I Love french & scandanavian decorating. I love the way the background pallet is so neutral & soothing & the way furniture & artwork look against these soothing hues. I especially love the color gray. From what I read it's the BIG neutral for 2010. I love the soft grays & have been thinking that my family room with it's high ceilings would be the perfect backdrop for this wonderful neutral. I think it will give the room a fresh feel & all the white slipcovered furniture, wood tones & architectural salvage pieces we have will look fabulous against it. Have any of you experimented with gray? If so I'd love some info on paint chips. So far, it's dove gray by benjamin moore. I know there are grays that can have blue, green, brown & even lilac undertones in them. Like white...I think it's going to be a bit hard to pick out a chip with all the undertones. Here are some pretty photos I found by searching the net....
LOVE this backdrop in gray~
I think you can see by these gorgeous photos that it will be difficult coming up with the perfect gray. There are just so many hues! It will be a challenge so please let me know if you have a favorite gray! I'll post photos of the family room once I decide & once it's painted~ :) xoxo
Those photos are beautiful! So serene. I have never painted with gray, but when you find the perfect one, would you please share?
xoxo
Penny
Posted by: Penny @ Lavender Hill Studio & The Comforts of Home | January 11, 2010 at 02:06 PM
I've been wondering if the next wave for American Decor will follow the lovely Scandinavian blogs. I've been enamored with them since I started blogging last January. At first I wondered how I could handle seeing everything in white or neutral with no large colors... but as I've looked at their lovely homes, I think my mind is changing.
Posted by: Vicki | January 11, 2010 at 02:23 PM
Hello Chris... I don't have any gray in my house, but I am sure you will pick the perfect one... hey! Didn't Tara do a post about being a gray~aholic??? Maybe you can check with her... tee hee hee! Love to you! xoxo Julie Marie
Posted by: Julie Marie Vicknair | January 11, 2010 at 02:37 PM
Hi Chris,
Well I actually painted my son's room and my husband's office gray and believe it or not I found a shade I loved by Dutch Boy called "Nantucket Gray". However, Pottery Barn has a beautiful color called Wedgewood Gray but it has a blue cast to it. You will find the right one. I look forward to seeing all your changes.
LeAnn:)
Posted by: LeAnn | January 11, 2010 at 05:22 PM
Of course Ill share Penny! Im going to pop over right now to see what youve been up to in that fabulous new home you are decorating so beautifully! xoxo
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 05:56 PM
vicki~I think we are exposed now to this wonderful style of decorating thru wonderful magazines such as Jean Darc
Living. I still love romantic decorating but also love the serenity beauty of an all neutral palette!:)
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Julie~You are right! Tara did do a post on her obsession with gray! I think Ill pop over re-read it! xoxo
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 06:13 PM
LeAnn~Id LOVE to see photos of those gray rooms! The nantucket gray sounds gorgeous! :) Thanks so much for the paint colors!
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 06:14 PM
I am in love with neutrals and Scandanavian decor. A few years back there was a very lovely small shop near us selling beautiful antique Danish farm furniture. I was lucky enough to have been able to purchase 2 pieces that I will treasure all my life. Unfortunately, the furniture wasn't so popular and the shop closed. Neutral palates are so soothing and are such a comfort at the end of a chaotic day! Love the photos you posted.
Posted by: Jojo | January 11, 2010 at 07:25 PM
Chris....I LOVE those shades hon! I haven't painted anything gray either..but a white paint I used had a gray hue that I loved!
Your sooo tres chic sweets! I always have to come here for the latest! Please post your pics...I would love to re-paint this spring!!!
Hugs..
Deb:)
ps oh yes & we want pics of the darling cupcake tower for your daughters shower!! How exciting!!
Posted by: Debbie Bell | January 11, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Deb~ Ill be sure to post pics of the family room when done! It will have to wait until we get back from Florida in a few weeks. I cant wait to try out a fabulous gray against all my whiteslipcovered furniture salvage pieces! xoxo
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 08:34 PM
Jojo~I bet that fabulous store would be open doing wonderfully now that we all agree that this lovely way of decorating soothes the soul!Too bad its gone but so glad you got some treasures youll enjoy forever! :)
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 11, 2010 at 08:36 PM
WOOAH...ADORABLE SITE..SO LOVELY,CONGRATS AND HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!!
Posted by: Franciely | January 12, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Hi Chris,
I did an article for Dovetales on Danish decor. The gal's bane is Anette, and she painted all her floors a soft grey. Maybe she can help you chose the right shade. Heres her link to her blog..
Good Luck!
