Posted on October 2, 2022 by KylieMawdsley
Benjamin Moore Collingwood – not your everyday warm gray!
If you’ve been perusing Pinterest lately, you may have noticed that the shift is starting – from cool to warm, gray to greige and taupe. Sure, it’s a sloooow shift, but in my Color Consulting adventures, I’m getting more and more requests for the warmer end of things.
BUT… some grays are more likely to straddle worlds as they aren’t as committed to a traditionally cool gray look. And in this department, the winner-winner chicken dinner HAS to be Benjamin Moore Collingwood.
WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS COLLINGWOOD? IS IT GRAY OR BEIGE?
Collingwood is a gray paint color. And while it’s certainly warmer than a traditional shade of gray, it’s NOT warm enough to step into the taupe or greige end of things and is DEFINITELY not beige or anywhere near it.
IS COLLINGWOOD A WARM GRAY OR COOL GRAY PAINT COLOR?
Collingwood is a WARM gray paint color with a gorgeous softness that suits a wide range of interior and exterior finishes.
What is a warm gray? Traditionally, gray is a cool color with either blue, green or violet undertones. Once you add a bit of brown-beige to the mix, it becomes a warm gray (it’s actually way more technical than that, but I’m a meat n’ potatoes gal here).
WHAT ARE COLLINGWOOD’S UNDERTONES – WILL IT LOOK PURPLE?
Collingwood has a soft, slightly violet (purple) undertone. Will your walls be violet? Well, if you have a north-facing room and a hate-on for violet, it might make you twitch – just a bit. But generally speaking, the violet is more about the softness of the color. This undertone is also a GREAT way to get GRAY without blue or green. Just keep in mind, given the WRONG influence, almost ANY gray can pick up a subtle blue or green undertone.
In this kitchen (below), notice how the undertone of Collingwood rises on the left-hand side. I LOVE it, but it’s unusual, as the undertone is USUALLY more passive (considerably). To get this actual look, you may need a color with MORE undertone or even a color that’s more of a violet hue.
This next photo shows Collingwood’s violet undertone in a more natural state…
WHAT’S THE LRV OF COLLINGWOOD?
The LRV of Collingwood is 62 (61.52) – MY MAGIC NUMBER! If you’ve read my previous blog posts on LRV, you’ll know this is a pretty rad number. If you haven’t read those posts, you get SLAPPED with a wet noodle and better get your reading glasses on…
62 is a great LRV because it’s a depth the ‘average room’ can handle. With Collingwood having this LRV, if your room gets adequate lighting (natural or otherwise), it will hold its own. If you have an OVERLY bright room, any paint color with this LRV (or higher) will wash out, as will Collingwood.
On the other hand, if you have a slightly darker room, Collingwood has a noticeable depth without looking too dark (although that would be open to perception). In the words of the late great Goldilocks – it’s juuuuust right.
In this hallway with dark wood flooring, Collingwood looks classic and soft…
And while it might not be the perfect COLOR for every room, its LRV sets it up for success.
Click HERE or on the above image to see available packages!
Let’s take a quick break to talk about paint samples…
Undoubtedly, you’ll be heading out in the near future to grab paint samples – stop right there! I want you to check out SAMPLIZE. Samplize offers peel-and-stick paint samples that are more AFFORDABLE, EASIER and more ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY than traditional paint pots. Here are just a few reasons why I recommend Samplize to my clients…
- samples arrive ON YOUR DOORSTEP in 1-3 business days, depending on the location
- they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needed for traditional paint sampling
- if you keep the samples on their white paper, you can move them around the room
Visit the SAMPLIZE website HERE
COLLINGWOOD IN A NORTH-FACING ROOM
North-facing light is a cool gray light that can pick up a weee hint of blue. Just like cool light bulbs, northern light can slightly enhance other cool colors, so in a north-facing room, you can expect Collingwood to look less warm gray and more neutral gray, while still keeping a soft subtle violet undertone.
In the above photo, look at the highest part of the wall, just above the closet. This shows Collingwood in its normal glory.
However, if you have a north-facing room and want a gray, but not a cold gray, you MIGHT need to go into the light greige or taupe range as Collingwood might not be enough to hit your happy place.
