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Home Decorating

Growing pains with decorating light gray walls

13 years ago

Jeez!! I am used to walls with more color, but have chosen a light grayish taupe for the new remodel. I love beachy themes, but live in Missouri, I thought that wouldn't fit?? Then I thought, I'll decorate the walls with B&W sailing photos, a few colorful lighthouse images thrown in and a few colored frames, and it should all go well. Then >> I thought what about using beautiful fabric to frame as wall art. OK, the walls turned out much lighter than I had anticipated, but I have chosen to live with them, I am simply tired of remodeling/redecorating.

Those of you with the light grayish walls who have also chosen to replace wall art, what have you chosen?

I bought some pretty medium chocolaty colored drapes for the white bow window, that looks lovely, I just need help with the rest....the wood floors are light also, not a dark walnut, etc. Frustrated!!!

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Comments (7)

dianalo
13 years ago
I am using black frames with white mats for some color flower photography I have been saving for over our bed. It will add a punch of color to a subdued room. If it is too much color, I'd relocate them to the living room with its light bright green walls.

A mirror looks great against a light gray wall. The silver tone of the mirror itself is fabulous. I haven't decided which one to put up, but I will have one over on our light gray wall.

We went with pure white wts and white trim and love the contrast. YMMV.
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homeagain
13 years ago
Our study is more of a medium gray and I used a couple of B&W sailing prints I already had with dark wood frames. On another wall I framed some B&W photos my kids took in photo class at school. I plan to change these out routinely. Our floors are a medium toned oak and the trim is antique white.

My son's room was just painted a light gray and I used some brightly colored boat prints in there.
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Beautiful trim, gorgeous floor the current color will work of course. Going more mid-tone can be pretty amazing too Is the apartment yours, or is it rental? I'm asking because I'd be inclined to go with custom shades as not to obscure that trim..but of course only if the place is mine And I'd pick probably woven grass ones. Shades of natural brown, you know? Or you can go with fabric too. But if the walls stay light-I won't go too dark. Same with curtains. Or. If it's curtains..look at many..you might get inspired by the color you see in ones you like a lot, and "borrow" similar one for your walls. Rug can become an inspiration too. Again, you really don't have to repaint to get the vibe you want.
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jane__ny
13 years ago
I used black & white photos with black frames, white mats. We had some thin, gold wood frames which looked good, again with charcoal sketches.

For brighter colors, yellow and orange pop against grey. We liked the subdued look and went with whites and soft grey/blues and black. I love the greys!
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cindyloo123
13 years ago
Wow Homeagain I love your taste. You really know how to pull a room together.
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Nannajoe
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks... I've noticed the mahogany bookcase looks very good with the light gray. I have some gold-tone frames I am painting black, and I have a few BW nautical printsI will use. A teal- turquoise color is a good accent also.
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ttodd
13 years ago
Completely agree w/ the white mats - it really shows the differentiation between the grey and white. I love gold and gold tones w/ grey. I bet Jane_NY's pictures look fantastic.

Homeagain - your DS's room turned out so wonderfully!
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alex9179
13 years ago
I've used a variety. The walls in the living room are a light gray and a light blue in the hall with the b/w pics.
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