Hey Laura! Volume V
In this edition of Hey Laura! I answer questions about using Essential Gray with blue, connecting an exterior and interior color scheme, picking the right gray for a new build and much much more. For quick and easy navigation use the list of topics below!
- Will Essential Gray work with all this Blue?
- White Duck vs Natural Choice
- Which white should I use on my exterior?
- Does Acier have purple undertones?
- Undertones: Repose Gray and Light French Gray
- Can I use Debonair and Comfort Gray together?
- A neutral color for a windowless room
- Which Grays will Compliment the Yellow in my Existing Beige?
- Help me connect my exterior and interior color schemes!
- Front door colors for a brick home
- Help! I don’t want a gray that looks blue or green!
- Does Softer Tan look okay with the Basket Beige?
- Using my color schemes as a guide
- Help me pick the right gray for my new build!
- Is Panda White a good trim choice for a man cave?
- How to tone down the brightness of Reflection
- Best trim color to use with Dover White Walls
- A Pop of Color for a Laundry Room Door
I am excited to bring you my answers to some of your comments found around Rugh Design! Please visit any of my Blog posts or color schemes pages from the Color Wheel and leave a comment to have chance to be featured in future Hey Laura! posts.
If you can’t find the answer you are looking for I would love to be your Color Consultant! You can hire me for an Interior or Exterior Color Consultation as well as for an eDesign. Or if you don’t have a need for a full blown consultation but would still like some help check out my Color Question Consultation.
Let’s get started!
Will Essential Gray work with all this Blue?
From the Essential Gray color scheme page JoAnn asks:
Hey Laura!
I have an open concept living room/dining/kitchen with lots of windows facing south. We have a dark maroon couch and plan to buy dark or medium blue chairs. We like Essential Gray paint. I have a lot of blue and white dishes, decor, etc. in my kitchen and dining area. Is there a good coordinating blue or blue-gray color that would coordinate with Essential Gray that I could use to paint at least part of my kitchen? And is Essential Gray a good choice for my living room?
– JoAnn
Hi JoAnn,
I like how you are thinking through what you currently have and what you plan to buy as you consider paint colors! Essential Gray is a pretty color that could work in your living room. It does have a slight lavender undertone that comes out stronger in certain lighting. I strongly suggest painting up a sample to see how it looks. That being said, since you have a maroon sofa, Essential Gray does have similar undertones (mauve/lavender). I would just make sure the Essential Gray isn’t looking more lavender than you would like on your walls.
Blue is a nice accent color to create an analogous color scheme, which is basically colors next to each other on the color wheel. The picture above, from Missy Stewart Designs, is a great example of how to use Essential Gray with blues and really brighten up a space. After you sample, let me know how it’s going! I would love to stay updated on what you decide.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
White Duck vs Natural Choice
From the White Duck color scheme page Angela asks:
Hey Laura!
Just when I was getting ready to quit my research on paint colors voila I found your site! I have a south facing living room with vaulted ceilings and not too much light. The living room is open to the kitchen which has cream-colored slightly mocha glazed cabinets. I was thinking about using White Duck in the living room and Natural Choice in the kitchen. Am I on the right track?! Thank you so much! PS: I am DONE with yellows, greens!
– Angela
Hi Angela,
I’m so glad you found my site! Natural Choice is a gorgeous soft off-white with a slight greige undertone. However, White Duck is so similar, that I would suggest just painting both areas in one of these colors especially since it is an open layout. Test out samples of both in the kitchen and living room to see how they look and which one you gravitate towards.
I might also test out a few other colors with a bit more saturation. Both Natural Choice and White Duck are pretty light and if you do have a vaulted ceiling, your space can probably handle a punch up with color. I just moved into a home with a vaulted ceiling and the wall color got a lot lighter than it looks on the paint swatch! Look for a light greige or taupe that has the same undertone as Natural Choice and White Duck, but with more saturation.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Which white should I use on my exterior?
From the Pacer White color scheme page Julie asks:
Hey Laura!
