HomeThe Best Paint ColoursBENJAMIN MOORE & SHERWIN WILLIAMS: Paint Color ReviewsBenjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170: Paint Color Review

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray HC-170: Paint Color Review

Posted on February 16, 2020 by KylieMawdsley

The Best Stormy Gray – Stonington Gray: LRV, Undertones & More!

Gorgeous gray paint colors are a dime a dozen these days, it’s enough to make you go loonie – get it? (funny if you’re a Canadian…or not). But that doesn’t mean they’re all worth sampling. In fact, there are only a dozen or so grays that I repeatedly refer to in my E-Design consultations and Stonington Gray is one of them.

And not only is Stonington Gray in my personal top 10 gray paint colors, but it’s also one of BENJAMIN MOORE’S TOP gray colors, beating out the EVER-popular Revere Pewter! So, let’s see what makes this gray paint color so great.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

The best gray paint colour, paint colour review Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray. Kylie M Interiors, edesign and online paint color expert and consulting blog

What type of paint color is Stonington Gray? Is it a warm or cool gray?

Stonington Gray is a gray paint color that isn’t warm but also isn’t as icy cold as some gray paint colors – in my magical world (full of wine and brief flashes of Ryan Reynold’s in a Speedo), I often refer to it as a ‘slightly stormy gray’. It also has its own special blend of undertones, which we’ll get into below.

Open layout living room, kitchen, gray sectional, Stonington Gray paint colour, rustic wood furniture, navy blue accents. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour, design expert

Photo by Jen Wynia Photography

What’s the LRV of Stonington Gray?

The LRV of Stonington Gray is 59, which means it’s a light depth color, but not a ‘light and fresh’ gray paint color – it has a bit more meat on its bones.

Paint Colors and LRV: The Ultimate Guide You Need to Read

Master Bedroom, white board and batten paint colour, vaulted ceiling, chandelier, wood barn door and white oak flooring. Stonington Gray. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color advice blog

Photo by Jen Wynia Photography

What are the undertones of Stonington Gray? Will my walls look blue or green?

Stonington Gray DOES favour a mild blue undertone that can sometimes slide just a wee willy wink blue-green. Rarely does it flash purple, but like almost ANY gray, it can be encouraged in the right environment. Remember, every gray has undertones, so you may as well hone in on the ones that best suit your room and its furnishings! That being said, how YOU see a paint color can be open to personal perception and can also be swayed by your exposure and interior finishes.

This next photo is a great example of Stonington’s undertones…

White LG Quartz countertop, open layout kitchen and living room. Gray stone fireplace, Stonington Gray paint on walls, gray sectional. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint blogger and consultant

Look at the top right wall in the above photo and you’ll see a blue undertone. Look to the left and you’ll see a warmer green undertone. FULL-EXPOSURE BABY (the best kind)! The right side is getting more north-facing light, whereas the left side of the photo has more of a south-facing influence. DAMN, I love this stuff.

The best gray paint colors for your room. Benjamin and Sherwin. Edesign, Kylie M Interiors online paint colour services. Home decorating and diy ideas blogger.market

Click HERE or on the above image to see my 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 location
  • At $6.99, they’re more affordable than the samples pots/rollers/foam boards that are needing 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

What white trim or cabinet paint colors are best with Stonington Gray walls?

GOOD QUESTION! I’ve seen Stonington partnered up with soft, warm whites like Simply White and Cloud White, however, you can also go whiter, for example…

These whites are among some of the TRUEST whites and would show a clean, more crisp contrast with Stonington Gray walls.

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray with white wainscoting. Background color Dior Gray. An art lovers home. Kylie M Interiors Decorating and E-design

 4 Steps to Choosing the Best White Paint Color

Small bathroom or powder room ideas. Marble hexagon floor, blue green vanity, white wainscoting, Stonington Gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign

If you do happen to choose an overly warm white, the COOL blue of Stonington can over-react with the yellow that’s in most warm whites and they will enhance each other. Enhance means that the blue in Stonington can make the yellow in your white look stronger, and the yellow can, in turn, make the blue look stronger. Some people don’t mind this look…I am not some people.

