Sherwin Williams Gray Paints: Spotlight on Dorian Gray

Choosing the right paint color for your home can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to the timeless and versatile shades of gray. Sherwin Williams offers a stunning palette of gray paints that can bring sophistication and elegance to any space. As I prepare to paint our home, let’s delve into one of Sherwin Williams’ standout grays—Dorian Gray (SW 7017)—and explore some complementary white trims to complete the perfect look.

I am writing about this because we are getting ready to have our house painted on Monday. Today is Saturday, and I have not 100% committed to the final selection of the shade of gray paint I want our house to be. Which is why I am writing this. I want to sway my way to gray. Well, that’s not entirely true.

Why Gray?

Our house is already gray, and it is a Sherwin Williams gray. If I could just remember the name of the gray I used! I know what you’re thinking. I should have saved the color somewhere, so I would have it now. And honestly, I thought I did. But as I rummaged through my paint collection, the color sample was nowhere to be found.

While I do like the gray in our house right now, I want to go just a shade different. That’s what’s fun about gray—there are hundreds of variations.

Gray is a perfect neutral color that offers versatility and modernity. It fits seamlessly into various design styles, from contemporary to classic. Depending on how you use it, gray can serve as a serene backdrop or a statement-making centerpiece. Gray hues provide a balanced mix of warm and cool undertones, making them a favorite among homeowners and designers alike. Which is probably one of the reasons I love it so much.

Spotlight on Sherwin Williams Dorian Gray (SW 7017)

Dorian Gray is a medium-toned gray that exudes a sophisticated charm. It’s a perfect blend of warm and cool undertones, which makes it highly adaptable to different lighting conditions and surrounding colors. Here’s why Dorian Gray could be the ideal choice for your home:

Versatility: Whether your style is a modern farmhouse, sleek contemporary, or cozy traditional, Dorian Gray complements a variety of design aesthetics.

Balance: It strikes the perfect balance between light and dark, providing a rich depth without overwhelming the space.

Adaptability: This gray works well with both cool and warm color schemes, making it easy to pair with other colors and decor elements.

Timeless Appeal: Gray is a timeless color that never goes out of style, ensuring your home remains elegant and classic for years to come.

Choosing the Perfect White Trim

While Dorian Gray makes a stunning statement as the main color for our home, pairing it with the right white trim will elevate the overall aesthetic. Sherwin-Williams offers a range of beautiful whites that can complement Dorian Gray perfectly. Here are a few options I am considering:

Alabaster (SW 7008): A warm, creamy white that provides a soft contrast against Dorian Gray. Alabaster adds a touch of warmth without clashing with the gray’s subtle cool undertones.

Pure White (SW 7005): A classic, clean white that offers a crisp and bright trim. Pure White provides a striking contrast and sharpens the overall look of your home, creating a fresh and modern feel.

Snowbound (SW 7004): A slightly cool white with a touch of gray undertone. Snowbound harmonizes beautifully with Dorian Gray, maintaining a cohesive and serene color palette.

Extra White (SW 7006): For a more contemporary look, Extra White offers a bright, almost stark white that can make Dorian Gray stand out even more. It’s perfect for a high-contrast, modern aesthetic.

Tips for Painting Your Home

Deciding on a color palette you like is completely different in the store from what the color will look like on the house. Trust me, I know. Just because something looks great at the paint counter doesn’t mean you are going to love the color once you slather it all over your house. Once you pick out the color and it’s mixed, that’s it. You are committed. Let me give you an example: my barn.

Committed to the Color

A few months ago, I decided it was time to repaint. Sometimes, I get a little ‘froggy’, as my husband calls it, and I go crazy with updates for our home. Once I set my mind to something, that is all I can seem to focus on—case in point, my barn.

This is my horse barn. It’s nothing fancy, for sure. But about five or six years ago, I decided to paint it with Rustoleum paint. I thought the paint job would last on the metal siding because it’s an oil-based paint. Well, I thought wrong. Over the years, the paint peeled and faded, so I decided to paint it a lighter gray.

Sherwin Williams Gray Paints: Spotlight on Dorian Gray

I did my research, and I learned that you can paint metal siding with latex or water-based paint. It needs to be acrylic paint, but you can do it. Sherwin Williams has acrylic paint. Yay! So I decided to choose a gray that is just so popular. Did I get a sample first? Nope. I just bought 3 gallons of paint with the intention of painting both of these barns Repose Gray.

Avoiding a Costly Mistake

After prepping the horse barn, I started painting. And boy, oh boy, this was not the gray I thought it would be! It was SO much lighter than the gray I had on the barn. After painting just a small part, I was thinking about stopping.

But then I remembered I had spent nearly $300 on paint. So, at this point, I was committed. I had no choice. I had already bought the paint, and I wasn’t going to waste it. Once the barn was finished, I decided I did like the color.

I also gave the wood posts, trim, and hitching post two coats of white barn paint. I like the contrasting colors of the white and gray, but the gray is still pretty light. It is too light for the main body color of the exterior of our house, I think. But to make sure of my color choice, this time, I am bringing samples home before committing to it with the painters.

Tips for Successful House Painting

So learn from my mistake, and follow these tips before painting your house:

Test Samples: Before making a final decision, apply samples of Dorian Gray and your chosen white trim on different parts of your house. Observe how they look in various lighting conditions throughout the day.

Consider Undertones: Pay attention to the undertones in both the gray and white paints. Ensure they complement each other to avoid any clashing hues.

Think About Finishes: The finish of the paint can affect the overall look. For exterior painting, a satin or semi-gloss finish is often recommended for its durability and ease of cleaning.

Accents and Details: Don’t forget to consider how other elements of your home—like the roof, windows, and landscaping—will interact with your chosen paint colors.

Sherwin Williams Gray Paints: Spotlight on Dorian Gray

Choosing the right gray paint can transform your home into a stylish and elegant space. Dorian Gray by Sherwin Williams offers a perfect blend of sophistication and versatility, making it an excellent choice for the body color of your home. Pairing it with the right white trim, such as Alabaster, Pure White, Snowbound, or Extra White, will enhance its beauty and create a harmonious look.

I hope that the colors I have chosen will look good together. We are investing a lot of money in having our home painted professionally rather than doing it ourselves, which is what I have always done. It’s hard to hand over the painting, but painting a house is a big job and very time-consuming. At some point, you have to decide what is more important, time or money. For me, my time is much more important. And I want the exterior to look perfect. So I came to the conclusion having our house professionally painted was the way to go. My husband, on the other hand, is having a tough time with how much it is costing. But I think once it is done, he will be pleased. At least, I hope he is!

If you are considering painting the exterior of your home, take your time to test and evaluate your color choices. With Sherwin Williams exceptional range of paints, you’re sure to find the perfect combination to make your home look stunning.

Happy painting!