I was planning on painting the exterior of my house Pacer White and wanted to do a pale gray shutter to go with it. After looking at your color schemes I’m wondering if I should do a different white? I want a creamy white with a pale gray shutter and a light/medium toned wood front door with black house numbers/accents. Thoughts on colors?
– Julie
Hi Julie,
I love your color scheme plans for your exterior! I do agree that it would be wise to rethink using Pacer White, especially since you are looking for a creamy color. Pacer White has a slight peachy-orange undertone that you can see more clearly when looking at the color one shade darker, Sand Dollar. Exteriors are a bit tricky because the whites look ever whiter than they would in interiors because of the natural light.
That being the case, I would look for a color like Natural Linen to create a creamy look for your main exterior color. A medium toned gray, like Intellectual Gray would be really pretty paired with cream. Test these colors out and let me know what you think. Thanks for reaching out!
Please feel free to sign up for a Exterior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Does Acier have purple undertones?
From the Acier color scheme page Camela asks:
Hey Laura!
Does Acier have purple undertones?
– Camela
Hi Camela,
I categorize Acier as a medium toned gray that can have a slight blue undertone. That is why you are seeing some cooler undertones that may be mistaken for a purple undertone. For a reference, see my review on Repose Gray or Mindful Gray (a few shades lighter than Acier).
The best way to see the undertone clearly in your space is to test out a sample to see how it looks. Please let me know if you have any other questions or if I can help further!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Undertones: Repose Gray and Light French Gray
From the Light French Gray Reivew post Stephanie asks:
Hey Laura!
I’m in the process of having our new construction home painted and I chose a gray tile floor Antalya Gray HP flooring. Well I chose Repose Gray paint and now I’m wondering if I made the right choice. It hasn’t been painted yet and I came across your site. One of the samples I had was the Light French Gray but at first had that bluish violet hugh. But now I’m second guessing the Repose Gray. The master is facing southeast on the backside of my home with two large windows above where a free standing tub will be with 12ft ceilings. There is a breezeway attached off the back of the house so it gets natural light but not a whole lot at times. Any advice would be great! Thank you!
– Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Great question! Repose Gray does tend to have a slight bluish undertone, but it also looks more gray in other lighting. While Light French Gray is similar to Repose Gray, I have talked with a past client about Light French Gray turning more lavender. I have not had a complaint about Repose Gray turning lavender.
Really the best way to find out is to paint up a sample board and see how it looks in your lighting and next to your selections (flooring, tile, etc.). If Repose Gray turns out to have more of a blue undertone than you would like, there are several other soft warm grays that don’t have the blue undertone that you can try!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Can I use Debonair and Comfort Gray together?
From the Debonair color scheme page Rebecca asks:
Hey Laura!
If I paint my entryway Debonair and my living room Comfort Gray, will these colors complement each other? The trim in both rooms is a bright white. The living room is immediately off the entryway with a large door facing so both colors are visible at almost all angles from both rooms. Love your site! Thank you!
– Rebecca
Hi Rebecca,
Thank you! I’m glad that the site has been helpful. Pretty choices for colors! I am like you and love blues and greens. Debonair is a medium blue with a bit of gray to its undertone and Comfort Gray is a green-blue/gray.
Pairing blues and greens together is considered an analogous color scheme since they are next to each other on the color wheel. I do think these can work together in the entry and living room. To be sure that you like it, test out the colors and view them from different angles and different times of the day to see how the lighting effects both colors. Let me know what you end up deciding!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
A neutral color for a windowless room
From the Top 5 Neutral Paint Colors post Nanci asks:
Hey Laura!
I’m debating on a neutral to paint in my windowless laundry and attached powder bath. I want to paint the cabinets in a blue/green shade. I was thinking Creamy or do you think Repose Gray would be better?
– Nanci
Hi Nanci,
Thank you for reaching out! I love the idea of using Creamy on your walls, especially in your laundry room and attached powder that don’t have windows or natural daylight. Creamy is my favorite cream because it doesn’t get a noticeable yellow undertone.
Creamy will pair well with a blue-green cabinet color too, like Quietude or Oyster Bay. Keep me posted on your project and send pictures when you finish if you can!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Which Grays will Compliment the Yellow in my Existing Beige?