Staircase with lights, carpet, wood flooring, white railings. Stonington Gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour expert

Read more: The 8 Best Benjamin Moore White Paint Colors

What Sherwin Williams paint colors are the same as or similar to Stonington Gray?

When it comes to getting an EXACT match, you’ll never find it as there will always be a shift in undertones, depth and temperature. However, Sherwin Williams has a few paint colors with similar intents, such as…

Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray paint colour. Stairwell with yellow toned wood stairs. Kylie M INteriors Edesign, virtual online paint colour consultant

BTW, if you’re thinking of color matching (ie: having Sherwin Williams make a Benjamin Moore color) you MIGHT just want to read this first!

How does Stonington Gray compare to other gray paint colors?

When doing my E-Design, I often have clients who are deciding between Stonington Gray and a few other popular grays and they just can’t decide which is their favourite. Remember, a lot of the time, it’s not about what’s best for you, it’s about what’s best for your room, and learning about the differences between colors can help you make the best choice!

The difference between Stonington Gray & Gray Owl

Stonington Gray and Gray Owl are often in the running together. And while they’re certainly in the same ballpark, they’re hitting to different sides of the field.

Stonington Gray has an LRV of 59. Gray Owl has an LRV of 65, so there’s a SOLID difference in depth there (learn more here). Stonington is almost light-medium depth, whereas Gray Owl is tucked nicely in the light range. If you want to learn more about the differences between these two colors, read HERE.

Stonington gray and Gray Owl. colour review undertones. Kylie M Interiors Edesign online

The difference between Stonington Gray & Wickham Gray

Wickham Gray is kind of like a lighter Stonington Gray. It has similar undertone tendencies, but they can sometimes come up a bit more in Wickham. Wickham Gray has an LRV of 69, so it’s considerably lighter than Stonington, but still in the light range.

WICKHAM GRAY

Bathroom, freestanding tub, pebble tile floor. Benjamin Moore Wickham Gray paint color. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online decorating blog and virtual design

The difference between Stonington Gray & Sherwin Williams Tinsmith

These two are kissin’ cousins. Tinsmith is another one of my fave cool gray paint colors with its subtle blue undertone. Both Stonington and Tinsmith have similar LRV’s, clocking in at 59/57, but Tinsmith is slightly less likely to slide blue-green and is more committed to its blue undertone.

TINSMITH

The best gray paint colour, coastal beachy theme, Sherwin Williams in bedroom with white furniture. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint colour consulting online blog

Not sure if Stonington Gray is the best color for you and your home? I’ve got more!

THE MOST TRUE GRAYS WITH NO UNDERTONES

The most true, real gray paint colours, Benjamin and Sherwin. Kylie M Interiors Edesign, online paint color consult and diy decor advice blogger

Read more: The Most TRUE GRAY Paint Colors with No Undertones

READ MORE

Paint Color Review: Benjamin Moore Gray Owl

The 9 Best Benjamin Moore Gray Paint Colors

The 10 Best Sherwin Williams Gray and Greige Paint Colors

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting packages, I’d love to help!

Online paint colour consultant Benjamin Moore Sherwin Williams, Vancouver Island, USA, UK. Interior, exterior, edesign colors. Kylie M Interiors, blogger marketing. Best paint color ideas

Chat soon,

Kylie M Interiors, decorating blog, e-design, online colour consulting expert. signature

 



Comments

  1. Wow! I love Stonington Gray in that home (and how it’s decorated – looks like the work of Kylie)! It looks almost like a greige – is the way it’s appearing on line, pretty accurate? I have an open concept home, with the front of the home (2 story entry) facing north & the back (2 story family rm) facing south. Both areas have lots of natural light. Have you seen Stonington Gray in a north facing room? Does it go purple or look icy cold? I have a painted board of this color, but I have a hard time visualizing it in the full space. I love the idea that it’s earthy.
    And the picture of Gray Owl in that entryway, looks so blue (baby blue) compared to Stonington Gray, whereas I though Stonington Gray would appear more blue. BTW, my wood floors are similar in tone to that entryway with Gray Owl, but Gray Owl is a little too light for my space.

    As always, thanks Kylie!!!

