color confidential with tobi fairley: decorating with neutrals

Posted on 16 February 2012

Q:

Dear Tobi,

I love using neutrals in my home, but I still want it to feel fresh and up to date. Are there any popular neutrals that you can recommend?

Leslie, Pine Bluff

 

A:

Hi Leslie,

Thanks for writing in to us! This is a great question and one that I’m sure lots of other people wonder about as well. Neutrals are a classic look that can always be in style, but I am continuing to see gray as a very popular color. Here are three of my favorite shades for living and sleeping spaces.

Pearl Gray (Sherwin Williams 0052) is a light, fresh shade of the color.

 

Silvermist (Sherwin Williams 7621) offers a shade that has lots of blue undertones.

Uncertain Gray (Sherwin Williams 6234) provides more saturated color.

Recently, there has also been a huge trend toward “greige,” or a mix of gray and beige tones. Greige is popping up everywhere, but it’s especially hot on kitchen cabinetry.

 

Here are a few of my top Greige picks.

Morris Room Grey, SW0037

Universal Khaki, SW6150

Amazing Gray 7044

Last, but not least, if you want something deeper choose a charcoal gray. You can use it as a wall color to create a cozy look or in accents. It also pairs well with brights if you like to accent with a few pops of color here and there. One of my favorite combinations is charcoal and yellow. You can pair a deep wall color with accents like the ones I use in my Home collection.

[From top left: Grizzle Gray SW7068 paint chip, Venus, Atlas and Athens pillows from Tobi Fairley Home, Rothesay Lantern from Tobi Fairley Home and Bistro, Athens and Marrakech fabrics.]

I hope this “new” neutral is just what you’re looking for in your home!

Happy Decorating!

Tobi