From the Anew Gray color scheme page Kay asks:
Hey Laura!
While reading this post I find myself struggling like others. My husband and I bought a home, a fixer-upper. He always wanted to reconstruct one himself well now he has single-handedly. The only problem was my time when I had to make paint choices. I feel like I’ve made big mistakes. It’s all open concept and the color I chose was cream in my coffee for the living room, foyer (the foyer has a half wall that is turquoise that I want to change) and the kitchen. For the dining room, I am stuck. The fireplace has a nice stone, floor to ceiling, with beige and grays. I would like to paint the dining room Anew Gray or Versatile Gray but I’m not sure if that flows? The dining room also has a chair rail and the bottom would have white. The trim in the house is all white. Do you have any suggestions? I don’t want to make any more mistakes. My husband has worked so hard!
– Kay
Hi Kay,
I understand! It can be so hard to select colors and coordinate everything. Since your main color is a creamy beige, I would suggest Versatile Gray for your dining room to bring in some cooler grays that will actually compliment the yellow in the beige.
Versatile Gray has a warm taupe-greige undertone that works well with yellow undertones. The white below the chair rail will be a good way to break up the colors a bit and add some contrast against the Versatile Gray.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Help me connect my exterior and interior color schemes!
From the Repose Gray color scheme page Jackie asks:
Hey Laura!
This was really helpful! Thank you! We are building a new house on the East Coast of Florida. The home has an east facing front and south facing back. I just picked my exterior colors, Base: Origami White, Trim: Anew Gray, Doors (garage & Front): Sealskin. I am trying to pick a main interior color that flows with the outside and will give it an inviting entry, but not too warm or too gray. I think I am between Accessible Beige and Agreeable Gray. But I can’t decide! I want to test them both but not sure we will get to depending on the timeline of the build. We are going for a west indies/classic/modern theme, white cabinets, dark island, dark wood flooring and white countertops with a white stone fireplace. What are your thoughts on interior color?
– Jackie
Hi Jackie,
I love your exterior color choices! Just for a reference, I consider Accessible Beige a greige/taupe that is warm without being golden and is one of my go-to “not too beige, not too gray” interior colors. That being said, after I read your comment, I was leaning towards Agreeable Gray. Agreeable Gray is a bit more gray than Accessible Beige, but is still warm enough to not feel cold and sterile. My new home is actually painted in Agreeable Gray and I love it!
Also, since your exterior trim is Anew Gray (one shade darker than Agreeable Gray), it is a perfect color to connect the exterior and interior! Let me know what you end up deciding.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Front door colors for a brick home
From the Best Front Door Colors post Cari asks:
Hey Laura!
I love all of these colors and they look stunning with exterior wood/siding. My house is brick and I am having a hard time finding the right color besides red. I would love to see your suggestions on front door paint colors that look great with all brick homes!
– Cari
Hi Cari,
I’m so glad that you left a comment! There are so many people that have brick homes and are looking for a front door color to go with their exterior. If you have red brick, the complement is green. There are some really pretty shades of green that have some gray to the undertone so that it doesn’t look like a Christmas scheme!
Attitude Gray or Night Owl are darker grays that have a green undertone. Sage is a lovely soft green and Rookwood Jade is a brighter green for something different.
Please feel free to sign up for a Exterior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Help! I don’t want a gray that looks blue or green!
From the Proper Gray color scheme page Julee asks:
Hey Laura!
I’m considering Proper Gray for my kitchen and adjoining living area. I’m going to use white for the ceiling and trim. My husband feels it’s too dark. Therefore, I’m also considering Essential Gray. I have painted samples on different walls to see it in different light and angles. I’m at a loss. I don’t want a gray that looks blue or green. I’ve tried putting tile, granite & cabinet samples next to them. I’m ready to just move rather than think about this anymore. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
– Julee
Hi Julee,
I’m so sorry that you have been struggling with this! Paint can be so tricky, especially when you are trying to discern the undertones and if the color is the right depth (not too dark, etc.). For a reference point, I categorize Proper Gray (and Essential Gray) as grays that have a slight mauve-lavender undertone.