COLLINGWOOD IN A SOUTH-FACING ROOM
In a south-facing room, Collingwood is a nice, neutral way to cool down that warm yellow light coming in the windows, offering some neutral but not COLD balance.
These next two rooms showcase Collingwood in what is likely, south-facing light…
If you have a south-facing room and LOVE a more traditional gray, you might not find Collingwood cool enough. If so, check out a more traditional cool gray like Gray Owl, Big Chill or Stonington Gray.
Benjamin Moore Gray Owl: Paint Color Review
Paint Color Review: Sherwin Williams Big Chill
Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
COLLINGWOOD IN AN EAST OR WEST-FACING ROOM
Oooo, these rooms are buggers. While north and south-facing rooms have more consistency throughout the day, east and west-facing rooms change quite drastically. Here are a few tips to help decide if Collingwood can work for you…
EAST-FACING ROOM
In the morning, Collingwood will look lovely and quite natural. In the afternoon, it can fall a bit flat and drab if you don’t have adequate interior lighting.
WEST-FACING ROOM
In the morning, Collingwood will look a touch flat and drab. However, in the afternoon, it will shift into a GORGEOUS soft, warm gray.
The key is to figure out what time of day you spend the most time in your room and see how Collingwood feels in that light.
North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?
WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR FOR COLLINGWOOD?
Collingwood does love a slightly cleaner approach. I would lean into Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace the most, but as shown below, Simply White is also a beautiful choice.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLLINGWOOD & BALBOA MIST?
In the battle of Collingwood vs Balboa Mist, the MAIN difference is in depth. Both colors are in the LIGHT range. However, Collingwood is a bit darker (LRV of 62), whereas Balboa Mist is a bit lighter (LRV of 65.5).
You might also notice a bit more warmth in Balboa Mist, but it still sits as a great partner in a palette with Collingwood (i.e. in adjoining rooms). As for undertones, while both Balboa and Collingwood share a violet undertone, Balboa is more likely to lean a touch violet-pink.
WHAT COLORS GO WITH COLLINGWOOD?
Collingwood is a darn versatile shade of gray and enjoys color partners such as…
- darker and lighter grays with blue-green undertones
- a wide range of white paint colors, including bright whites and warm whites
- muted earth-toned blue-grays and green-grays
WHAT DARK COLORS GO WITH COLLINGWOOD?
If you want to paint a feature wall, some cabinets or even your front door, Collingwood has some BEAUTIFUL dark friends you can check out…
- darker grays with similar undertones
- dark blue-gray blends, including blue-violets and blue-greens
- popular navy blue paint colors, including Benjamin Moore Hale Navy
Want something a bit different? I GOT MORE!
RELATED BLOG POSTS
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Nimbus
The 12 Best WHOLE HOME Gray & Greige Paint Colors
Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Classic Gray
The Best Benjamin Moore Gray Paint Colors
Need HELP?
Check out my Online Paint Color Packages!
Chat soon,
This post was originally published in 2017 but was updated and revamped in 2022
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Kylie I love reading your blog. You mention how color changes in different light. Also which way the room faces makes a big difference. What happens when you have a room with three large windows facing east, north and south?? Hard to follow when it says if you have a East facing room or a north facing the color will pick up this undertone.. So if the room faces east with a window, but has windows on the north and side do I still go by a east facing room.? So confused…I’m I just reading to much into this…
Author
Hi Kathleen! You’re right, sometimes we get so caught up in something that we need to step back – I do it with my home ALL the time, I over think the heck out of it! It can be about when you use the room the most, or which exposure is the dominant one. In the end, it ‘sounds’ like your room will be relatively flexible, more so than a room with only 1 exposure, so I think you probably have a good range to consider and can put more focus on coordinating with the products in your home (ie: countertops/flooring/furnishings). If I ever HAD to choose an exposure to honour, I PERSONALLY would lean to the south over the north, but that’s because I generally prefer slightly warmer colours – someone who prefers cooler colours would lean to the northern/cool end!
