Grey DAys and Gray Paint

We are thankful for rain, but January 2017 delivered up the most rain in Northern California in 22 years. I like to think that we've stress tested the property. It also meant that we decided to raise the pool house up about 6 inches given that Canappela Farm is on completely flat terrain. The vineyard that we abut is about 6 inches higher than our acre.

Yet, we made headway in December and January. The pool got poured and gunnited and promptly filled with water before we could get on the coping or plaster and tiles in. We are hoping that will happen before the next big rain storm that is predicted for the end of this week.

The week of dry days meant that we could get the pool house exterior painted and start on the interior. Of course, I was ready with the colors after having agonized over 12 shades of grey/gray. Yes, I now think that grey might just be the hardest color to get right. I read so many blogs that described the colors, but until you see swatches in situ, you just can’t get it right. I’ll join the rest of the color experts and describe my impressions of the greys that I tried—searching for that not too warm, not too cool color.

I had ordered Magnolia paints https://shop.magnoliamarket.com/pages/paints because I’ve been taken with Joanna Gaines’ aesthetic when she does a farmhouse makeover. And while I generally liked the tones she has, they were much too dark/concentrated for the airy feel I wanted for my vaulted ceiling rooms.

Magnolia Loft- much too concentrated of a grey
Magnolia Cement- seemed almost lilac
Benjamin Moore Oracle- too cool
Sherwin Williams Repose- a nice grey that is warm and was close to
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl- seemed to be warm and cool at the same time
Benjamin Moore Stoningham Gray- too grey a tone for me
Benjamin Moore Intense White- misnamed as it’s a every so slight a grey to be called white
Benjamin Moore Blue Lace- too cool and too blue
Benjamin Moore Silver Satin- a runner up that could be used else where
Benjamin Moore Bunny Gray- seemed initially pleasing but it’s just too “soft”
Benjamin Moore Horizon- a beautiful tranquil color with a wisp of grey that might very well get used in the main house
Benjamin Moore Classic Grey- a classic as the name implies and only seems grey when you put it against a white.

The winners: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl for the main rooms. https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/2137-60/gray-owl?color=2137-60
Classic Gray for the bedroom and bathroom. https://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/color-overview/find-your-color/color/1548/classic-gray?color=1548