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In a previous post, we talked a little about how using a neutral color palette in your design can create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere for certain areas in your home. That's especially important for a room like a master bedroom, a place of rest and relaxation. A room that if too colorful might leave you feeling energized and amped up, which is not necessarily best when you are preparing to rest your head on your pillow at night.

For some people, when they hear 'neutral,' they automatically think brown, beige, or white. While those colors do fall within a neutral color palette, neutral is much broader than you might imagine.

One such color that falls within this palette is gray and its many variations. Going with a gray color palette allows you to give your room a more chic and elegant appearance while still providing a serene backdrop against which your furniture and accessories can take center stage. It also offers abundant opportunities to introduce other colors and hues within a room. Sophisticated and stylish, gray is a favorite among many of today's designers.

This stunning master bedroom shows how gray can impress.

Gray walls provide a twist on the traditional neutral look while also giving the room plenty of color and dimension. This specific shade of gray also reads very elegant and refined, which reflects the style and overall feel of this room. 

But gray isn't simply gray. Charcoal gray, ash gray, slate gray, smokey gray, blue gray, pewter, silver - the list is endless. Some shades have warmer undertones while others are a little cooler. Some have more blue while others have a hint of green. Others are rich while still others are light and airy. Just as with any color palette, it's important to consider natural lighting, room size, furniture and accessories, and mood when choosing paint colors. Go with shades of gray that complement the undertones in the furnishings of a room as well as shades that look good in both natural and ambient lighting. 

For this particular master bedroom, the paint colors were all custom; however, the following colors are similar to the ones used in this home {left to right}:

• SW 0055 Light French Gray
• SW 7660 Earl Gray
• SW 7636 Origami White
• SW 7643 Pussywillow

In the room below, the natural lighting combines with gray walls to create a light and airy space. The artwork above the bed also stands out against the neutral color and creates a nice focal point.

{Paint color: Anew Gray (SW7030)}

This gorgeous stand-alone tub makes a statement against the cool gray walls in this master bath.

{Paint color: Sherwin Williams Canvas Tan (SW7531)}

Here, gray flows effortlessly throughout this open living area and gives emphasis to the wood beams and dark interior window trim beautifully.

{Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams Anew Gray (SW7030); Walls-Flat; Ceilings-Flat; Casings-Semi Gloss |Windows- Sherwin Williams Urbane Bronze Satin Finish} 

Our design team personally loves a neutral gray color palette. Here are a few of their favorite go-to gray paint colors.

{From left to right}::

• Pediment (SW7634)
• Amazing Gray (SW7044)
• Gauntlet Gray(SW7019)
• Intellectual Gray (SW7045)
• Analytical Gray (SW7051)
• Repose Gray (SW7015)

When it comes to choosing neutral colors, do you like beiges and browns or are you a fan of gray?

If you like the look of the stunning master bedroom from this lake home, we're showing you how you can get the look yourself as part of our Designers' Corner section of our online boutique. Learn how you can purchase the gorgeous bed, bedside chest and many of the room's accessories.

Additional images from this lake home can be found on our Web site.

Photos by: Rachael Boling