiful!
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2010!!
And I really thank your for all your beautiful posts!!
xx
Greet
.-= Greet´s last post ..Last Minute Christmas Decoration =-.
Fave greys:
- "Sweatshirt gray"
- "Thundercloud gray"
- "Trout gray"
All from Benjamin Moore.
.-= Jane Flanagan´s last post ..Lovely reading room =-.
LOVE the shades of gray. I will be re-painting my dining room in a pale gray as well and can't wait! Sorry for the bank frustrations (I know it can take forever!!) but enjoy these moments of relaxation.
.-= Aspirations of a Southern Housewife´s last post ..winners all around- Raw Art Letter Press! =-.
Gray is the new neutral–Go for it! I love it for its softness and versatility. Merry Christmas and happy painting!
Can't go wrong with gray. It's so classic and timeless. I have the same problem with paint colors. I sit and stare afraid to make a decision. Sample, sample, sample. The colors always look so different in the actual space then they do on the swatch. I can't wait to see how it turns out. Enjoy your yoga and deep breathing.
i'm sure whatever you decide, it's going to be beautiful. i wish the best of luck with your bank and getting things settled (sooner than later!)
.-= Down and Out Chic´s last post ..Monday Dressing =-.
I love all shades of grey
We have used Farrow and Ball Pavilion Grey and Lamp Room Grey, but there are so many around at the moment. Enjoy your new house when you finally get into it !!!! XXXX
.-= Jacqueline´s last post ..SNOW at ' HOME ' …………… =-.
Thrilled to hear grays are a go…you will most certainly pick fabulous hues to create beautiful spaces!
Hang in there…patience is the hardest thing!!
Janell
For cabinets? I used Sandy Hook Gray HC 108 from Ben Moore. They are fabulous.
OK, I don't mean to get all "horoscope lady" on you, but I think mercury is retrograde for the next couple of weeks. Could slow down the signing of contracts – but, apparently, not for bad.
Good for you! Deciding to paint your cabinets gray is a good decision! I think it would be beautiful to continue the gray paint in gradient shades throughout the house in appropriate spots as you mentioned. It weaves a subtle continuity and flow. Now go and be merry and just let all your creative juices rest on the back burner. Everything will come together beautifully…you'll see
Merry Christmas
xo
Terri
.-= Therese Long´s last post ..~A treasure of historic importance~ =-.
i cannot wait to see it!!! i'm sure you're going crazy but just hang in there & keep planning away!!!
xoxoxo
.-= Lauren´s last post ..Peanut Butter Christmas Cookies in the Kitchen! =-.
Love the greys – all of them. I'm obsessed by Benjamin Moore's Feather Gray right now
.-= moderenemama´s last post ..Big Blue Sectional Reveal =-.
I love grey. I even convinced my very cautious parents to use a lot of it in their home and the effect is heavenly.
One reason that grey has always been such a popular colour for interiors is that it shows off artwork very, very well and you can play around with the colours that you use in your rooms without having to pause and wonder if it will go with your walls. And lavish antique gold picture frames look divine against grey, of course.
.-= Passementerie´s last post ..Plans of gluttony =-.
Nothing like being homeless when you have all this creative design energy flowing through your veins!
Grey, grey, grey everywhere! I love it! The more the better!
.-= Melissa´s last post ..Joyeux Noel =-.
yes, yes, yes to gray!!
my favorite gray is Benjamin Moore Dior Gray.
And the color right below that is Day's End.
Day's End looks a lot darker on the strip than on the walls – I was a little scared of it but it really comes to life! Not too dark at all.
.-= Anita´s last post ..green with an edge =-.
Oh, thank you Ally, very sweet of you to mention me. Love the idea of grey built ins, might do the same in my house, will add some real texture to the rooms which have them. I am going to make my new kitchen grey as well, and yes even though I am so so in relation to Gwenyth, I do think her kitchen joinery is spectacular.
All the best with the bank.
Cheers
Engracia
Oh, I love dark gray lower cabinets with white uppers. Filing that idea for my next place…
I love all your gray ideas! That light colored gray for the master is especially drawing me in! Hope you get into the home soon. Enjoy the holidays with your parents in the meantime!
xo,
Crystal
.-= Crystal @ Plush Palate´s last post ..Jennifer in Black + White =-.
