Our Review of Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams
By: TessaSherwin Williams has been in business since 1866. Let that sink in! To this day, the brand remains successful, offering quality paint for your house’s exterior that can withstand environmental elements, while improving in quality year after year. We often suggest the brand’s Repose Gray to our clients, but admit the color isn’t for everyone. In this honest review of Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams, we discuss the ins and outs of this popular color.
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Repose Gray: A Versatile Neutral With Warm Undertones
Let’s talk about one of our favorite subjects: Undertones. While many grays are considered neutral, every shade of gray has a cool or warm undertone. With Repose Gray, you’re going to see some warm undertones, especially on sunny days where natural light plays an important role.
The undertones in Repose Gray make it a more difficult color to read. Sometimes this tricky gray appears neutral, other times you’ll see a greige tone, or even a hint of purple or green. I realize hearing purple may be frightening but in many ways, it gives the color a personality without being truly noticeable in natural light. Just enough to create interest but not too much to appear like the purple house on the block.
That said, Repose Gray appears differently depending on its surroundings. If located in a climate that experiences four seasons, we’ll help paint a picture for you. In the fall, the golden leaves will highlight the warm tinge in Repose Gray, and the sun will do the same in the summer. Spring rain and overcast days can make it almost look off-white, with possibly a dab of blue or purple. That said, even on a cloudy day or in an area with less sunshine, we’ve never seen Repose Gray look dull or dead.
Repose Gray Creates a Softer Look Than Some Whites
In an area with more natural light, Repose Gray appears warmer. Sometimes, adding modern elements to a home, like a horizontal railing or metal accents, can give off an industrial or more contemporary look. This can especially be true when you pair it with a cool white paint. Choosing a warmer light gray can soften your exterior! If you want an organic feel, a touch of wood trim or lighting with a Kelvin of 2,000-3,000 will also do the trick. For more exterior lighting tips, click here.
Repose Gray Appears Differently on Different Surfaces
Reason number one why we always suggest testing your exterior paint colors: Every paint looks differently depending on the surface. Many times paint appears lighter on your house than the chip you see while walking through the hardware store. Natural light is different than the overhead lights at the store, and sunshine brings a whole new element to the color.
It’s also important to remember the texture of the surface being painted. Different textures cast different shadows. This is especially true for the stippled, stucco homes. The popcorn appearance provides more shadowing… and it could be that that color looks more like the chip!
As seen, the brighter white trim on the windows and the darker shutters also help highlight the fact that this paint is truly a light gray and not white.
Applications for Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams
Steam by Benjamin Moore is an excellent trim color when used with Repose Gray. This off-white possesses similar undertones but still contrasts in a lovely way.
We are seeing many homeowners opt for a two-tone color palette to liven up a traditional exterior. Repose Gray plays well in this area, too. With the natural wood garage door and Iron Ore for the second tone, Repose Gray takes front and center on the brick and to highlight the doorway.
To show off this paint’s warmth, our designers often suggest pairing with stained wood, bronze gutters, and Halle Lights. Repose Gray works on a variety of architectural styles, from mid-century to classic colonial.
How Does Repose Gray Compare to Other Light Grays?
Gray Huskie: Similar Undertones
Gray Huskie by Benjamin Moore is an excellent option if you want a gray with similar undertones; however it is a tad darker than Repose Gray. Gray Huskie works well with a variety of lighting and can be used inside or outside. It is considered warm, with mild blue undertones, Gray Huskie is smooth and pleasing to the eye.
We always recommend sampling and testing paint colors before committing. Factors such as natural lighting, undertones, and your property’s fixed elements will have a significant impact on how a color will appear on your exterior. Our friends at Samplize offer extra-large 9 x 14.75 inch peel-and-stick paint samples of the colors we love for exteriors. Order your ‘Real Paint, No Mess’ samples from Samplize here.
Revere Pewter: A Greige Option
Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter certainly gives off a similar vibe as Repose Gray, but it’s darker with an LRV of 55.5. We classify Revere Pewter as more of a greige than a true gray, since you can definitely pick up the warmth in the color. So if you want more of a lighter, true gray, go with Repose Gray.
Jockey Hollow Gray: A Darker, Warm Gray Option
With an LRV of 39.47, Jockey Hollow Gray is considered a medium tone and a darker Benjamin Moore alternative to Repose Gray. In natural light, you may see a subtle green undertone in Jockey Hollow Gray, which contrasts well against white trim as well.
The Bottom Line on Repose Gray
To sum up our review of Repose Gray by Sherwin Williams, it appears to be a lighter gray with a warm undertone. It’s a great cross between a medium gray and off-white. The way this versatile color reads varies on the pairing, the day’s lighting, and the surrounding environment. We suggest testing Repose Gray on the surface being painted and taking note of how it appears during different times of day.
Lets start your paint visualization today.
Paint offers more than just a new look for your home. We know that choosing a new color can feel intimidating, but our brick&batten designers are here to help. And if you want ideas on colors, check out this article about popular 2021 exterior paints!
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