Worth-a-Try Wall Color

A subtle yet sophisticated gray hue keeps this home office cozy not bland.

It's time to look at gray in a whole new way. In a New Orleans home office, we stumbled upon a shade that, despite its name, isn't gloomy or blah. It's just seriously elegant.

The paint, Storm Cloud Gray by Benjamin Moore, dresses up simple built-ins that span opposite sides of the room. With undertones of dusty teal, the glossy gray is an attractive alternative to typical white.

"I wanted the room to be feminine because it's a woman's office," says Gayle Adams, interior designer on the project. "This color has shades of green, shades of blue."

Gayle looked to the rest of the home for inspiration. It's a large house designed in the style of Louisiana architect A. Hays Town, so salvaged wood floors and brick dominate the palette. Historic hues that are subdued and muted are the best choice, Gayle says. The neutral gray also makes a great backdrop for the rich wood tones of the antique furnishings.

Semi-sheer draperies add softness at the windows. The light taupe fabric is an airy counterpoint to the substantial desk and bookcase.

left: Dark wood furnishings add richness to a neutral color scheme, below: Open, lit shelves at the top of the built-ins are a great place to display collections while leaving space for storage below.

Paint Advice

When you're faced with a pile of paint chips, finding the right shade of gray can seem impossible. The best way to identify the underlying tones of blue, green, or purple is to compare swatches to a sample of true gray. At the paint store, ask for a sample of gray that is made up of only black and white. Hold it up to the other swatches, and you will see the difference. Also, take the time to paint test spots on the wall of the room. You can gauge how sunlight and the room's Sighting affect the color, as well as how much of the paint's undertones show up.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Sep 2006
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