Gray palette offers variety in home decor
BY BRAVETTA HASSELL World Scene Writer
Saturday, January 26, 2013
1/26/13 at 7:18 AM
When interior designer Jennifer McMahon decided to paint her office a dark charcoal gray, everyone thought she was crazy, she said with a touch of laughter.
But she brought in white furniture - the awful, brown metal desk would not work - and with the help of her interior design students at Tulsa Community College, she added accents rich in color. The result: McMahon's office is fun and energetic, and "everything looks so much brighter."
McMahon's reaction may sound surprising to those who associate gray anything with bland and limiting, but home decorators know that charcoal is forecasted to be popular this year. In fact, some are calling it the new white - with room for a range of exciting color scheme opportunities. From teal, tangerine, hot pink and navy blue, so much can join successfully with gray.
Think of gray as an interesting neutral - one that can be light and whimsical as easily as it can be deep and warm - better than the brown of years past that offered less versatility, McMahon said.
If using gray in a monochromatic color scheme, McMahon recommends varying the tone and textures because you'll want something your eyes gravitate to. Pair dark with light and better yet, add color, which will offer personality and surprise.
For interior designers Gina Miller and Brenda Rice of GHD Interiors, "there are no barriers with gray."
A master bedroom the designers styled offers gray walls, textiles and even furniture. The color was finished with clean white trim and made dynamic and modern with a strong citrus yellow - a perfect and bright middle ground for the couple who share the room. Flecks of black can also be seen in some of the patterns found in the room's accessories, and the glimmer of silvery metallics and glass offer a modern touch.
Rice said the homeowner wanted to create a spa-like, restful and refreshing experience. It's something that is extended all the way into the bathroom as well, with its Carrera marble featuring gray veining.
All three of the designers said the gray palette already popular on the coasts is reaching the middle and Southwest. Miller and Rice said they started seeing the trend three years ago when they were asked to complete the decor of a 5,000-square-foot vacation home in Scottsdale that used gray as the anchor.
"In that project, gray was a perfect choice to create a restful, elegant space that didn't compete with the gorgeous blues, greens and oranges in the magnificent mountains and golf course views," the GHD designers said.
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Going gray without starting over
A budget-friendly and seemingly easy way of bringing gray into your current home design is by tending toward the warm tones of the color. Upholstery fabric, pillows, accessories, lamp shades and artwork are among the areas to bring gray into an existing design, Miller and Rice said.
Classic upscale
Your warmer tones of gray - those with a hint of brown - will create that antique and traditional look. That would mean using grays on the warmer side of the family and in painting trim, bringing in a creamy white tone - not beige but not stark white either.
Modern chic
Here you are straying toward the cooler side of grays, those shades that are darkened and lightened exclusively with black and white.
Masculine abode
For a more masculine take on the gray palette, Miller and Rice suggest choices in navy blue, charcoal, russet red and burnt orange to pair with your grays.
"We also like to use suiting material (inspired by a man's suit) to give a masculine twist to a room with plaids and pinstripes that go well with grays," the designers said.
Feminine sanctuary
For a softer theme, gray converses well with pastels in a range of colors - lilac, for example. Bring in shimmer and other soft sheens by way of accessories. Satins, silks and velvet fabrics also bring in a gentle touch. Pair silvery metallics with cooler grays and gold-tinged, champagne metals with your warm grays.
Original Print Headline: Shades of Gray
Bravetta Hassell 918-581-8316
bravetta.hassell@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Warm gray walls and creamy white trim brighten this south Tulsa home. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
This south Tulsa home demonstrates that a gray color scheme doesn't have to be bland and limiting. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
Splashes of yellow add personality and surprise to this predominantly gray painting. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
This south Tulsa home demonstrates that a gray color scheme doesn't have to be bland and limiting. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
This south Tulsa home demonstrates that a gray color scheme doesn't have to be bland and limiting. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World
New Rustics Home Sedona Pottery Carved Candle Lid ( $46, wayfair.com)
Cool gray paired with silver hardware is a modern look.
Update your space with warm gray accessories. Metallic Linen Sequin Pillow ($26.18, Pier 1 Imports)
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