I hope that helps 🙂
~Kylie
Would this color look ok in a north facing-wall of windows room with a warm beige stone fireplace and maple windows? A lot of people are trying to update the warm beige/browns with the popular gray/greige colors but it’s seems like it would be hard to do if your not willing to paint the wood trim or change a fireplace facade. How do you bring in a Collingwood color with the warmer unchangeables in a home ? Btw, my daughter is a Kylie M too!
Author
Hi Lori! Collingwood is pretty flexible. I’ve found it can flex a bit more into it’s gray, subtle purple MORE in a north facing room, so you’ll want to see how it settles for you. If it’s just a bit gray, you might need to warm things up a bit! If you’d like me to take a look at your room I do have an affordable and fun E-design service! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-west-facing-rooms/
~Kylie
I am getting collingwood in my room and it has north and west windows so I would like to know which colours would really complement the room.
Hi Kylie,
I’ve painted most of the interior of my home BM Revere Pewter, but find it a bit too muddy and dark in my north facing (very small) kitchen with limited light due to a big tree in front of my window.
Do you think Collingwood would work as a replacement on my kitchen walls, and do you feel it will it ‘blend’ well enough with the rest of the Revere Pewter walls throughout the house?
PS – love your site and all your posts. Thank you so much form Kelowna!!
Author
Oh Tammie, it’s hard to say! There’s so much to consider – not just the Revere Pewter in the adjoining rooms. Even MORE important are the countertops, cabinet colour, flooring, etc… so while they certainly find together, I can’t say it will look good in your own kitchen – but it is a beautiful colour and will be fresher than RP!
Thanks for this. My husband picked Revere Pewter and I picked Collingwood. We have White Dove trim. We plan to do the family room/kitchen (all open). Also the 2 story foyer and hallway.
TIme to get the swatches on the wall and see what happens!!
Great article! Just the info I was looking for! What color trim works best with Collingwood? Thank you! Beth
Author
Good good – that’s what I like to hear! For trim colour, I might look at BM White Dove for a soft warm, but not too creamy approach, or keep it CLEAN AND CRISP with Super White!
Kylie, I’m a huge fan! I’m a color consultant in Northern California and find my taste and esthetic very similar to yours. Thank you for your witty and informative blogs!. I’m a Sherwin Williams gal. Do you have a fave SW that compares to Collingwood?
Author
Well, thank you Barbi! Oh, I do looooove Collingwood and SW just doesn’t have one that quite hits it. The best would probably be SW Agreeable Gray, but it would need to be lightened to hit the right depth. Modern Gray is also similar…ish, but warmer/more greige…
When it comes to Collingwood, I’d be more inclined to ask SW to colour match the actual paint chip right into their brand 🙂
Thanks for writing!
~Kylie
Best design blog on paint on the web
Author
Wow, thank you Mariza – that made my day!
Agree – I find you so entertaining AND informative Kylie!
Author
WAHOOOO, thank you 🙂
Good article! Thanks Kylie! Would love to hear your thoughts on BM Baby Fawn, Cedar Key and Pale Oak.
Wendy
Author
Hi Wendy, thank you for the note! Now those colours could ALL get blog posts on their own, so I can’t go too far with my thoughts. In general, these are all soft, feminine warm gray/greiges. If you are wanting to avoid the blue/green type of grays and like a softer touch, they are very valid choices!
~Kylie
Love the color….I was going to use revere peweter but I saw it in a home with lots of light and in a bedroom with not so much. I think I’ll go with this choice.
I have to paint the ceiling in the bedroom, could I do a darker Greyish/blue color?
Author
Hi Tana, yes I think you could pull that off, absolutely!
I love love this color! I have a swatch on the wall and so far like it a lot. Your post helped me pick this color so thank you. Its between this one and Colonnade Gray lightened by 25% I just want to see if any funny business will happen with Collingwood in east and west facing rooms?
Thank you.
Author
Hi Jadena, that’s a tough one! I have seen Collonade pick up a tiny (tiny) wink of green. Big deal, no, as long as you’re okay with that (and it’s rare that it shows up to the party). I lean a bit more toward Collingwood…
What Sherwin Williams color is most like Collingwood Gray?
