There was no paint color choice I agonized more about than the one I made with my own living room. I knew I wanted a neutral because this room would be the backdrop of any parties or holiday bashes. I knew I didn’t want to go all white because I had mostly northern facing light, which would make it feel washed out and drab. And I wanted a color that would make the architectural details in the room pop. So I began a hunt for the perfect shade of gray that would feel warm without being brown.
I put more than 12 colors on the wall and agonized over it. I listened to everyone’s advice on what their favorite color was. I asked friends, neighbors and strangers; I had paint color nightmares—all before learning the important lesson that one person’s perfect shade is another person’s nightmare!
Finally after a swatch hunt that took weeks, I finally selected a warm, medium-tone gray and bit my nails.
Once it was up, I was happy I had put in the time and stressed about it, because the shade totally makes the room. It’s a great neutral without being too timid. The best part is that this color seems to work with anything I throw at it—a teal blue accent color in the form of a sofa table? Check! Vivid yellow party decorations? Check! Halls decked out for Christmas? Check.