It’s been awhile since I’ve done a Color Spotlight and today I wanted to highlight one of the most beautiful and versatile mid-toned warm grays out there; Sherwin Williams Light French Gray.
I had to go back over the years and check to make sure that I had never featured this color before and because I am so surprised to find that I haven’t shared it before. Sherwin Williams Light French Gray is really one of the colors that is at the top of my list. It’s versatile, not finicky and pretty true in a variety of lighting situations. It’s one of those perfect neutrals!
via Jackson Built Custom Homes
via Laine and Layne
Light French Gray is really more of a mid-toned shade and not really “light” as it name says. Honestly, it’s really in between a light to mid-toned shade, which can make for the perfect neutral foundation for a space.
via Kim Wiederholt
Just to show you some similar SW colors for you to compare and see the slight differences, here’s some colors close to SW Light French Gray.
Light French Gray has a fantastic neutral undertone without any strange hues jumping out in differently lighting.
 Light French Gray is also a fantastic interior door and cabinetry color to put on your radar as well!
via Innovate Construction Atlanta
Innovate Construction did one of my favorite little tricks in this gorgeous master bathroom remodel project. They used the same color (Light French Gray) on the walls and the cabinetry. However, they used a flat on the wall and a matte/satin cabinet paint on the vanity. Because two different sheens were used, the light hits them differently, which gives this gorgeous contrast and the appearance that they are slighting lighter/darker shades but it’s the same color!
I know it’s so overwhelming with all of these mid-toned to light warm gray colors out there to determine which shade is best. I like to see colors next to each other to instantly spot the differences in undertone and shades. Below, I have pulled together Light French Gray for you to compare with other popular Sherwin Williams warm grays to see how they compare and the differences.
If you want a mid-toned neutral that doesn’t have any undertones that will pop out in certain light, there is no doubt that Light French Gray should be high on your list. If you want more of a mid to lighter warm gray, test Repose Gray, Crushed Ice and On the Rocks. If you want something even lighter (almost white with that light warm gray undertone), for sure test Spare White and Origami White.
Sherwin Williams Light French Gray is such a fantastic color that I wanted to be sure and share it with you for you to sample and consider. I don’t have any images to share with you but Light French Gray looks amazing on interior doors as well! Keep that in mind!
If you’ve missed any of my past Color Spotlights, you can look through them here. Also, if you’re curious what the paint manufacturer’s predict will be the most popular colors in 2019, I recapped the color forecasts here.
Thanks for stopping by today friends!
Cheers!
Cyndy
Tiffany Thi says
So much love to this color! With so many grey hues to choose from, it can get overwhelming to find the perfect shade. I’m really digging the contrast between the two greys in that photo by Innovate Construction.
I stumbled across your blog when researching color trend forecasts. Just wanted to say hi! 🙂
Sherri Smith says
Such an inspiring neutral color, yet certainly has a warmth to it for any room. I’ve chosen this color for my living room and will be painting in the next few days . Thanks for the helpful information and making my color choice one that I’m confident in and sure to love once its all finished!
Debbie says
I love this color. Is it wise to use flat paint on the wall of a bathroom due to all the steam and moisture?
Thanks for sharing the gorgeous grays and Happy 2019!
Lisa says
Always enjoy reading about your paint recommendations. I have never seen Light French Gray before, it really is a beautiful color. Just used Repose Gray in two bedrooms, it has always been my favorite gray. Before making a paint decision I always check your blog, so much good info to help when trying to figure out a color.
Tanya says
Hi Cyndi,
Love your color spotlights and love light french gray. My friend is doing it in an open space and I cannot wait to see it, as I helped her pick the color. I have a question…for our new build, we did unusual gray in the master bath but the vanity came out more warm taupy gray and I don’t like the 2 together. It can be painted and I was going to do white on the vanity. I live the unusual gray and want to keep it! The walls are flat, do you think sw unusual gray is the kind of color you could use to do what you said above…go monochromatic…something I love! Or ahould I maybe even go one warmer, like the color under unusual gray? Thanks!! Seems like such a neat solutuon…I want more cohesiveness but white is so expected.
