Sherwin Williams Pavestone: Undertones, Best Uses, & Lighting

Is it greige, taupe, or warm gray? Let’s find out…

While most people focus on the lighter, brighter side of things, there are those who want a paint color with a bit more meat on its bones. Not every exterior or interior wall can handle a light color—a color that will potentially wash out or be too low-contrast with trim. That’s why today, we’re taking a look at Sherwin Williams Pavestone.

In order to show you RELATEABLE & REAL homes, I ONLY use photos from my Online Color Consulting clients. This means I don’t always have the quality pics I need (hence the ‘QUICK Review’), but DEFINITELY have some SUPER helpful info to help you on your way!

 

WHAT TYPE OF COLOR IS PAVESTONE?

While it can depend on your exposure, generally speaking, Pavestone is a greige paint color that winks very inappropriately at the warm gray world, to the point that in northern light, it can look more gray than greige. As with any color, exposure plays a big part in how a color is perceived. For example, if you have south-facing light or a room with glorious afternoon western sun, Pavestone could lean into its gray roots. On the other hand, give it opposing light and Pavestone can fall back toward gray while holding a more passive warmth.

North, East, South, West – Which Paint Color is the Best?

 

WHAT’S PAVESTONE’S LRV?

Pavestone has an LRV of 32, putting it in the middle of the medium-depth range. This is a great depth for accent walls, cabinets, kitchen islands, exteriors, or, if you’re so inclined, an entire room!

Not sure what LRV is? It could save your paint-lovin’ life – read all about it HERE.

 

WHAT ARE PAVESTONE’S UNDERTONES?

If you don’t like purple undertones, you’ve come to the right place, as Pavestone caters to a subtle green undertone. While it doesn’t always show up to the party, you’ll be hard-pressed to have this color flashing purple (which is common for some greige-taupe hybrids).

Here’s your Peel & Stick sample of Pavestone…

 

WHAT’S THE BEST WHITE TRIM COLOR WITH PAVESTONE WALLS?

Pavestone is reasonably flexible regarding white paint colors, but I would lean into…

• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Sherwin Williams Extra White

The more yellow your white has in it, the more likely it is to activate the green in Pavestone.

Sherwin Williams Best White Paint Colors

 

DOES PAVESTONE GO WITH CREAM TRIM OR CABINETS?

Generally speaking, Pavestone doesn’t have enough green and isn’t warm enough to coordinate with the average cream cabinet or trim color. You risk Pavestone making your cream look even more yellow.

 

DOES PAVESTONE GO WITH WOOD TRIM OR CABINETS?

Pavestone can be gorgeous with wood trims, cabinets, and flooring; however, if your trims are medium-depth or darker, make sure you’re down for a more moody look. I prefer Pavestone with white trim to contrast with.

The Best Paint Colors with Dark Wood Trim

 

IS PAVESTONE A GOOD EXTERIOR COLOR?

Pavestone could be amazeballs on the exterior of your home, especially if you want to blend in some concrete or have a lot of mortar/brick. Just make sure your roof is okay with that subtle green undertone!

Pavestone only on shutters and trim, a nice complement to the siding color, brick, and stonework

5 Tips for Choosing an Exterior Paint Color

 

WHAT COLORS ARE SIMILAR TO PAVESTONE?

Color matching is impossible—there’s no such thing! Every color has its own particular nuances, and there will be no perfect match. You’ll see shifts in undertones, temperature, and depths, but you could check out colors with similar goals, such as…

• Sherwin Williams Fawn Brindle has a similar approach to Pavestone but offers more muddy warmth.
• Benjamin Moore Rockport Gray
• Sherwin Williams Acier is great if you want a color that drops most of the green found in Pavestone.

Fawn Brindle in cooler, north-east light

Sherwin Williams Rockport Gray

And if you’re thinking of color matching between brands (i.e., getting Benjamin Moore to make a Sherwin Williams paint color), you might want to read THIS first.

 

WHAT COLORS GO IN A PALETTE WITH PAVESTONE?

Pavestone is somewhat flexible and can entertain colors like…

• some Light greige paint colors with similar undertones/tendencies
• Some slightly darker gray-blue blends
• subtle, not-too-creamy cream paint colors
• Some off-white blends

READ MORE

The Best Light to Medium Greige Paint Colors: Sherwin Williams

The Best Stone-Inspired Greige, Taupem, & Beige Paint Colors

Paint Color Review of Sherwin Williams Dovetail

Not sure which paint color is best for YOUR home?

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

KYLIE M INTERIORS     E-DESIGN AND ONLINE VIRTUAL PAINT COLOR EXPERT, SPECIALIZING IN BENJAMIN MOORE AND SHERWIN WILLIAMS PAINT COLORS    DIY DECORATING AND DESIGN ADVICE BLO