Benjamin Moore Gray Owl vs Stonington Gray, Revere Pewter, Moonshine, & More
The Best Gray Paint Colors: Sample & Compare
Are you searching for the elusive ‘perfect gray paint color’? And what is the perfect gray? Is it cool, or is it warm? Does it have subtle undertones, is it light, is it dark, is it…DRIVING YOU MAD!!!?
Well, if you’re on the internet looking for the best gray paint color ideas, that’s probably the case and I’m glad you found me before hysteria set in. Today, we’re going to focus on some of my favorite gray paint colors, but first, let’s take a deep breath, a chug graceful sip of wine, and talk about gray…
THE THREE TYPES OF GRAY
There are THREE TYPES OF GRAY? You bet your cute little booty there are, and figuring out which one is best for you and your home is the first step.
1. WARM SHADES OF GRAY
Warm grays are grays with a bit of brown in them. They aren’t so warm that they tip into greige or taupe, but they’re not ‘typical or traditional’ gray paint colors.
BM Classic Gray is a popular warm gray
Warm grays cater to green or purple undertones.
2. COOL SHADES OF GRAY
Cool grays are grays that DON’T have brown in them. However, just because they don’t contain brown doesn’t mean you’re left with the perfect gray. What you’re left with is a gray…with undertones – dun dun dun (dramatic sound).
Undertones are those sneaky colors that don’t jump out when you first look at the paint chip but slap you upside the face once you’ve gone to the effort of painting your entire room, only to realize your walls look blue/pink/green/fugly (insert twitching here). And when it comes to cool shades of gray, the undertones can be more obvious than those in warm grays.
Cool gray paint colors cater to blue, purple, or green undertones (or a blend).
Gray – The 3 Undertones You HAVE to Consider
While most people refer to the above two types of gray – warm and cool, there’s one in the middle that’s rarely talked about…
STORMY SHADES OF GRAY
Tucked in between the worlds of warm and cool sits stormy. These grays have a fraction of warmth but not enough to make them look traditionally warm. That said, they sure as heck aren’t cold and icy like traditional cool grays.
These are some of the most important grays; second to warm grays, they’re the most popular shades on the market! We’ll explore some stormy shades of gray below, but how do you know if gray is warm, stormy, or cool?
COMPARE, COMPARE, COMPARE
When you compare similar shades, it’s easier to see the ebb and flow of temperatures, undertones, and depth. Grab 6-8 samples and see if you notice these shifts.
Now, let’s get down to the focus of this blog post, comparing Gray Owl to other popular shades of gray.
WHAT TYPE OF GRAY IS BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY OWL?
Gray Owl is a stormy gray. ‘Scientifically’ (woof), it’s a warm gray. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to see it looking warm on your walls. This said, it’s not icy cold. It’s certainly inclined to look cool vs warm, but it’s not as fresh as cool grays.
As for undertones, Gray Owl is a real hoot. Seriously, look at the above photo to see how the undertones can shift – compare the three layers of the wall to each other…
- Far-left wall: Cool, fresh, almost blue undertone
- Center narrow wall space: Pretty ‘gray’
- Right side gallery wall: Subtle blue/green undertone
Here’s another look at Gray Owl leaning more into its green base in this dining room…
The above is a BEFORE photo from one of my Online Color Consulting clients. Gray Owl and its green undertone are the wrong color for this room’s brick fireplace and dining chairs. If you’re curious, here’s the fix (from a different angle)…
Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Collingwood
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Gray Owl
GRAY OWL VS. STONINGTON GRAY HC-170
Gray Owl and Stonington Gray are the kingpins of Benjamin Moore’s gray world. While Revere Pewter is in the running, too, it’s a good shift different from the other two.
- Both grays are stormy, but Stonington Gray winks provocatively at the cool gray world.
- Gray Owl’s LRV is 64.51, while Stonington Gray’s is 59.36. This difference means Gray Owl is lighter than Stonington Gray, although both are in the ‘light range.’
- Both grays have blue-green undertones; however, Gray Owl has more green and is a bit more gentle/less cool than Stonington Gray.
- While Gray Owl was hugely popular in the last 10 years, overall, Stonington Gray is the more timeless of the two.
My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray
Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Stonington Gray…
GRAY OWL VS. REVERE PEWTER HC-172
As far as grays go, we’re comparing apples to pork chops. While these can taste good together, they live in different worlds.
I didn’t hesitate to paint my doors Revere Pewter. Would I choose Gray Owl? Heck no.
- Revere Pewter has an LRV of 55.05, making it a good whack darker than Gray Owl’s 64.51 and winking at the light-medium depths.
- Gray Owl is a stormy shade of gray, and Revere Pewter is a warm gray that dabbles in the greige world.
- As for undertones, Gray Owl has its gorgeous green-blue blend, but with its increased warmth, Revere Pewter caters to a warmer, earthier, more organic look.
- Which is the most timeless? Oh, hands-down, Revere Pewter. In fact, it’s been in Benjamin Moore’s top-selling shades for the last 14+ years.
Using LRV to Pick the Perfect Paint Colour
My FULL Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter
GRAY OWL VS. MOONSHINE OC-56
Moonshine is not just popular in the Appalachians, but in the average home, too…
- Moonshine has an LRV of 66.53, making it closer in depth to Gray Owl than the previous two shades – these depths are super comparable.
- As for undertones, while both colors have a green undertone, compare the two and notice how Gray Owl seems to carry more blue than Moonshine…as it does. Its undertones are subtle and come off a bit stormier than Gray Owl.
- Which is the most popular and timeless? Neither is timeless, but Gray Owl is more popular.
