Recently I have been working with a client that has given me no end of interesting blog topics to bring to you, this one is about how to choose the right ”shade of grey”. Each time this client excitedly shows me a new home furnishing or interior element that is grey they often follow up by saying, “but its not the right shade of grey, why can I see brown in it now?”.
Inspired by the amazing images below from a recent post from “Arianna Interiors“.
I decided to give you my five rules I am guided by when I am choosing a shade of grey for my home or a client – they are a simple and a great place to start.
1. Decide before you start whether you are wanting the coolness of a blue grey or the warm of a brown grey.
2. Be careful what light you are viewing the swatches under in the shop or showroom. Depending on whether the lighting is a warm yellow or a cool white light it will greatly effect the way you see the colour.
3. Remember that the the human eye is not a machine and that the way you view colour is quite subjective. What is a perfect grey to you may be far to purple for your partner or flat mate.
4. Colour is also relative, when you are viewing what you think is your perfect shade of grey at the paint suppliers it is one of many colours on the paint swatch. The colours along side your choice will impact on how you view and perceive the colour you have chosen. Where possible use a neutral coloured view finder to isolate the one colour of interest to minimise the impact this can have. Resene paints have a “view finders” on all of their colour range fan decks.
5. Finally, consider the final resting place of the colour. All the elements of the room you intend to paint will effect the final product and result of your “shade of grey”. The lighting, the shadows and the colours and furniture around it. Make sure you test the paint on a large size card on the wall (A3 at least) and live with the colour test for a while before making the final decision.
With spring around the corner there is no excuse to put off updating the colour of your favourite space, maybe to a shade of grey.
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