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Help...my carefully planned neutral gray is blue-gray

14 years ago

Hello all. This is my first post and I am looking for suggestions...........

Despite about a month of internet research looking for a neutral gray (no blue, green or purple undertones) the one I chose sure enough DID end up looking a blueish gray. And it's not just one room, but a combination living room, dining room,kitchen.

I wanted to use a BM paint, but the girl who works in my local BM dealership should NOT be allowed to work with the public. She was absolutely no help and acted like she was doing me a big favor. Soooo I went to Lowe's. I brought about six different gray sample chips home and taped them to my white walls. The two I eventually chose were Valspar "Woodsmoke" and "Vantage Gray." which REALLY looked a true gray.

As I stated, they are now a blueish gray and I can't really afford to hire the painter to redo all of them.

So I'm looking for ways to brighten and warm the room up. In the living room I currently have light/medium laminate flooring, white plantation shutters, a bamboo area rug, and tannish color sofa. I have ordered an off-white twill sofa cover.

What else can I do with the rooms? The living room specifically. Would a red or orange area rug work? What color pillows? etc., etc.

Thanks for any input you can give me.

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Comments (3)

graywings123
14 years ago
Cross post this on the Home Decorating forum.

Sometimes changing the type of lightbulbs in a room will affect the wall color. The Reveal lightbulbs filter out yellow tones. I don't know what affect they would have on blue gray.
jesst
14 years ago
That is really unfortunate about the girl at the BM store, she should be there to assist with these very issues! Would you be willing to paint yourself? You will be so much happier if you love the color...

To get a warm gray right, you have to choose a color that looks like a mix between grey/beige. This is a great one- BM Grant Beige HC-83.
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lazy_gardens
14 years ago
Read this before you buy any more paint:

http://colourmehappyblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/what-everyone-should-know-about-gray.html

it's all about "undertones" and "context" ... what looks neutral grey in one house will look blue-grey in another.

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