I recently wrote about the current trend of gray accessories but this color trend isn’t confined to the world of fashion and can be a sophistocated addition to your home.
In the living room, gray is a beautiful neutral that can be combined with many colors, for a fresh spring look. And by using gray in the palette, even the guy in my life is comfortable contributing to the design of his favorite rooms. (As long as I can still have a girlie room somewhere in the house).
West Elm has a collection of low storage units and exotic rugs to update your family room. If you’re not in the market for new furniture – just add a new pillow, like Thomas Paul’s silk pillow.
Adding grey in the kitchen is easy and relatively inexpensive. You can update the cabinet hardware or buy a new dish towel. You might be amazed at how happy even something small in a new color can make you feel.
Stainless appliances are very much the favorite of many but I like the subtle sheen of the new grays. I admit that I covet the Kitchenaid mixer, even though I have no practical use for it.
Tableware is a practical and lovely area to showcase the newest trends.
Vera Wang and Ralph Lauren have divine patterns that are predominantly pearly grays. Dentelle has a classic espresso cup that would compliment any color tabletop decor; perhaps you’d enjoy a warm cup of Earl Grey tea. (I know…a very corny and predictable reference.)
Benjamin Moore has many shades of gray paint, but my favorite is Beacon Gray #2128-60. This color was recently featured on an episode of “Desperate Housewives” when Lynette Scavo (a.k.a. Felicity Huffman) was redoing a room. Another gorgeous gray is Valspar Wisteria Snow #4003-3A.
If you have commitment issues then you might be interested in wall decals. These handy decorations are inexpensive enough to be changed seasonally.
A gray palette is a modern update on the green / yellow nursery. I don’t particularly find sherbert green inspiring but think that a baby’s imagination would soar in this crib by Oeuf.
For those who are waiting for the stork to arrive to find out the gender of their bundle of joy– prepare the nursery in neutral grays. Then when you ‘re sweet surprise arrives, you can fill the room with accessories that fit the his/ her personality. And wall decals can be changed with every mark on the growth chart.
A perfect gift is aprilmayjune’s vintage animal purses like the elephant and cat ones shown here. These gems are hand embroidered and have genuine pearl and 14K gold eyes. I can’t think of anything cuter than hanging these from a dresser mirror.
Grays create a very Zen feeling in the bedroom. Urban outfitters has a regal gray velvet headboard that reminds me of old Hollywood glamour. It could be complemented by West Elm’s graphic floral duvet cover or Thomas O’Brien’s sheet sets, sold at Target.
Decadent finishing touches are an easy gray addition. West Elm’s Capiz lamps can provide light in your reading corner. Speigel’s block print rug will look good at the foot of your bed.
Drape your windows in Restoration Hardware’s damask cotton- linen curtains in silver sage if you prefer Versailles over modern.
My final suggestion in adding a bit of gray into your life is : adopt a sweet cat or dog from your local animal shelter.
Andre is a sweet cat grey tabby and Teddy is an Australian border Collie mix ; both available for adoption on Larchmont, NY Pet rescue site.
With all these colorful choices, I’m looking forward to gray days!
Resources:
- Furniture and accessories from www.westelm.com, www.restorationhardware.com, www.target.com, www.speigel.com
- Crib and decals available at www.kidsmodern.com
- Keepsake purses can be ordered from www.youaremysunshine.biz
- Find paint at www.benjaminmoore.com
- Find paint at www.valspar.com
- Find a pet at www.petfinder.com
What a thorough and and informative article. The faces on the children’s bags and Teddy brought a tear to my eye.
My friend recently pick gray cabinetry for her kitchen, with some of our friends questioning whether or not she had made the right choice. When all was said and done… the kitchen came out beautifully. The gray color acts as a more exciting neutral then the standard white or cream cabinets…and compliments the “beachy” colors of her decor. I applaud her great sense of style, she took a risk with color and it really paid off.