Does your gray turn blue?
When it’s blue! Colors change with the light of day so be really careful when choosing your grays because you’re bound to be a little blue from time to time if you choose Uncertain Gray.
I just visited a client yesterday who had this color in their living room. They were actually looking for a gray and thought this would be a good choice, after all, it clearly says “gray” in the name.
After they painted their two story living room and looked at their new color they were surprised to find out that it was really more blue than gray.
“We thought we would get a gray!” they said. I responded with a “well you will, sometimes.”
I know that sounds silly but some colors, especially these muted hues, change like a crazy chameleon! Lighting really plays such a tremendous role in viewing any color. The funny thing is that Uncertain Gray looks grayer on the chip but when I held it up to their painted wall, it was a perfect match. This is one of those times when I too scratch my head in disbelief.
Uncertain Gray is really a great color and a popular one at that but be warned, it will look more blue than gray. Don’t let the name fool you. Just because it says “gray” in the name doesn’t mean it’s a gray. Is this a true blue? Heck no! Is it a true gray. Nope. It’s clearly “uncertain” exactly what color this is but I can tell you, it’s a winner.
Decorating by Donna • Intuitive Color Expert 
Great article, Donna! I’m looking at some grays for my place and I DO NOT want to end up with blue. I’m tacking the paint chips on the wall and seeing what they look like during different times of day and also what they look like up against other colors.
Oh I’d love to know the names of those grays! Some look green, some look blue and some look lavender. Let me know which one you choose.
I’ll let know!!!
Fantastic information, Donna. Paint names are fun, but don’t always completely describe the actual colors. Recently, in searching for dark greens with someone, she liked a Sherwin Williams color, Country Squire (SW 6475). It’s listed in the Greens category and is a gorgeous color. BUT further research showed it to have more blue than green, and it wasn’t at all what she wanted.
Your posts are always so helpful for everyone.
Thanks for sharing, and wishes to all for a safe, happy Memorial Day Weekend.
It’s funny about 6475 Cheryl. I chose a similar color for my clients pool room and she said it was too green. These “teal” colors are at the cusp of going either way. One shift of lighting can and will make a world of difference to either side. Thanks for liking my blog! It means a lot to me xo
The availability of varying Gray’s on the market is enough to drive one insane. It is always advisable to run a course of samples on site – to ensure you select the perfect shade of gray.
This is true! You would think that choosing gray would be easy – NOT – so much to consider and sampling is always highly recommend.
We have Uncertain Grey in our kitchen, living room, and hallway. What colors would you recommend for our dining and family room? I’m looking for something that will flow nicely through our downstairs
Thank you!
Oh that can be so many colors! It depends on what color your flooring is, your kitchen countertops, your deco – I like to tie everything in. However, Uncertain Grey is a cool gray so you’ll have to stick to cool tones. I know I didn’t help much here but I’d really need to see your home before I can suggest some colors for you.
Our floors are a natural cherry wood and our granite countertops have yellows, Browns,cream, and flecks of black in it. Not sure if that’s helpful or not. I don’t want to have grey (or blue) overload but I do like Revere Pewter and colors similar to that
Did you try sampling the colors you like? I also don’t know where you live so that also factors in. Sounds like a Virtual Color Consultation may help you. Email me at: DecoratingbyDonna@mac.com
NOT a winner with me!! Don’t want our livingroom to look like a baby nursery!! Terrible color. Took it back at least three times to have it manually tinted. It still looks blue! Stay away from this color!!
This is a really tricky color!!!!! Sometimes it looks blue sometimes – gray – be a careful is right.
What color would be a good accent wall color for this gray? Looking for something that might warm it up a bit.
Sherry, that would depend on the rest of the colors in your home. What color is your flooring, you sofa, you decor? Based on just this wall color, maybe a Navy or Indigo would be nice. I know navy is not a warm color but neither is this gray. Keep the undertones the same.
Thank you for the reply!! Most of my furniture is warm colored. My sofa is beige. I was thinking Navy initially but then wondered if I should do my accent wall in a warm color to tie the walls in with furniture
Plus you’l have lots of decor that will have navy accents to tie it all in. I say go for it!
Hi Donna,
I recently purchased uncertain gray for my hall bathroom and am terrified now! We have revere pewter on most of the walls. Can I paint the bathroom a cool color when most of the rooms are warm colors?
OMG! Uncertain Gray is such a trickster! Also Revere Pewter is one of the worst grays in my opinion. I don’t like its yellow/green undertone. As a matter of fact, I had a virtual color consult REDO from a VERY well know “true color expert” in Canada a few years back. She chose Revere Pewter for someones entire inside of the house and the client was so upset and didn’t want to make waves with her, so I helped the client. Grays are my last choice for interiors. They are ok to unify some foyers but I really stay away from them.
To answer your question, Revere Pewter is warm so you’d have to keep that undertone for the rest of your home. Also, I usually keep halls a light color, Westhighland White is my #1 choice to lighten and brighter especially if it connects with all the other rooms in the house. Good luck sweetie, contact me for a consult if you need help. I’ll need to see pictures of your home.
Great article. Some of us can’t tell what eye color we have. We were always told they were blue. But we’ve come to realize they are more gray than blue — blue gray vs. gray blue. And they have a touch of green — SOMETIMES. They look different, based on lighting, clothing colors, colors in the room. Like paint colors on the walls. They seem a little darker than Uncertain Gray. Perhaps Even Less Certain Gray.
Would paint chips be a good way, just out of curiosity, for me to figure out my eye color? I know it’s not exact, because chips are paint, and eyes are living and luminous.
I guess if you could find a paint chip that closely resembles your eyes but keep in mind, that your eyes have many colors, and the paint chips have just one flat hue. It would be cool to know which paint chip your eyes looked like!
What do think of Uncertain Gray with white trim for exterior? I want that coastal look but I am little chicken to do the really blue colors. I was thinking Uncertain gray or Morning fog. Thoughts?
Both colors seem to be nice but it depends on where you live and how the sun hits your home. You’ll have to sample them and see which one looks best for your home. It should be ok, those grays have a slight blue look to them so you will capture the coastal feel.