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Christy, good to hear from you again! And yes, that is pretty true to Stonington, it’s a pretty fab colour! You WILL notice that shift as your exposures change, so it’s like getting 2 colour in 1! I’ve RARELY had it flash purple, and even then, it’s a stretch (more likely when it’s up against a strong blue-green as it will ‘look more blue-purple’ in comparison to a strong blue-green, but again, it’s still a stretch. I also don’t find it icy. It can look ‘cool, but not icy cold.

      Oh, and don’t be fooled by Gray Owl, it can easily look blue, but then in another space, it can lean a bit green – it’s a super ninja, but yes, in that space it was super committed to blue!

      I hope that helps and Merry Christmas!

  2. Hi Kylie,

    Another hugely informative post. Thank you!

    The photograph of the bedroom above the heading “What’s the Difference Between Stonington Gray and Revere Pewter” — I love the combination of two tones used on the walls. You have inspired me. Is it just the headboard wall that is different? And which wall is which colour?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Dawn! If it’s the one that I’m thinking it is, it’s actually just one colour – SW Tinsmith! I wonder if the lighting is shifting things on you (or if it’s a different photo 😉

      1. Oh, right! It’s says SW Tinsmith right above the photo. I missed that. (The photo of the bedroom with the sailboat on the wall, right?) I follow your blog enough to know that colours change with the light, but that colour shift is remarkable … and beautiful.

  3. Hi Kylie,
    What do you think of Balboa Mist in a small bathroom with south exposure through a very small window. Fixtures are white and the floor is a warm honey wood.

    1. Post
      Author
  4. Based on months of reading your brilliant color reviews, I painted my living/dining room combo, bedroom and laundry room Stonington Gray and I’m in love. The living/dining room is large, with tall walls, one small east facing window and two small west facing windows (no not great natural light) and the color still looks fab. It’s a cool gray in my rooms but still feels warm and adds the perfect amount of depth. My laundry room is small so I painted both the walls and ceiling Stonington Gray and it’s gorgeous. You are my go to website so thank you for all the fantastic info! The exterior is my next project which has proved to be quite challenging so I will definitely be purchasing one of your packages!

  5. Hi Kylie,
    The room’s are so beautiful. I love the color you educated me on. Stonington Gray.
    One question ; do I ask for semi gloss, satin, or egg shell? I’m painting my whole house with Stonington Gray. Thank you
    Sincerely
    Mary

    1. Post
      Author
  6. Hi, I have dining room furniture painted smokey taupe. Would stonington gray look good on walls? Benjamin Moore site shows silver mist but color looks more like a kid’s bedroom to me. I have balboa mist in adjacent room. I’d appreciate your help!
    Thank you

    1. Post
      Author
  7. Hi kylie,

    I am doing an accent wall with the stonington gray for my tv area. What is the darker gray in the photo that you have the fall print on the wall with the stonington gray and the darker color in the hallway? Any suggestions for a accent wall? I am using black trim only on that wall.

    Thank you!
    Robin

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Robin! That’s BM Dior Gray, which is great for the BATHROOM that it’s in, but I wouldn’t use it as a feature with Stonington as it has too much violet in it! Something like BM Charcoal Slate would be better 🙂

    1. Post
      Author
  8. Oops, I just messaged you about quartz countertop. The cabinets are Stonington Gray not Collingwood. Messaging for my daughter. Thanks again.

  9. I have learned SO much from you (after I made some big paint blunders and realized I needed to learn some basic principles!), so THANK YOU. I painted my living/dining room Stonington Gray, and the den Covington Gray. Now I’m looking for a lighter version of something in the same family for a north-facing bedroom and a hallway that doesn’t get much light. Any recommendations? Wickham? Or could I ask the shop to mix Stonington with some white?

    1. Post
      Author

      Hi Noelle! What about asking BM to lighten Stonington by 50% for you and see how that looks? The undertones CAN shift, but at least you’re starting with a similar base :).

  10. I need help!! I need my laundry painted and I am leaning on the gray, beige or greige side of things. I have literally 20 paint strips on my wall and hate them all. My cabinets are white, my floors are a beigey rubber like floor, which I want to change out and I have one small window facing west. So, if you were to choose one of each color listed, which ones would it be?

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More Posts

Meet Kylie

Thank you for visiting!  I'm so glad you're here!  Come on in to learn a little more about me!

Categories