If you are looking for more of a true gray that doesn’t have a blue, green or purple undertone, consider Worldly Gray or even Agreeable Gray for something a tiny bit warmer. If you sample both of these and still need help, please reach out for a Color Consultation . I would love to help you find the right color for your space!
Laura
Does Softer Tan look okay with the Basket Beige?
From the Basket Beige color scheme page Mary asks:
Hey Laura!
I have continued the color of my living room, Softer Tan, into my kitchen area. The kitchen joins with the family room which I have painted Basket Beige with an accent wall using Cordial. My cabinets are a honey oak. The soffits above the kitchen cabinets are also painted Basket beige. Simple question is does Softer Tan look okay with the Basket Beige?
– Mary
Hi Mary,
To answer your question, yes, Softer Tan definitely works with Basket Beige! Since Basket Beige is two shades darker than Softer Tan, it works perfect for an accent color above the cabinets.
That being said, it is very neutral and if you have honey oak cabinets, you might think about using Cordial up there to add some pop and some color. Let me know what you end up doing! I would love to hear.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Using my color schemes as a guide
From the Buckram Binding color scheme page JoAnna asks:
Hey Laura!
I’m curious how your color wheel suggestions work. I’ve been searching a lot of neutral beige colors and noticing a lot of variation in suggested coordinating colors. For example Toasted Pine Nut has more subdued, softer matching colors while Buckram Binding has much brighter and bolder color suggestions. Does that mean the brighter colors won’t look as good with Toasted Pine Nut? Or with Kilim Beige? What is it about Buckram Binding that makes much bolder colors work better?
– JoAnna
Hi JoAnna,
Great question! For the Color Wheel, I did tend to pair the brighter and more saturated colors with other colors similar in tone. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to use brighter colors to coordinate with colors like Buckram Binding. Use the colors as a guide for the schemes (analogous, etc.) and then select a softer color within the same paint color family. I hope this helps to clear up any confusion!
Laura
Help me pick the right gray for my new build!
From the Repose Gray Reivew post Izabela asks:
Hey Laura!
I have been researching grays for weeks now and I’m so glad I came upon your blog. Your posts are very informative. We are closing on a new build next week and I am trying to find the best color that could be used across the whole house. The house has 12-foot ceilings and is west facing with the open floor plan living room facing east. The kitchen has white cabinets and we are putting in a light wood-looking tile. Repose Gray is one of the main contenders, but I’m afraid it will look muddy/greenish in the evening (the builder offers Agreeable Gray as a color but that is too beige for us). We are also considering Light French Gray, but I wonder if that would be too cool, especially in the east-facing living room area. Any recommendations between the two colors or any other true grays we should consider? Thank you so much!
– Izabela
Hi Izabela,
Thank you for your kind words! Repose Gray is one of my favorite neutral color choices. I haven’t seen it have a greenish undertone, but it can have a slight blueish undertone that comes out in certain lighting. If you are looking for more of a true gray, there are are a few others that don’t have the blueish undertone, although it is a gorgeous color that works in many interiors.
You are right that Light French Gray can have a cool undertone, so I recommend testing out both colors to see how they look first. If they are looking too cool, look for a gray that is a bit warmer and is more of a true gray. Let me know if after you test out the colors if you need further assistance!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Is Panda White a good trim choice for a man cave?
From the Panda White color scheme page Christa asks:
Hey Laura!
We’re trying to find a trim color for my husband’s basement mancave. The walls are going to be Universal Khaki or Urban Jungle. He hates white trim so I was thinking of using Panda White for the trim and built-ins to make the trim less dramatic (he would prefer wood, but that is not an option). The whole rest of the house and basement playroom (adjacent to his mancave) have bright white trim. Will Panda White work to tone down the trim without looking dramatically different from the rest of the house? Could I also use Panda White on the trim and built-ins in the adjacent playroom (which will have blue-gray walls) without it looking dingy?
