Our Review of Dovetail by Sherwin Williams

By:

Because of its incredible versatility, subtle warm undertones, and calming effect, Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail is one of our go-to gray exterior paint colors. We love it so much that we even named it one of the best Sherwin Williams paint colors for 2023. Keep reading to learn all about Dovetail, including our recommended applications, ideal paint color pairings, and more.

AT BRICK&BATTEN, WE WANT YOU TO LOVE YOUR HOME, AND THAT INCLUDES ITS PAINT COLORS. WE HELP YOU VISUALIZE YOUR DREAM HOME BEFORE BRINGING IT TO LIFE WITH OUR VIRTUAL EXTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES.

Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

A home rendered in Sherwin Williams' Dovetail

Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail: The specs

With an LRV of 26, Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail is a warm gray tone that’s both elegant and earthy. (Don’t know what LRV is? It’s short for light reflectance value and hugely important to consider when painting your home exterior. Check out our complete guide to LRV here.)

This saturated shade has a slight softness and a good amount of depth to it. Dovetail can appear a bit warmer in certain lighting, so be sure to test the shade on your exterior to confirm it’s a good fit.

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. 

Recommended applications for Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail

Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail looks great just about anywhere. We often use it as a base color, but it also works well on garage doors, shutters, and trim. Above, Dovetail is used on the column base and porch floor with Sherwin Williams’ Alpaca on the brick, stucco, and columns.

Dovetail is a solid choice for stucco homes, brick, and more. We often use it alongside natural materials like stone and wood.

A home with siding rendered in Dovetail by Sherwin Williams

Dovetail color pairings

Here’s a great example of Dovetail being used in conjunction with a variety of other colors. While Dovetail is featured on the vertical siding, our designers recommended Sherwin Williams’ Repose Gray on the stucco and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White on the eaves, trim, and columns.

A home with limewashed brick and accents painted with Sherwin Wiliams' Dovetail

The above design shows how Dovetail can be used as an accent. The hue looks lovely with the home’s limewashed brick and copper accents.

medium warmth Sherwin Williams Dovetail gray toned painted two story home

This rendering shows Dovetail on the siding with Benjamin Moore’s Bear Creek, a slightly darker hue, on the trim and Sherwin Williams’ Tricorn Black on the gutters and windows. Wood accents and a bit of natural brick add more warmth to the exterior.

large scale horizontal photo of a Sherwin Williams Dovetail gray painted house with darker grey window trim and a natural tone driveway and frontscape

Pros and cons of Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail

PROS:

  • It’s endlessly versatile — great for a wide variety of homes and harmonizes with tons of colors
  • Dovetail has a soothing effect

CONS:

  • If you want to make a bold statement, Dovetail might not be the best option
  • It can appear warmer in certain lighting

Alternatives to Dovetail

Dovetail might be one of the most versatile grays around, but it won’t work for every home. Here are a few alternatives to consider.

A home rendered in Sherwin Williams' Repose Gray

Sherwin Williams’ Repose Gray

Repose Gray is another versatile neutral with warm undertones. With an LRV of 58, Repose Gray is a good option if you want something a bit lighter than Dovetail. In the design above, Repose Gray is used alongside Benjamin Moore’s Kendall Charcoal and Sherwin Williams’ Iron Ore.

A home rendered in Sherwin Williams' Mindful Gray

Sherwin Williams’ Mindful Gray

Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams is another warm gray we love using on home exteriors. With minimal undertones and an LRV of 48, Mindful Gray is a nice neutral that’s just a bit lighter than Dovetail. It’s shown here with Sherwin Williams’ Pure White and Urbane Bronze.

brick home with a mix of natural stone and Sherwin Williams Dovetail-painted siding

The bottom line on Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail

There aren’t many medium-depth gray paint tones on the market that can accomplish as much as Sherwin Williams’ Dovetail. Dovetail’s applications and paint color pairings are seemingly endless, making it a smart choice for just about any home exterior.

DESIGNING YOUR HOME’S EXTERIOR CAN GET COMPLICATED. LET THE TEAM AT BRICK&BATTEN SIMPLIFY IT. BY ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS, WE CAN GET TO WORK ON RENDERING THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS. GET STARTED ON YOUR EXTERIOR DESIGN PROJECT.

Author