My Paint Color Review of Benjamin Moore Moonshine
BENJAMIN MOORE GRAY OWL VS. SHERWIN WILLIAMS BIG CHILL
When looking for your perfect paint color, it never hurts to explore other brands. And no other brand goes head-to-head with Benjamin Moore like Sherwin Williams. This is why we’re taking an up-close and personal look at Big Chill.
- Big Chill has an LRV of 62, making it a touch darker than Gray Owl’s 64.51. However, both are in a similar range in the light world and are comparable.
- When it comes to undertones, if you worry about Gray Owl’s tendency to grab green, Big Chill could fit that as it’s more committed to a subtle blue undertone.
- As for popularity, Gray Owl is the more popular option, but if you ask this color cowgirl, Big Chill is more versatile.
My Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Big Chill
The Best Paint Colors to Go With Marble
READ MORE
The Best Sherwin Williams Gray Paint Colours
Benjamin Moores Best Gray Paint Colours
The 3 Gray Undertones You Have to Consider
NEED HELP?
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ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2019, UPDATED IN 2024
Wow this site has helped me understand these confusing grays!! Thank you so much!! I used Gray owl in my den with intense white trim. I’m trying to decide to keep with the gray owl into the kitchen and living room but I also am liking the stonington gray as well. Do you think I could use both colors in the same room together? For example the walls in the kitchen gray owl and the sophet in stonington? Or three walls in the living room gray owl and accent wall in stonington? I guess what I’m wondering is if they will compliment/go together in the same room or just look almost like the same color? Thanks!!????
Hi Erika, they are both EQUALLY gorgeous colours, but I wouldn’t use them in a room together. They are too similar in depth to really off-set each other, and their undertones are just that bit different that they will fight each other a bit. You could certainly do them in rooms that are NEXT to each other, divided by a door of some sort, but I wouldn’t do them right together ;).
Thank you so very much for the advice!! You have no idea how much I appreciate it as I’ve been agonizing over paint colors for weeks now lol. Now to choose which paint for which room……..kitchen and living room. I’m actually having another problem I’m sure you could help me with if you don’t mind……I’m not actually liking the intense white trim with the gray owl (doesn’t seem to have enough contrast). Which white do you recommend with the gray owl? I’m struggling between simply white, Chantilly lace, or decorators white. Or is there a better one you can recommend? I’m looking for a true white that’s going to compliment the gray owl nicely on the trim and ceilings without having any strong undertones…….is the simply white kind of yellowish and Chantilly lace kind of bluish? …. or is it just me hmmm lol! Thank you again!!????
You help everyone so much, which is not normally done by color consultants. 🙂
In her book, Maria K indicates Stoninghton & Gray Owl are both blue greys; the purple cast must come from something else in the room including lights, windows and fixed textures? Maybe something blue and red are interfering. AND, these are lighter colors which require light. Donald Kaufman ““A light colour will never come to life in a dark room…” I guess some of them come to life.
Thank you! And yes, I do love Maria and you’re VERY right about your points! Also make sure your sample is from Benjamin Moore, not SW or H.Depot :).
I know that paint color is typically the last thing a designer does but… I am helping my church pick out colors for carpet and paint. We have purple upholstery on our pews. Leaning toward eggplant but not quite. So would it be easier to pick out cooler paint neutrals like grays with purple undertones and beiges first then find carpet? Thank you. Love your website!
Well, if it were me I’d probably choose the carpet first as you’ll have FEWER choices that work with the upholstery. It would be nice if the carpet has flecks of the upholstery colour in it. And THEN, yes, I would lean into soft grays with a purple undertone (along the lines of BM Collingwood is a place to start :).
Hi Kylie, between Grey Owl and Stonington Grey, is there one of the two that you think would coordinate better with Bleeker Beige (i.e., wouldn’t be too jarring for adjoining rooms)? Thank you.
STONINGTON GRAY! Its added depth makes it a nicer partner :).
Having the same problem most are having, choosing the right gray. Redoing main bathroom, espresso cabinets, Light gray floor and white with gray veining in shower. South facing small window and will have can lights. Do not want a purple undertone color. Please help. I want gray color first then undertones to show.
Im struggling to choose between grey owl and stonington for a cabinet color. I want to do a dual color effect, white upper cabinets and then a grey color for lower cabinets. Just a subtle contrast. White counter and grey flooring…which would you suggest. (not alot of natural light in my kitchen but good artificial lighting)
PERSONALLY, I would do Stonington Gray over Gray Owl.
I have painted my kitchen Stonington Gray and love the cool undertones with my white cabinets and Calacatta quartz counter with gray veining. It does show a bit blue in the early part of the day in my east facing room but I am fine with that. I wonder if it is OK to use a warm lighter gray, such as Silver Satin, on adjacent walls or should I stay with a cool lighter gray for the rest of the house. Thank you so much for your helpful postings – I’ve spend hours on your website reviews!
Silver Satin looks completely beige in my house, not grey, not even griege.
Mine too! I was so disappointed, it looked dirty. Luckily I was at the paint sample stage. I ended up using it in the garage LOL
I chose Stonington Grey for my mud room and laundry room and find it quite dark. Stormy is a good way to explain it, as it has a dull dreary type look not very bright at all. I want bright so am going to try to go with Grey Owl instead. I have seen GO in at least 5 houses, in 1 it looks neutral in another it looked blue and in the other 3 it looked so very green!! Stonington is nice in that it’s neutral but too dark for me. So hard to find a neutral light grey!!!!!!
Take a look at SW Repose Gray, BM Nimbus, and Revere Pewter, Behr Chic Gray, Farrow&Ball Cornforth White.
I have a south facing primary bath with 3 windows and 1 skylight. With all this bright light would Gray Owl be too washed out? Should I choose Stonington Gray. Vanity is white. Tile and quartz top is white with gray veining. Ideas? Do not like green undertones.