– Christa
Hi Christa,
Great question! I hear from a lot of people wondering about whites, especially for trim. To answer your question simply, yes, Panda White can work as an off-white trim color. I categorize Panda White as a creamy off-white that has a slight green-beige undertone. Wool Skein is one shade darker than Panda White and you can get a better feel for the undertone of Panda White by looking at Wool Skein.
To answer the second part of your question, it would be fine to use Panda White in a separate room even if the rest of the house has brighter white trim. I would consider keeping the white trim in the adjacent playroom to keep the look fresh. Panda White will definitely have a beige undertone that you might not want as much in an area like a playroom with blue-gray walls. A few other options for creamy off-whites that I like are Creamy and Dover White. After you test these whites out, let me know what you think!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
How to tone down the brightness of Reflection
From the Reflection color scheme page Kristin asks:
Hey Laura!
We were looking to lighten up our downstairs from the khaki color our walls were from when we built. We have darker cabinets and floors. I wanted to paint our cabinets and built-ins, but the price is just too steep right now. So my husband picked Reflection and it has such a blue undertone. Well, let’s just say 3 rolls of tape, 5 gallons later, and a lot of work, it is brighter. So we accomplished one thing we set out to do. But, I do not love the blue undertone. We have Wool Skein trim, doors, and crown molding. Our dining room that attaches is Copen Blue. I feel like the Copen Blue and Reflection clash. I have one accent wall I was planning to do (mantle/fireplace/tv mounted). I was thinking to take away from the blue that maybe I could decorate with blues and whites and then a pop of yellow gold. I haven’t found a complimentary yellow/gold on the SW website. Any help on what color I could do the accent wall to down play the blue in Reflection or bring out the gray would be appreciated.
– Kristin
Hi Kristin,
Thanks for reaching out! Blues can be so tricky, so I understand your dilemma. Copen Blue has more of a green undertone and Reflection is a blue that has a tiny bit of a periwinkle undertone, so that would explain why they are looking off.
One way to fix it is to repaint your dining room, which I’m guessing has less wall space than the living room area. You could also try to tone down the brightness of the Reflection with a greige/taupe color for your accent wall. A color like Taupe Tone or Mega Greige could help.
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Best trim color to use with Dover White Walls
From the Dover White Reivew post Sara asks:
Hey Laura!
When using Dover White on the walls, which shade of white would you recommend as the trim? We don’t want to do all Dover White; we want a contrast between the trim and walls.
– Sara
Hi Sara,
Good question. Dover White has a slight creamy-yellow undertone that would pair well with a brighter white trim. Extra White is my go-to bright white trim that doesn’t have any weird undertones.
Going brighter white on the trim will create the best contrast against Dover White. I love creamy white walls with white trim for a fresh and clean interior feel! Send me some pictures after you finish painting. I would love to see the results!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
A Pop of Color for a Laundry Room Door
From the Pavestone color scheme page Bethany asks:
Hey Laura!
I’d like a pop of color for a modern style interior door to our laundry room, but I can’t get my nerve up to commit! The laundry room is off the entry way from the garage (4 glass panels) and everything around it is Bungalow Beige. There’s some visible Sealskin on the stair risers (treads are a medium oak). The only other visual to contend with is our Cherry Ekornes leather sectional which is at least 20 feet away but, still, something like Eros Pink would be out sadly! Thank you!
– Bethany
Hi Bethany,
Here are a few colors to try for your laundry room door:
Acacia Haze is a darker green-blue/gray and will complement the sectional, since red and green are complementary colors. Bungalow Beige is a taupe neutral that can go with several different colors, but definitely pairs well with Acacia Haze too! Let me know what you end up deciding!
Please feel free to sign up for a Interior Color Consultation if you need further help!
Laura
Leave more Comments!
I hope to continue to post answers to questions on a regular basis. So feel free to leave your comments! Each color scheme page and each blog post has a dedicated place to leave comments.
If you are in need of color help I would love to be your Color Consultant! You can hire me for an Interior or Exterior Color Consultation as well as for an eDesign. Or if you don’t have a need for a full blown consultation but would still like some help check out my Color Question Consultation.
Follow me on social media for more color ideas and inspiration!
- Laura
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