JO
http://lantlif.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jo-Anne | January 12, 2010 at 04:46 PM
Jo~I LOVEDyour article winterwhites in thechristmas edition of dovetails! It was just beautiful the blog so helpful! Happyt New Year my friend! thanks for the link~xo
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 12, 2010 at 05:58 PM
I also enjoy this look very much.. I never have much of a grey person... but I do love the look of those rooms but can't ever say I have painted anything grey in my life. I defianately would choose a soft grey for the main colors.
Posted by: Marietta Hoschak | January 13, 2010 at 02:12 PM
They are all so lovely!
Posted by: melissa @ the inspired room | January 13, 2010 at 06:16 PM
Hi Chris! The more I see the Scandinavian looks around, the more I am liking them! I dont think I could ever do it in my home but I do think it is beautiful. I cant wait to see yours because I know it will be beautiful! Good luck in finding that perfect shade of gray :)
Hugs,
Amy
Posted by: Bunny Rose Cottage | January 14, 2010 at 06:32 AM
Hi Chris. You may want to visit Joni at COTE DE TEXAS.
http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/
Hugs,
Brook
Posted by: Brook | January 14, 2010 at 08:21 AM
I'll chime in when you request info on PINK hughes ~ that's my specialty! I'm home. Package went out today. xoxo Amy
Posted by: Amy Arnaz | January 14, 2010 at 06:12 PM
Those pictures are so pretty. Gray is such a great neutral and looks fabulous with so many other colors. I can't wait to see pictures of what you come up with.
~Debra
Blog: Capers of the vintage vixens
Posted by: Debra | January 15, 2010 at 12:13 PM
wow, so inviting.
Posted by: wishful nals | January 19, 2010 at 09:19 AM
I have prayed for voters in your state to make the RIGHT decision!!!
XO
Brook
Posted by: Brook | January 19, 2010 at 04:44 PM
I am on pins needles brook! change is on the way Ihope! such excitement here in my little state~waiting for the poles to close....keep praying my friend~:)
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 19, 2010 at 04:58 PM
Sounds exciting, I have never thought about the color grey, but seeing pictures of it, it is actually pretty! I can't wait to see what you've done when your finished!
Posted by: Andrea | January 19, 2010 at 05:59 PM
I just read brooks comment and your chris, I am also watching your election hoping the voters will make the RIGHT decision also!! And I think they will!
Posted by: Andrea | January 19, 2010 at 06:00 PM
SWEET DREAMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XO
Brook
Posted by: Brook | January 19, 2010 at 06:36 PM
Hi there,
I recently did one of my bathrooms in a French gray paint.
Posted by: Rosemary | January 19, 2010 at 06:41 PM
Back at you Brook! Although I am too excited to sleep! yippee!xoxo
Chris Glynn
Boutique: www.tuttichic.com
Blog: www.tuttichic.typepad.com
Posted by: chris | January 19, 2010 at 07:05 PM
What a wonderful day in Massachusetts it is! And the nation actually. I am so with you on this one. Oh, the gray too! My friend Carol painted her wall the softest gray ever and it's beautiful with her white trim and slips. It's called Country Dairy, Ben Moore. I painted my walls white and not loving them. Wished I'd gone with a bleachy gray instead. Darn, so much work!
Try different grays on your walls first and live w/ them for a few days b/f you decide and look at Maria's blog. ColourMeHappy.
She's the color guru and did a great post on grays. xo Roberta p.s. stop by
Posted by: Roberta | January 20, 2010 at 05:26 PM
Chris - I am loving gray too! I actually love it with cream and white. I will be checking out some paint chips too. Let you know if I find a good one! Good luck and congrats on the exciting baby on the way.
Posted by: Dawn-Hydrangea Home | February 11, 2010 at 06:11 PM
I'm just finding your blog and poking around so forgive me if I've missed something. I'm weighing in late on the paint debate but in case you haven't made a choice yet.....just go ahead and take the plunge! I finally realized after collecting so many tear sheets with golden camel colored rooms that there probably wasn't a shade I wouldn't like. Also, my 2 cents on paint.....I've used BM and SW paints before because that was the shade I happened to decide on but I prefer Behr paint from Home Depot, hands down, for coverage and quality and will get them to mix my paint where ever the chip may fall from. Good luck!
Posted by: Susanne | February 27, 2010 at 04:41 PM
Chris, i love looking at your blog..
Posted by: Beverly | August 24, 2011 at 05:24 PM
The designs you've shared here are somewhat simple but they give off this extravagant feel. The white also makes it look so clean and spacey. Not to mention the amount of natural light that enters on the fourth picture.
Posted by: Elnora Turmelle | August 31, 2011 at 07:22 AM