Author
Well, Collingwood is a creature unto itself! The closest you could probably get is SW Agreeable Gray, lightened by 25%…
Hi! I have a brick fireplace and it clearly has some purple undertones to it, so I was hoping to math the undertones to my fireplace, but whatever color I choose will go throughout my kitchen, living room, and dining area (all open concept). We have 8 foot ceilings across, and a decent amount of windows, so I’d like to brighten the space up a bit, without if feeling “white” everywhere. Collingwood seems like the undertones could be good, but seems like it might be a bit dark for this much space. Any suggestions for a similar color but one that might brighten up the space a bit?
Author
A colour like BM Balboa Mist is pretty, the undertones can come up a WINK more though.
Hi Kylie! I am painting my house in Collingwood thanks to your suggestion! I want to do a couple accent walls. I tried to buy Escarpment at Home Depot but they don’t have it in their system. Are there any other accent wall colors you’d recommend? Thank you!
Author
Hey Christy, good to hear from you! On a softer note, BM Thunder is really pretty and a more striking one, BM Metropolis…I also LOOOOVE SW Dorian Gray…
Short of that, if you can get the Escarpment chip from BM, Home Depot will be able to match it for you!
I want to use BM Stone Harbor for my laundry room. There are no windows in the room. Can I use the same colour for the ceiling?
Author
If it’s a flat ceiling you can, if you have adequate lighting. If it’s textured, I wouldn’t…
Considering this color for our living room, kitchen and entryway, LR and entryway face east, kitchen west, great lighting with windows, skylights, can lighting.
I was leaning toward SW Agreeable Gray until I saw Collingwood! I am trying to get a nice gray paint with a warm feeling and want to avoid the cooler blue tones of other grays without going too brown. This color seems like a nice compromise. Our furniture is neutral leathers and warm teak. Your opinion??
Author
Hi Susan, could be a nice choice! I’m hesitant to say anything for sure without photos – but I DO love Collingwood!
The house is unfinished, just finished drywall this week. Power line in but not yet turned on, but hopefully soon. I am trying to get ahead of the game so to speak and narrow down some of my choices. I did walk through twice this week at different times of the day. I am headed to the paint store tomorrow, saved drywall pieces and cut them down to 2×2 foot pieces which my husband has primed. Once painted I can move them around during the day and night to see how all of them look. I think this color will work well, guess I’ll find out! I had also looked at SW Passive and BM Stoningham but fear they will go blue on me.
I have 2 runs of hallways that will only be lit with wall sconces and solatubes. Thinking to go lighter with BM Shoreline there and in our entry hall. The wall sconces are ceramic and a medium granite gray color.
Great LRV info on your site, it has helped a lot!
I painted my entire house in collingwood two years ago and I love it. I would like to do an accent wall in the master bedroom in witg blue tones. Is there a paint colour that would match collingwood or should I stay with the colours you have suggested. The bedroom faces south – lots of light.
Collingwood matched my Bellingham quart in the kitchen and then we went with it throughout.
I am happy to see you love collingwood!
I have been scouring your blog for the past few weeks trying to soak up as much information I can. You really know your stuff and you are amazing and hilarious at putting this in a way we would understand it! Personally my poor husband has painted our living room three colours now and about ten sample colours now and nothing has hit that jackpot. We have dark walnut floors, brown couches and we’re just trying to give the room a more modern look, so we assumed grey! But we have two large east facing windows that seem to change every colour as soon as we put it on the wall! We’re aiming for an LRV around 60 (thanks to your fabulous info) we’ve found anything lower is too dark and anything higher is going white. Currently pale oak is on the walls and it has gone very cold (which I was hoping for some warmth) and almost white. Do you think collingwood would be worth a try? As it is darker and the darker version of balboa mist, or will it still be cold with our east facing windows?
