Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Dovetail SW 7018

Sherwin Williams Dovetail: a popular medium-toned gray

There aren’t many paint colours out there as versatile as Sherwin Williams Dovetail. Whole rooms, feature walls, cabinets, islands, interior doors, exteriors and more – is there anything Dovetail DOESN’T look good on? But, that doesn’t mean it will be the best fit for you and YOUR home, as it’s important to do your research before slapping any paint on those walls!

I love to show RELATEABLE & REAL homes, so ONLY use photos from my Online Colour 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 paint colour is Dovetail? Is it warm or cool? Gray or greige?

Dovetail is a WARM gray paint colour which means it’s a softer look compared to more traditional cool gray or charcoal paint colours.

If you have north-facing light, you may find Dovetail looking a ‘bit’ more like a traditional gray, while still holding a passive warmth. However, if you have south-facing or afternoon western light, you’re more likely to see the pretty warmth hiding inside of it.

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

What’s the LRV of Dovetail?

Dovetail has an LRV of 26, which means it’s a solid medium-depth paint colour.

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

What are the undertones of Dovetail? Will it look purple, blue or green?

Many of my Online Colour Consulting clients are looking for the PERFECT neutral gray paint colour. Sadly, this doesn’t exist as you’ll always have undertones to deal with. And while you can often find ANY of the three gray undertones in one colour, Dovetail favours a very (very) minor purple undertone that can sometimes pick up a flash of green.

Sherwin Williams Dovetail with an older style granite countertop

What’s the best way to sample Dovetail?

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 needed 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

If I’m painting my walls Dovetail, what’s the best white paint colour for my trim?

If I’m using Sherwin Williams paint, I’m most likely to recommend, Sherwin Williams High Reflective White or Sherwin Williams Pure White

The Best White Paint Colours for Cabinets, Trims & Walls

The 4 Best White Paint Colours from Sherwin Williams

Is Dovetail a good exterior colour for my siding?

Absolutely! With its medium-range LRV, Dovetail is a great choice for MANY exterior palettes. However, be aware that like its main competition, Metropolis, it might look a bit warmer than expected in some exterior lighting, especially south-facing, morning eastern or afternoon west-facing light. Just make sure it suits your stone, brick, roof and other exterior considerations.

Sherwin Williams Keystone Gray (top), Dovetail (bottom)

Sherwin Williams Alabaster with Dovetail shutters and metal roof

5 Tips to Choosing an Exterior Paint Colour

Is Dovetail a popular gray paint colour?

Due to its passive warmth and subtle undertones, Dovetail is VERY popular for siding, exterior doors and trims.

Is Dovetail a good paint colour for kitchen cabinets or an island?

You bet it is, but it can SOMETIMES be a wink warm for some of the popular gray, white and marble-look quartz and laminate countertops.

The Best Gray & Greige Paint Colours for Kitchen Cabinets

Does Benjamin Moore have a colour that’s similar to Dovetail

You won’t find an exact match for ANY colour between brands – you WILL see shifts in undertones, temperature and depths. However, Benjamin Moore Metropolis is a good comparable.

Benjamin Moore’s Best DARK Gray & Charcoal Paint Colours

What type of paint colours look good with Dovetail?

When it comes to Metropolis, it’s important to remember that it’s a CONSIDERABLY warm gray, so it’s not quite as flexible as a traditional gray paint colour. However, it does have some versatility with colours like…

some lighter grays that are the same warmth as it or even a bit warmer

some lighter greige paint colours with similar undertones

DOESN’T love to be partnered with colours that are lighter and cooler than itself unless there’s some good separation/walls between them

loves deep grounded, darker earth-tones, particularly some blue-gray blends

Not sure if Dovetail is right for you? Want a bit warmer or cooler? I’ve got more!

The 4 Best Paint Colours for a Kitchen Island

Paint Colour Review of Benjamin Moore Chelsea Gray

Paint Colour Review: Sherwin Williams Gauntlet Gray

Not sure which paint colour is best for YOUR home?

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

Chat soon,

WRITTEN IN EARLY 2019, UPDATED IN 2021

Amanda
May 17, 2022 at 8:47 am

Would dovetail as an accent wall in one room look ok with hale navy as a kitchen island? You would be able to see both colors standing in either room.

terri
June 22, 2022 at 2:59 am

HI,
I do really like this paint color. If I use it for the walls of a small bathroom, do you think peppercorn will jive with it for a vanity color? i know one is more warm and the other is more cool. the bathroom has no light to outside. so it doesn’t have natural light. TIA