Angie says
I really love LFG and we plan to paint a large portion of our first floor this color (foyer, stairway, open kitchen/dining/family room combo). We have a living room off the foyer that I would like to do a different color that’s not gray but works well with LFG. Not too dark. Any suggestions? Would also like to know what other colors go well with LFG as we have a powder room and laundry room off the open family room. Thank you for the great post!
Deborah Bass says
I used LFG in a bathroom and loved it, but when using it in tne madter bedroom, it definitely looks blue-grey. It could be the lighting, but have 3 windows in this large room, and surprised it looks so much darker than in the bathroom, plus the blue hue.
Suzanne says
I husband and I just brought home a sample of this color for our master bedroom today. It has been a tan color And we wanted to find a rich great, but not too dark. I was so excited to find this Greg, but my husband is feeling that it might still be a little bit too light for him. What color would be similar to this, but perhaps just a little bit darker? I love this color gray! No matter what wall I have tried it out on, The color is still beautiful. It’s not pulling any weird color we did not want! It seems to be a very true, safe gray. I think we will use it in our master bathroom and our hallway and perhaps even our stairwell and entry! It’s gorgeous! Thank you for your help! 🙂
Cyndy says
Light French Gray is such a gorgeous color and yes, it’s very safe and versatile. If you’re willing to switch to a Sherwin Williams color, Mindful Gray is darker (looks like a darker version of Light French Gray) and it’s a safe bet as well (and so pretty)! If Mindful is too dark, you can ask the guys at Sherwin Williams to mix you a sample of 50% Light French Gray and 50% Mindful Gray (they have the color formulas for Benjamin Moore Colors) and that would get you in the middle and probably exactly what you have in mind. I hope that helps! 🙂
Laura says
We painted our open-concept first floor LFG in 2015 and have gotten many compliments on it since! The trim is SW Greek Villa, a creamy white. LFG goes well with so much, and makes it easy to decorate with. It is a true gray.
Hannah says
Do you happen to know which shade of white is used for the trim in the photo by Innovate Construction? Or do you have any other suggestions for a shade of white to use with Light French Gray?
Thanks!!
Suzanne says
Love this color. What colors of white did you use for the trim and wanes coating?
Diane Brandon says
I am trying to pick out a gray tone for a small bedroom…i like the light french white and bought a sample jar. My husband thinks it is a bit on the dark side but i do like it and we will be painting the trim a bright white. Your thoughts please.
Kisha says
I am doing the same exact thing. We purchased Ultra Pure White for the trim.
Sue Batson says
I used Light French Gray in my master bathroom and it looks almost blue!!! I am so disappointed with this color! Can you suggest a gray that stays gray and will not lean blue? Thanks for your help!
Lauren says
I just had this happen with LFG in our living room- looks completely blue! Did you wind up painting a different color?
Chelsea says
What would LFG look like on an all stucco exterior? It’s our new build. There are different areas on peaks of roof with different depths. Front of house is north facing . Need to decide in a couple of days. Will LFG ever look blue green or purple outside in any light?
Side note:we have chosen SW snowbound for the facia/soffit color. And the roof is a Owens Corning peppermill gray. We also will have cedar wood accents on front and back of house. Garage doors are white. We would love some help on this.
Cyndy says
I would for sure sample LFG outside because yes, on exteriors, direct light will cast blue. SO, you will need to have more warmth in color for exterior. I’m afraid LFG may look blue. I would recommend looking at Mindful Gray, which has a little more warmth or Repose Gray. I hope that helps.
Kelly says
Love the gray cabinet! However, I was wondering if you could tell me which granite you used? It’s very pretty!
Anna says
I’m wondering what color was used for the bathroom vanity? I have the light French gray for our bathroom walls but I need a good gray color for the vanity and I love the two colors in the bathroom pictured above.
Carolyn smith says
You mentioned they used a flat on the walls in the bathroom. Is that typically the sheen you recommend? What about for living areas and 2 story entryways? I’m going to use repose grey throughout with possibly snowbound for trim, but I can’t decide what sheen.
Cheryl says
I had a local interiors store that specializes in custom painted furniture paint a dresser and nightstand in light French gray this past summer for my guest room. It is gorgeous! So glad I found this post because I’ve been contemplating using this color in another room on the walls. Your inspirational photos have convinced me to do so!