Author
Hi Danielle, if you are finding Pale Oak to be too gray, you likely won’t find Collingwood much better – it’s tricky, I know! And when it comes to personal questions, I do try to refer to my E-design, this way I can take a look at your room and come up with options based on your exposure, furnishings, floorings, etc…, otherwise I’m just guessing! I do have fun and affordable packages! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi, love your posts… so much great information. We recently moved into a new house and updated our kitchen. Our cabinets are BM Simply white and our counters are grey and white (Atlantic Salt). Now I am faced with painting the walls. We have tried three different ‘Grey’s and found the blue undertones too much so now I am torn between Balboa Mist and Collingwood. Or to complicate it SW Agreeable Grey. What would you suggest; we have North facing windows. Thank you, Liz
Author
Hi Liz! Ooooh, when it comes to personal questions I do prefer to go through my E-design, otherwise I’m just guessing on your room and the type of gray in the counters/amount of light coming in/etc… I do try to give as much info on my blog and if that doesn’t work, it might be time for a closer look! It’s affordable and fun 😉 https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I am enjoying your blog! I am trying to find a gray for our older, wood-trimmed home, so I wanted a warm gray. I have tried about 7-8 samples and am leaning towards collingwood but in some places like the hallway it feels too dark (it’s open, so no great cut off point to switch colors). Is there a color slightly lighter, soft, and pretty that you would recommend? I also love blue/greens and would like to do an accent wall to incorporate those colors. Any suggestions?
Author
Hi Anita, thank you for writing! When it comes to personal questions, there’s so much more for me to consider – flooring, flow of light, size, decor…So, I would recommend you check out my E-design service which is affordable and fun! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/ This way I can spend some quality time with your room, rather than just guessing.
~Kylie
Kylie, you are a great instructor. I’m a newbie And thoroughly enjoying all of your posts I’ve worked through.
Does Collingwood like cooler brown/tans?
Do you have a post about cooler greige’s with the 2006/07 brown/tans ceramic tile? It was a neutral back then with the blues… not so much now.
Thanks.
Hi,
I am re-doing guest bathroom and want a grey with purple hue; is this a good color? Bathroom only has very tiny window above shower, so really no light
Author
Hi Jeanie! When it comes to personal questions there are SOOO many other things to consider – tile, countertop, flooring, etc… The only way for me to give GOOD advice is via my E-Design, which is affordable and fun, especially just for 1 room! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
I just painted my house with collingwood and one feature wall with hale navy and I am loving it! Thank you for all your color reviews… they helped me make the right decision.
Nawal.
Author
You are most welcome Nawal, I’m glad it all helped!
Thank you for this great info! Our new kitchen faces east and we have decided to do our perimeter cabinets in Collingwood and the island in BM Hunter Green. This post just solidified my notion about how perfect Collingwood is as I was trying to avoid green in the gray I chose. Thank you SO much for all the info!
Author
Jennifer, you are MOST welcome, thank you for the note!
Jennifer I am considering Collingwood for my kitchen cabinetry. Do you have a picture of the end result to share!?!
HELP! I love your color reviews. I painted sample boards and scoured the internet and I loved Collingwood in every photo and on my board. My painters used it in my upstairs hallway and it is tan/beige! I am so disappointed. Not the soft gray/greige I was expecting. Any advice to help it pick up more gray and any other color suggestions I could use to get that soft gray look I was hoping for in the downstairs areas I was planning to use Collingwood in? I am desperate as the painter needs to know my plan! Thank you for any help.
Author
Hi Kristen, have you tried playing with your light bulbs? Maybe a daylight bulb would help to enhance the cooler tones? It really shouldn’t be tan/beige…even though it is a warmer gray.
I agonized for weeks over Collingwood or Revere Pewter for a bathroom. I think I really wanted to like RP because it seems it was “the” go to colour that everyone was using. However it just didn’t quite hit the mark so I chose Collingwood and love, love, love it. Have recommended it so many times.
My local paint store also recommended Collingwood, but the swatch looks slightly purple in my home. Are there any warm greiges without the purple or pink undertones?
Author
Hi Rachel, check out BM Edgecomb, it will be your best bet for avoiding purple!
Kylie, thank you so much for your suggestion. Silly question, but is Edgecomb the same colour as Baby Fawn?
Your e-design before and after of the funky kitchen is remarkable! Collingwood looks perfect in there and makes the kitchen sing! SO impressed! Love seeing examples like this.
Author
Thank you Elle! I know, I was SO tickled when she sent the after photos – it turned out so lovely!
~Kylie
What’s the best curtain color / pattern for gray walls in bedroom?
