Gray is the IT color these days. It is the neutral of choice and the look that people want for nearly every room in the house. Gray with Grey.
In Feng Shui, gray represents Metal element whose energetic qualities are focused, discriminating, precise and organized. It is not surprising that a monochrome, metal palate is so popular these days as people are energetically drawn to this aesthetic as an antidote to an overstimulating world. There can be however, too much of a good thing.
When a space has too much of one element is becomes unbalanced. In a metal dominated space, the element we use to control it is fire and water to reduce it. When working with a neutral gray palate a great way to add fire element is by using bold fire colors like hot pinks, bright orange and coral reds or by using bold fire patterns like a chevron or ikat to bring the room into balance. Adding a bit of water element also helps to reign in an overly metal space.
When using a gray palate in a bedroom it is also important to consider the elemental make up of the person using it. I was recently hired to design a bedroom for a 12 year old girl who, in keeping with the current trend, wanted a gray bedroom. An analysis of her elements both in 9 Star Ki and in 4 Pillars showed that she is predominantly Earth element. For her, metal would not support but rather drain her Earthy nature. The element that would best support her would be fire element.
So, to give her the look she wanted in a way that would also support her elementally I chose a gray wall color that also has a good deal of earth in it. Some paint colors that achieve this balance would are: Benjamin Moore’s Edgecomb Gray HC-173, Baby Fawn OC-15 and Cedar Key OC-16.
To give the room some fire element we chose a fire patterned fabric in a taupe/gray for the windows and fire color fabric for the window seat. We also chose bold, fire color and patterned bedding that is bright and cheerful and more appropriate for a young girl than a subdued monochrome space. We also added some water element to this room by painting the high, tray ceiling a light blue. Some great pale blues for a ceiling would be Benjamin Moore’s In Your Eyes 715 and Ice Blue 2052-70 or Farrow and Ball’s Skylight 205 or Borrowed Light 235. One added bonus of the blue ceiling is that it mimics the sky which also brings the Tao, or nature, into this room.
By using Feng Shui we are able to achieve a stylish and supportive space! I will add photos of the finished space when completed but until then you can check out the pinterest idea board I made for this client to get ideas for your grey room: http://www.pinterest.com/bethgracedesign/kayleigh/