How Many Shades Of Gray Are There? ( is gray the new black?)

A sweet friend needed a great paint color of the perfect grey….my first thought was this old post….a very old post, indeed! It's always interesting to go back re-read something you wrote more than a year ago! However…my thoughts on this one haven't changed much! Not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!

Grey is the combination of black and white and is the most neutral of all the shades. It is a conservative color and good for use as a background color.

Grey (also will take on qualities of its colored undertone) Neutral, Non-committal, cold sophisticated.

Grey can also signify psychologically gloominess, sadness, ghosts, ashes, cobwebs, and the dust of a haunted house and other scary things.

People who like Grey tend to be neutral about life. They like to protect themselves from the hectic world in a blanket of non-commitment preferring a secure, safe, balanced existence. They work hard and are the "middle of the road" type of individual.

They have often made compromises in their lifestyles. They are practical and calm and do not like to attract attention.

To dislike Grey is to dislike neutrality. These individuals look for a richer, happier and fuller lifestyle. This may lead them to get into one involvement, hobby, or interest after another in the pursuit of happiness.

Hopefully you realized early on that this was the google definition of Grey!

The first thing I ever learned in Design 101 was that Grey was the color of indecision! In fact, I've never forgotten that and therefore I've had a tendency to steer away from "Grey"! 

Hmmmm...wonder if they still teach it that way now or if they say...".Grey is the color of new decisions!"

Especially in fashion! It's my favorite color and always has been!

And of course it is 100% understood now that Grey is the "color of choice"! It may not be your choice and it isn't mine in every area....

But in kitchens, dens, dining and living rooms....It just doesn't get much better!!!

Don't you just love all of these pictures!! Thanks to Pinterest we can have them at the touch of our fingertips!!

What a dream this cooktop, backsplash and hood are!

Even the antique silver tells you that Grey is the color of choice!! It may be silver to some....

But somewhere in between black and white....there is grey in that 

 silver! Take a look at this fabulous range for your dream kitchen!

The finish on these walls is incredible!!

A long time ago a precious designer I once knew and relied on for my own home told me that every room should have a touch of black in it!! And I suppose she knew what she was talking about! Black is absolute! And absolute is good!

 Tracery Interiors did just that in the Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home

I love all of the black detailing they put into this house!

I still believe what Mrs Neil told me to be true but I also know that if she were alive today she would also say "Add a touch of Grey"! and then, " Can we stop and get an ice cream cone?" She was just that way!! Even in her 90's!!!

A touch of grey is soothing...like a balm on the soul...even the soul of a house!

For when you are undecided...when life seems nothing but grey....just look between the lines!! You will see clearly and everything will be....

just ask Celerie Kemble!!

It will all become clear to you once again....

When in doubt....

Choose the door that leads to Grey!!

Designers At Home!

It seems like a million years ago when I first heard that Ronda Rice Carman had written a book on all of our favorite designers and their homes that they actually live in on a day to day basis. I remember being so excited! Somehow in this cyber world we live in I had become "friends" with Ronda as well as Barry Dixon who is one of the featured designers.

 Along the way, I also wrote a blog post on Tammy Connor and received the kindest note from her! It made my day when I opened that letter! You can see that post HERE!  I've also received one from Beth Webb after a post I did on her.  You can see that post on Beth HERE!

These are truly kind people. Ronda is a truly kind person and I've so enjoyed following her blog as well as her posts on this incredible book! We placed our order right away for Mulberry Heights Antiques to carry it and when it came…I was in St. Lucia! Of all things! So, I am just now getting to read it from cover to cover and enjoying it thoroughly! 

It begins with a very nice forward from Martha Stewart and then continues alphabetically with all of our favorite designers as well as some I am looking forward to getting to know! I didn't want to show you the whole book as I feel that you should get a copy for yourself and see what I mean! It's incredible! Here is just a small sampling you will see when you read it!

Tammy Connor's personal home in Birmingham, Alabama.

Barry Dixon's personal home.

His estate, which is named Elway Hall is truly magnificent! I did a post on Barry awhile back that was one of my personal favorites. You can see it HERE if you'd like to read more about his wonderful home.

Tobi Fairley's personal home in Little Rock, Arkansas certainly lives up to the standards that we've all come to love and expect from her!

And here is glimpse of Steven Gambrel's home in Sag Harbour.

Celerie Kembel is featured above with these fabulous vintage chairs in her home 27 floors above Central Park! Be still my heart! 

 And although this is just my personal opinion, no book on designers would be complete without Charlotte Moss' home! Simply, gorgeous!

And I was so happy to see Suzanne Rheinstein in here! I did a blog post on her awhile back which you can see HERE! I always love seeing my 'Wednesday What If ' posts pop up again!

One of the most talented designers ever is towards the end of the book…that's because it is alphabetical! What a genius move on the part of Ronda! Anyway, Bunny William's is so gifted and I was thrilled to see her in here. I've seen her speak in person and it was wonderful!

I could probably study her personal home as well as countless others she has designed and be lost in a world of contentment. In fact, that is exactly what this fabulous book allows! You are allowed to get lost in a world of your own contentment and study all of your favorites! I promise that you will love this fabulous book and it will be on the top of your "coffee table books"! I know it is on mine!

Make sure to check out Ronda's blog called All The Best. It is well worth reading and you can find out more about her book as well! Like I said earlier, these are just a few of the many designers that are featured! There are so many others like Brooke and Steve Giannetti's home as well as Scott Meacham Wood, etc. You will love devouring the pages of this book as much as I have! Hope you have a wonderful week! We are gearing up for our first trunk show with Michele McKeon of Sennod jewelry this Thursday so there is much to do to get ready for it! So much for having been in St. Lucia all last week! It seems like eons ago already! Oh, how I miss it!