Author
Hi Linna! That is a tricky question as it all depends on the size of the room, the type of gray you have on the walls (what undertones it has) as well as flooring, bedding and personal tastes! Personally, I’d choose a curtain that is either a darker or lighter version than the wall colour, to keep things simple. That being said, there are some fabulous patterns out there or complementary colours like teal that could look quite lovely!
~Kylie
Love your blogs. I have Collingwood in my East facing ensuite. I am surprised to hear it pulls purple as Its beautiful in my ensuite and doesn’t show any purple. And it doesn’t really change to anything offensive throughout the day. Just nice and neutral. I would love to see a post on paint colours for basements that usually have tiny windows and not many at that! Thanks for all your info.
Author
Ooo good to know, thank you Cammy! And I do have a blog post for basement colours, if you want to check it out! There’s also links within this blog post, to other related blogs posts 🙂 https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-light-paint-colours-for-a-dark-room-basement/ If you’re ever looking for something, type a keyword into my search bar on the right-hand side and you might be surprised at what you find! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-light-paint-colours-for-a-dark-room-basement/
~Kylie
Just wondering what you would recommend in a west facing bedroom that would be slightly warmer in the morning and still maintain a warm ness in the afternoon without being too dark and without green or blue undertones.
Author
Hi Sandra, thank you for your note! YOu might want to check out my blog post re: West Facing rooms, it might be helpful for you! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/the-best-paint-colours-for-west-facing-rooms/ I do try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog and if that doesn’t help, then it might be time for a closer look with my E-design! https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
~Kylie
Hi Kylie,
Great, informative post, as usual. I just had to tell you that I think your suggestion to use Collingwood for that Funky Kitchen was genius! What a transformation. Not only does it seem to make the orange tile and cabinets look pretty instead of garish, but it seems to go with the floor perfectly, too! It looks like a funky designer kitchen now! How do you do all that from online photos? Amazing abilities you have, girl!
BTW–do you have to do a professional type calibration on your moniter to make sure the colors are accurate? Just wondering, as I can’t seem to get my moniter to calibrate well just using the standard windows calibration settings. Thanks.
Author
Hi Phyllis, thank you! I don’t have professional calibration, I’ve just got a darned good eye and a quality computer! SO many of the floorings, tiles, countertops, I’ve seen in my local decorating adventures (literally thousands of homes) so a lot of it is so familiar to me!
~Kylie
Kylie, I love your style, advice and quick wit! Wondering, how do you feel about Collingwood for an exterior? We are painting over our 1950s peachy-pink brick and looking for a fool-proof, soft, modern gray.
Author
Hi Sara! I haven’t done much of Collingwood on an exterior and it could depend on your roof, but i DO love it!
Hi, we are painting our two-story family room in Collingwood, we just love this color. I’m wondering which white semi gloss to pick to go with it for our trim and fireplace mantle?
Author
Hi Susan! I like the look of BM White Dove, which is a warm white with a neutral undertone. It’s a softer look than a clean crisp white, but not too warm like Cloud White.
Hello, my first and second floors are painted with BM Collingwood. I plan to use a contractor to paint the basement in a equivalent SW color (he gets a discount on SW paints). Can you give me a recommendation?
Author
Hi Steve, in order to really GET Collingwood, I recommend you have SW do a colour match for you. Most of them have the fan decks of BM in their store, or you can bring them your colour chip. Just check the match before you leave to make sure they hit it right on!
Hi! I think I have narrowed it down to Collingwood for my large family room after currently having 12 different paint samples on the walls, so I was glad to find your post here! My issue is our whole house was painted in linen white trim (yuck) but there is sooo much of it everywhere and it would be too expensive right now to paint all of the trim too. Do you think Collingwood could go OK (I know not the best choice) with linen white trim or do you have a better suggestion. I want to try to stay in the gray family and Edgecomb gray is too yellow with linen white.
Hi Kylie, very informative and helpful site. Thanks for helping with such a big decision as is choosing a color for the home.
