Color Crush:  ORANGE + GRAY

via

I popped into a few home decor stores over the weekend and after about the third store a color trend started to reveal itself.  It’s no surprise that with the coming of fall you’re beginning to see shades of orange in decorative accessories, linens and wall decor but what’s making orange feel fresh is a mix of gray. This quiet neutral has shaken off its bad rap. Gray has not only replaced beige as being the “It” neutral, but grays are now synonymous with style, sophistication and glamour.

Here are my three reasons for loving Orange + Gray…

1)  the combination is sophisticated but has a relaxed feel

2) the color combo is gender neutral and can work in just about every room of a home

3)  both orange and gray mix well with black, white and neutrals which makes these colors really versatile

♦♦♦

In the bedroom, orange and gray feels luxurious and rich.  A charcoal gray with slightly blue undertones lends a feeling of masculinity and the orange keeps the overall feeling energized and modern.

via 

Don’t be afraid to mix shades of neutral and gray, Greige which can create a really dynamic colors palette for decorating.  In this living room, a mix of grey, neutral and orange help to create depth and dimension.

via 

I think orange and gray is a great color combo for a piece of hand painted furniture–business on the outside and party on the inside

via

Natural wood combined with orange and deep gray tones create a warm, rustic feel and the addition of black helps to ground the space and add a layer of dimension.

via 

I never would have imagined orange and gray in a floral arrangement but the colors are so beautiful together.  I’ll definitely be using this color combination for fall decorating.

via

Do you have a fall party of the calendar?  If so, consider orange and gray as the color palette and if it’s a Halloween party, just add black for a sophisticated twist on spooky decorating.

via  

via

Accents of crisp white give orange and medium shades of gray a modern, urban feel

via  

and when lighter shades of gray are used as accents against a mostly white palette, the feeling is sophisticated and elegant.

via

Like white, selecting a gray paint color can be challenging.  Here are a few things to consider:

♥ Shades of light gray have become a really popular paint color and is the perfect solution when a bit of color is desired but you still want to maintain a light, airy feel.  Many lighter shades of gray actually have a silver undertone which gives the color a bit of sheen under bright lights and adds a subtle glow to a room.  Lighter shades of gray will work in every room of the home and are one of my favorite colors for a bedroom, bathroom, home office or ceiling color.

♥  Medium shades of gray will add warmth and richness to a space without making it appear dark and dreary. Medium tones mix well with neutrals, black and wood tones are great to use in larger rooms to crate a cozy feel.

♥  You’ve probably heard the term Greige before and may not have realized what it meant.  Greige is a blend of gray and beige creating a warm neutral that is ideal to use in rooms with gold, bronze or brass accents.  Greige walls are also a nice alternative to traditional neutrals are ideal for a living room, family room or kitchen.

♥  Deep charcoal grays have a luxurious and elegant feel to them and are stunning when paired with white trim, jewel tones or primary colors.  Shades of charcoal are best in rooms that get lots of  natural sunlight which will prevent the room from feeling like a cave.

There are lots of opinions on the best gray paint colors but this round-up highlights my favorites:

via

And, if you’ve ever wondered whether it’s GReY or GRaY here’s the scoop…

Gray (with an “A”) is the preferred choice in American English. 

Grey (with an “E”) is the preferred choice in British English. If you find yourself writing to a British audience in an English newspaper or magazine, grey is the word choice you will want to use.

So when it comes the Orange and Gray, does this color combo get a thumbs up or thumbs down?