Go-To Gray

Once of the questions I get asked the most is, "what's your favorite gray?". Nine out of ten clients I work with select a gray for at least one area (if not all) of their home. Designing spec homes gave me the freedom to test many colors and sheens on the interior and exterior. Here is a small list of my go-to grays and whites.

My #1 gray (and the one I used in my own home) is Sherwin Williams: Agreeable Gray SW7029. It works with warmer tones as well as cooler ones. It's light enough to keep a room feeling bright and airy, but dark enough to contrast with a white trim/ doors.

For a cooler (typically more modern) gray, I like Sherwin Williams: Passive SW7064.

My dining room painted in Agreeable Gray, Satin Finish

Once you've picked your wall color, now you need to pick your trim color! I love the look of these whites on the walls with another white trim or even a contrasting trim (gray or black). In most homes, I keep it traditional with a white trim and a white ceiling.

My favorite bright white is Sherwin Williams: Snowbound SW7004. I've used this in many homes, paired with many wall colors, and it always turns out bright and clean.

If I'm using a warmer color pallet with creams or a tan, I use Sherwin Williams: Alabaster SW7008. It's a rich, warm white and looks great on cabinets too! I also love Alabaster for a wall color, paired with a brighter white for the trim and ceilings. It's my go-to white exterior color as well.

Alabaster used on the cabinets and trim with Agreeable Gray on the walls.

Once you have the walls, trim, and ceiling colors decided- the last decision to make is the sheen! Here is a list of my standard finishes in order of lowest to highest shine (and typically lowest to highest cost).

Flat- Ceilings (this sheen is the hardest to clean, it shows every little spot, so I only recommend it in an area that won't get traffic).

Eggshell- General interior walls (living room, hallways, bedrooms, garage, laundry).

Satin- Bathrooms & wet areas (if your kitchen has a backsplash you can avoid that area. If your laundry/mud room has a sink, I recommend satin in there as well). Satin tends to resist water better than eggshell and is a little easier to clean.

Semi-Gloss- Trim and Doors (the easiest sheen to wipe down, but too glossy for walls).