I have a 2 story living room that faces south. I want to have a soft , warm kind of creamy color. I have gone with the greige colors. Actually I have tried 3 walls (catwalk hallway, stairs wall and one of the living room wall) with Gracioous Greige from HGTV SW and in each one of the 3 walls I have different colors. On the second floor a warm , soft beige, on the stairs wall a greige and on the wall in the living room a kind of gray that is dull. This is driving me crazy… I love the tone I have on the second floor… it shows a little gray but it looks more like a creamy , soft beige. I tried Agreeable gray (which to me they seem pretty similar) but I dont like the dull color I have in the main living room. Any suggestions in what way I can go choosing a greige that is creamy and warm and more beige than gray?? It sounds complicated right?
Author
Hi Karla, thank you for your note! When it comes to personal questions like this, I really do need to refer to my E-design business! I try to give as much complimentary info as I can on my blog, and if that doesn’t help it might be time for a closer look, this way I can look at how much light you have, flooring, furnishings, etc…otherwise it’s a 100% educated guess…if that interests you, the link is here… https://www.kylieminteriors.ca/online-decorating-design-services/
The only basic idea I can throw at you is SW Accessible Beige…maybe it could work?
Just painted oak kitchen cabinets BM Collingwood. Floors , baseboards and trim medium oak. Keeping white appliances. |Planning on getting white counter and backsplash. What would be a good wall color.
Hi! I came upon these post after I chose Collinwood for a small east facing retreat. All the trim., 3 doors and 2 large window sills are painted in the builders kwal paint called floral white. I’m trying to decide if I should paint the ceiling Collingwood as well or paint it the same color as trim or another white. There is no trim on ceiling. And should the ceiling be eggshell (as my walls will be I think) or flat. Thank you and I’m loving all the info!
Which would you choose for a hallway and entranceway when you have Balboa Mist in the living room…Collingwood or Edgecomb Grey?
Ps. What is your opinion of Abalone? Would it go with Balboa Mist??
Author
I would definitely do Collingwood OVER Edgecomb if you have Balboa Mist in a room already :).
HI there, great blog! We are looking to paint our colonial in a soft gray / greige color but I am having such a hard time deciding and COMMITTING! Someone at the paint store recommended collingwood, I am wondering your thoughts? I cant really find pics online of it for exterior…I want a very soft gray or griege with white trim and a navy door. Something that doesnt look too white/light in the bright sun, but that stays very soft as the sun goes down… our roof is black! thanks so much!
Author
Hi Meg! Collingwood is AAAAMAZING, but like any light colour, it WILL wash out and lighten up in the sun. You’d need to add more depth to avoid it – you can try Cumulous Cloud for a shift, see if that gives you a bit more body perhaps?
Hi Kylie!
Do you have a color review on pale oak? If so, can you provide the link? I just painted all the main room in our two story townhouse Pale Oak and I hate it. It looks lavender and chalky to me. I’m curious to know how you would describe this color and where it looks best; maybe I can spot why it looks so terrible in my home. Also, do you have a link to more neutrals that I can consider for the future? I’m already counting the days until I can repaint this place. I might try your online consult in the future, but for now Id like to gather some resources. Thank you!!
Author
Oh MAN! Yes, Pale Oak is a tough one. It’s a warm greige with a considerable taupe look to it (purple/pink). I know it’s not one of MY fave colours just because of this funny warmth, so I’m not surprised to hear that you aren’t in love. I wonder if you have a certain exposure that’s making it feel a bit off as well – maybe south facing?
Now any neutral ‘like this’ will have purple undertones, this is the range you’re in. And I see you’re in the Collingwood post and while it does have a purple undertone, it is more GRAY which I find makes it DRASTICALLY easier to work with and live with. Short of that, it would be about trying to pick up a bit of blue-green, which would lean you a bit cooler, like BM Shoreline perhaps.
I hope that helps a bit!
Thank you Kylie!! You seem like you’re really busy so I really appreciate that you take the time to respond to as many inquiries as you can. The paint looks the most lavender on the south facing walls – you’re good! I will grab a sample of shoreline. I was also thinking of sampling edgecomb and maybe having it lightened as you did on your walls. I’ll keep up the research as well. Thank you again. Keep up the great work!
I was planning on painting the exterior of my west facing Cape with Collingwood BM,. Do you think it will look to cream/white in the afternooon when the sun hits it?