I love Farrow & Ball's Lamp Room Gray — I painted my bathrooms in it and it's really a gorgeous midtone gray. Looks like you want to go with a darker gray for cabinetry though (which I think is spot on) and in that case I'd recommend BM's Flint.
Love that you have decided to go with the GRAYS. I cannot wait to see what you choose, it will be Fabulous I just know it.
I recently painted my entire kitchen cabinets white, my dining room a dark gray…and haven't finished the bedroom wall also the same dark gray. I LOVE it. I actually want to bring the gray into the living room in a lighter shade to brighten it up! Hopefully after the Holidays I can get back into it!
xo
Good things take time they say – and it will be stunning once you move in and make it your own. You won't regret your gray decision!! As you say – deep breaths! Amanda xx
.-= Amanda´s last post ..christmas sustenance =-.
i painted my hallway grey and have never regretted the decision….in fact, i'm thinking of taking it one step darker. i'm currently doing up the back courtyard and the base colour is the deepest shade of grey i could find. i think that art work (for interior) and mother nature (the exterior) look incredible against grey.
.-= shelley t´s last post ..My Christmas – Lucy Feagins =-.
Alek,
This sounds AWESOME, I can't wait to see.
sounds like my dream home:)
.-= paula´s last post ..Yes, Please =-.
I love grey in all shades. The Mediterranean house I posted about today has most of its walls painted in an amazing pale shade of grey. It's #960 – Apparition from Benjamin Moore. I've been slowly repainting most of my house in that shade and it's perfect.
.-= James´s last post ..A Mediterranean Masterpiece =-.
Oh my, I'm completely in love with Gwyneth's kitchen! I absolutely love all of this gray! We installed waintscotting in our larger bathroom, and painted it a dark gray, the walls are a very light silvery-gray, and there is gray tile on the floor. It's a perfect backdrop for any color, and we can change the look of the bathroom just by changing drapes, shower curtain, towels, and artwork.
.-= Marsi @ The Cottage Cheese´s last post ..A White Christmas (and not the snowy kind) =-.
Oh, I love gray, you must post pics when you are doing painting, or even half done
I adore gray too- am thinking of having my kitchen cabinets painted. I am more of the taupey, drab gray lover to go with carerra countertops. Favs right now are Ben Moore's 976- Coastal Fog and 1543 Plymouth Rock.
I used Ben Moore's 1577 Artic Ice in my bathroom for a luscious gray with just a hint of blue that works every time.
Have find finding the right gray for you!
just painted one of our extra bedrooms gray and then had one wall done in a gorgeous gray/silver flocked wallpaper! The gray is so mellow and it kind of feels like you're in a cloud. Can't wait to see your choices.
cheers,
c from paisleypetunia
My favorite Grey EVER is Chelsea Grey by Benjamin Moore. (Check out the HC colors, they're fabulous and so natural.)
Chelsea Grey is deliciously warm… warm as a grey can be. It's sooooooo super gorgeous!
I love where you're going with the decor in your new place! YAY!!!
.-= ABC Dragoo´s last post ..Fresh holiday color palette {Plum + Tomato} =-.
i painted my entire house grey, first it was supposed to be the master bedroom, then I did the dining room that spilled over to the entry way then the living room and hall!
the guest room is magenta pink so i guess not the entire house but the majority is….
The grey would look amazing in you family room with all those windows, the grey changes with the light and looks fabulously sexy!
xx
callie
.-= callie grayson´s last post ..MERRY CHRISTMAS! =-.
I'm just catching up with this post…
I absolutely adore gray walls, cabinets, etc. I recently painted my bedroom gray and now we're painting our kitchen cabinets a dark brownish-gray. Someday I'll post about the latter, although the kitchen is … coming… along… slowly….
Thanks for these great inspirational photos!
.-= Lesley @ TheDesignFile´s last post ..Honor party hosts with great gifts for the home =-.
nice……………
Last summer I painted my kitchen cabinets ben more’s CHELSEA GREY (high gloss.)
I LOVE IT!!!!!
It blends nicely with my stainless appliances, and looks perfect with my honed carerra marble countertops. It grounds my very graphic cream and rust cement tile checkerboard floor. Couldn’t be happier.- highly recommend!