Colorless Colors

I can't believe it's already a year since I last looked at paint colors! Remember the guest room makeover, changing bland to French? Linen ~ oatmeal ~ cream. The colors on the top paint strip below were the front runners. These warm cream shades were the ones I chose, following much trepidation. Happy to say they worked well and I still love them, and the guest room.

Notes from a very French book might tell one how to find the right shade of grey.....if one knew on which page to look. I just bet the French had already perfected grey even in the 19th century.

One of a set of three French 1865 illustrated journals.

Or, put the alternative plan into action. Look, sigh, pick, choose, then exit that paint store armed with miniature sample jars, mixed quart paint cans, paint chip strips, lots of wood stirrers, a long cash register receipt, and buckets of frustration.

Look sideways at a blank canvas for inspiration. Those 'Linen White' walls. The 'White Sneakers' paint color on the dresser. Try to see them in gentle shades of French Grey.

Remove a few large mirrors and the framed tulip prints from the walls. Important, place a drop cloth, or your dish towel, on the floor. Take an old paintbrush, the one you save for testing colors, hues and shades. Slap, oops, too messy that way. I mean, gently brush a strip of each color in the vacant spaces ~ you can hide them later by rehanging everything until you're ready for the big day. Glance at them in sunshine, through cloud cover, under chandelier light, candlelight.......and definitely moonlight. They will never look the same. Now you're back at square one again.......but vow you will not return to the paint shop to start over.

Didn't you always envy people who get to pick the cute names for lipsticks and nail polish? What a fun job. How about naming paint while watching it dry!

Some thought provoking grey names..................

Polar Star

Calm

Stony Ground

Gravity

Metropolis

Elephant's Breath

Stormy Monday

My final choice doesn't have a fancy name. It's just good old 'Classic Gray' ~ the lightest shade on the right on the wall above. I'm hoping that test strip isn't playing with my mind. Please let it be the right one. You'll know in a couple of days.

What to do with those sample pots and quart cans? Buy some new, shiny, empty cans. Start pouring, mixing, and stirring those grey grays and blue greys together. Maybe I'll invent the perfect darker shade of French Grey...............I'm going to paint the dresser next!