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Does anybody have a room painted dark grey?

39 replies

BedHog · 31/12/2012 09:42

Our bedroom needs painting, and I'm thinking about using a mid/dark grey. I've seen it used a lot on tv room sets, mainly for glossy American dramas and sitcoms, and when done right I think it looks dramatic and classy. Plus it's neutral so I'll be able to use all sorts of different colours for the bedding, pictures, accessories etc.

I suspect it's a tricky colour to get right though, so I'd like some advice about choosing which grey to use. I want to avoid the room looking like a battleship or a bleak cold-war-era Hungarian prison. I'd like white woodwork, but maybe a chalky white rather than brilliant. The floor is wooden and it's a Victorian house with high ceilings and fancy cornicing, if that makes any difference. I realise dark rooms need good lighting so I've bought an amazing large contemporary ceiling light for the room, and will add other lights as necessary.

Does anybody have any recommendations for grey paints that will give me the desired effect, or chalky whites, or recommendations about paint finishes - satin, matt, gloss etc., or any other advice?

Thanks! Smile

OP posts:
noddyholder · 31/12/2012 14:29

Ooh yes i love that!

InNeedOfBrandy · 31/12/2012 14:29

Does anyone like the American type of look with dark grey skirting and doors?

noddyholder · 31/12/2012 14:30

yes brandy its great in the right house.

InNeedOfBrandy · 31/12/2012 14:32

I really really like it but I have a small flat with lots of doors for rooms and inbuilt cupboards but if I had a huge house with a lovely square hall I'd so have it.

wilkos · 31/12/2012 14:37

My north facing bedroom is dove grey by Dulux, was the first room I have ever painted a dark colour and I did have a little wobble after the first coat but now I love it. Its really cosy!

The ceiling and cornicing are bright white with wooden floorboards and the contrast is great, I have dark grey textured curtains, a black metal bed and a black Hemnes chest of drawers from Ikea, and an oatmeal rug on the floor.

It looks mighty fine as far as I'm concerned Grin

noddyholder · 31/12/2012 14:41

That sounds lovely

DameDoom · 31/12/2012 15:08

My living room and kitchen are both downpipe by F&B - including all woodwork and ceilings. Go onto designer Abigail Ahern's website - she has a fantastic blog with amazing photos. I'm in process of painting hall and stairs in F&B railings. Come over to the dark side -it's so chic and cosy.

DameDoom · 31/12/2012 15:12

By the way Downpipe looks different colours at different times of day. Sometimes it's petrol blue, others deep teal. It's very velvety and rich looking ... not at all battleship.

TheCatInTheHairnet · 31/12/2012 15:22

I'm so bored of grey. It's everywhere at the moment and, even though I think it looks lovely, it always makes me sigh a bit. It's like the 2012 Magnolia.

noddyholder · 31/12/2012 15:25

I have been house hunting and grey is everywhere you are right. It was hugely popular about 4 years ago but does look a bit magnolia. Thats interiors though.

MaitreKarlsson · 31/12/2012 16:11

A friend had a beautiful dark room and said it was painted in 'bowler hat' - was amazing but very dark at night...hth

BedHog · 31/12/2012 17:16

I'm going to have a look at all your suggestions on the colour charts and then get some tester pots I think. As a few of you have said, much depends on the room so best to see them in situ.

Really? Grey the new magnolia? I think I've only seen it in one house. Lots of white and magnolia round here, or whatever the middle class F&B equivalent of magnolia is! My own house is a mixture of reds, blues, gold, purple, with metallics and glitter, so neutrals are new to me!!

OP posts:
BedHog · 31/12/2012 17:17

Thanks everybody! Grin

OP posts:
FellatioNelson · 31/12/2012 18:51

I find that all the F&B colours have a chameleon like quality and change depending on the time of day Damedoom.

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