Thanks, Maryann
Author
Well, I mean, it will definitely look BRIGHT where the sun directly hits. You’ll want to make sure you have some nice white trim so you can have a frame of reference for the real CONTRAST of it. And yes, that western light will definitely warm it up! I like Cumulus Cloud too, which has just a bit more depth.
What color trim would you pair with Cumulus Cloud? I’m loving that warm gray!
Author
Ooooo, I love BM Chantilly Lace although you could do the softer SW Pure White :).
Thank you so much!! My builder typically uses white dove and i thought it might be a bit too gray. Thanks!
Hi! Sorry to bother you, do you think collingwood will get washed out for an exterior paint?
Author
Ermmmm…it definitely can, especially if you have southern light or good eastern/western – which you obviously will on OTHER sides of your home, but it would be the FRONT exposure I’d worry about the most :). Collingwood could be okay with northern light, but that’s about it. :). If you go to my SEARCH at the top of the sidebar and type in ‘exterior’, you’ll see I have some great blog posts on choosing exterior colours that could be helpful!
Hi Kylie! What color is on the ceiling in the second picture? I find your blog to be very informative and helpful! Thank you very much!
Hi! Thank you so much for your videos and information. I’m thinking of repainting my house Classic Grey, and my kitchen cabinets Collingwood. What are your thoughts?
Hello! I’m going to buy Collingwood for my dining room. I’m considering painting the inset ceiling over my dining table too and I like the color you have in the picture near the top of this page. It looks like a dark gray. Do you remember what color it is? Thank you!
Author
Hi Erin, that beautiful colour is Benjamin Moore Silver Gray!
Hi kylie love your blog, I’ve painted my kitchen cabinets in collingwood I think it pairs beautifully with my walnut worktop and stainless Steel appliances, which color could I use on the walls for some contrast?
Hi Kylie,
My dining room furniture is painted BM smokey taupe and tops are stained a very dark brown. Adjacent room is painted balboa mist. I’m looking for a light color that would coordinate with both. Room faces northeast window. Would Collingwood, pale oak, winds breath or edgecomb gray lightened work? I appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you!
Julia
Would you still lean towards collingwood as a whole house color with the onset of the warmer trends? Trying to decide between collingwood, possibly balboa mist, or a white. Hope to sell this year or next.
Author
Hi Ann! The warm grays are definitely going to last longer than the cooler ones, so I’m not AS concerned with this, as long as it really suits the interior finishes. YOu could also consider doing some rooms a soft warm white like White Dove for some balance.
Collingwood looks really good with my fireplace and against the upper white and wood tone cabinets I’m putting in the kitchen. I’ll check out white dove and maybe SW origami white as well! Thanks a bunch! If you get to the Chicago area I have a couple of South African wines I’d like to introduce you to. =)
Hi Kylie, I painted our short hallway to our bedrooms edgecomb gray. I have one bedroom painted Gray Mist, and considering painting the other 2 collingwood. 1 bedroom has a north facing window & the other 2 are south. Thoughts about this colour combinations?
My kitchen is balboa mist, which I love. I’m looking for a good color for the adjoining room. Would Collingwood flow well with balboa mist? Trim in linen white.
Hi Kylie, what is the color of the gray blue ceiling in the photo of the living room with the charcoal sofa?
Author
You know, it’s been a few years, but I’m sure it’s either Silver Spring or Blue Springs – I’m sure ‘Spring’ was in the name!
Author
SILVER GRAY, that’s what it is 🙂
Hi! I think I’ve settled on painting my office BM Simply White with Collingwood as an accent wall. My office furniture is an antique white color and the pops of color will be blush. The room is south-facing and I’m looking for a light, soft, feminine, but mature feel. Problem is, I have no confidence in myself in these things. Do you think Simply White and Collingwood would look ok with antique white furniture? And what trim color would you say?
I’m so thankful for people like you who are good at this!
Author
Hey Jaime! This could be a pretty combo. I’m a BIT worried about Simply White looking a bit more yellow with your southern light, but I DO think that if you do the ceilings/trims/doors Simply White it can help tone this down (whereas if you did whiter trim, it would ACCENT the yellow in Simply White 🙂