All About Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray + 28 Real Homes That Use It…
Stonington Gray, by Benjamin Moore, (AKA HC-170) is a color “steeped in tradition” (or at least Benjamin Moore says so)! I would have to agree with them based upon the number of gorgeous homes painted in Stonington Gray that can be found on the internet.
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Stonington Gray is seen both on the interior, and exterior of homes from all eras. You’ll see the color pinned on Pinterest, and posted with pride on many an Instagram feed.
And before we dive into this paint color, I have a question for you. What do you know about choosing the right paint sheen? It’s an important part of the paint equation and one that a lot of people don’t truly understand. That’s why I created this simple guide!
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But be that as it may, it still can be hard to figure out if this particular shade of grey is “the one” for you, am I right? Hopefully, this post will help you answer that question!
Do you know how you hear a phrase and sometimes wonder how on Earth that came to being? Well, if you’ve ever shopped for gray paint, then you understand completely how “it’s a gray area” or “shades of gray” came to being. Shopping for grey paint is a challenge, to say the least! But it’s not an insurmountable or even unenjoyable task. We just have to take it step-by-step.
And step one? To use another popular, although definitely more puzzling phrase, we’ll start by going straight “to the horse’s mouth” for an explanation of the color…
Other Colors Covered in our Paint Exploration Series:
Here’s what Ben Moore has to say about their popular paint shade HC-170 AKA “Stonington Gray”:
First, here’s the “numerical” details, or the LRV.
Stonington Gray LRV = 59.75
LRV = Light Reflectance Value: Rated 0-100 with 0 being pure black, and 100 being pure white. Lighter paint shades REFLECT more light from them and therefore have a HIGHER LRV, and vice versa for darker shades). Below see Stonington Gray (59.75) side by side with pure white (100):
As I said earlier, Benjamin Moore has put Stonington Gray in its Historic Color collection. They describe this collection as: “A collection of 191 time-honored hues comprises our most popular palette.
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Steeped in tradition, the refined, elegant colors of the Historical Collection deliver timeless color that can be used in traditional as well as contemporary spaces. Unveiled in 1976 to celebrate the US bicentennial, a collection of 191 colors inspired by America’s historic landmarks.”
That definitely gives you a sense that Stonington Gray is a color that has stood the test of time and is a color with some gravitas to it. Let’s take an even closer look at this classic gray!
Stonington Gray Color Comparison:
To understand the Stonington Gray undertones and overall color profile a bit more, let’s look at Stonington Gray next to several other popular Benjamin Moore colors.
Stonington Gray vs. Wickham Gray:
When comparing the classic gray of Stonington Gray to Wickham Gray, you can see why Stonington Gray is in the more traditional gray family. It has a truer gray undertone compared to Wickham Gray, which can read more of a blue/green-gray.
Stonington Gray also is a darker shade (with an LRV of 59.75) than Wickham Gray (with an LRV of 68.94), so go with Stonington if you are looking for a richer tone on your walls.
Stonington Gray vs. Revere Pewter:
Oh Revere Pewter, how you are so loved by many, many home decorators. Your dark and moody but not overpowering feel, makes you a great fit when you don’t want the gray to sit back as a silent backdrop. In comparison, Stonington Gray is more like a tween in its moodiness compared to the high school level of Revere Pewter moodiness (do people get any moodier than as a teen?!). Stonington Gray is lighter, airier and may blend in more with your decor than stand out.
Gray Owl vs. Stonington Gray:
We’ve done an in-depth look at Gray Owl. However, it’s worth another look here with Stonington Gray. Gray Owl is on the lighter and brighter side, which makes it so popular in basically any room. It doesn’t require a ton of natural sunlight to allow it to brighten up a space.
In comparison, Stonington Gray is darker and may not be your choice if you are looking for a paint color to brighten up your home.
Stonington Gray vs. Edgecomb Gray:
As we start looking at Edgecomb Gray, we start wandering into the more “greige” family – that place between beige and gray. It is a shade that can go with so many different styles and spaces. Edgecomb Gray is definitely one of those go-to paint colors that walks the line between beige and gray. It still reads a little darker than Stonington Gray so be wise on the room you are choosing with Edgecomb Gray.
OK, let’s get back into some more of the colors that are in that gray family rather than greiges…
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A Few More Color Comparisons to Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray Paint:
The photo below has a very cool hue to it, but it still is a good representation of many different (and popular) Benjamin Moore colors. You can see how Stonington Gray (LRV again for reference is 59.75) compares to several Benjamin Moore shades. Some we mentioned above, however, it’s helpful to see them all in one place for comparison’s sake.
Looking at color strips helps you hone in closer to the shade you want. Do you want lighter? Darker? More blue than green? Ask yourself those questions as you start looking at each shade below.
Below, you can see even more B.M. grays. Thundercloud Gray and Bunny Gray have a lot of blue tones in them.
Now that we’ve taken a close up look at the swatches and made some comparisons, let’s take a look at where the rubber meets the road. Or in this case, where the paintbrush meets the wall.
We’ll check out how Stonington Gray looks in some real spaces under lots of different lighting situations and with lots of other “things” in the rooms (furniture, countertops, etc) that the paint can play on.
Remember that photos on a computer screen are in no way a substitute for seeing a real sample on your own wall, but I think it can be really helpful to at least rule colors “in” to buy samples for, or “out” to just scratch completely.
Stonington Gray Kitchens and Dining Rooms:
1. @chalet_colorado:
This kitchen proves that Stonington Gray is not just for walls! This color seems like it was made for cabinets – it’s not too saturated and won’t make your kitchen look like a dark hole. It’s also not too light that people wonder if their eyes are playing tricks on them and have to squint to try to figure out if the cabinets are white…or some other shade!
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2. @rehabber.ryn:
What a beautiful example of Stonington Gray actually taking the back seat to beautiful woodworking details in the room. This just goes to show that a darker color in the right setting can still be bright!
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3. @rehabber.ryn:
Here’s another space by the same designer (I think we can tell that Stonington Gray is his go-to color) except this time he is using it on two tone kitchen cabinets. The top cabinets are Stonington Gray while the bottoms are white, all married together with a glass gray tonal backsplash. Well done!
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4. @mandy.gladden:
Stonington Gray works in all styles of homes, like this more rustic chic dining room. I am dying over the peek of the old wooden front door just outside the dining room that adds a lot of warmth to the room. The use of the brown tones throughout definitely brings out warmer brown undertones in this paint color.
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5. @erin_vt:
There is just something that stole my heart with this simple minimalist antique dining room (how’s that for an explanation of a room?!). It is just darling with the light wood tones juxtaposed against a more modern light fixture with the true classic paint color of Stonington Gray.
Living Spaces Painted with Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray:
6. @Painttransferdesign:
Be still my beating heart! This living room is what dreams are made of! Look – even the Property Brothers are pointing at the gorgeous wall color. I think Stonington Grey by Benjamin Moore was the perfect choice for this room. The way the blue rug picks up the undertones of this gray is stunning. Slow. Clap.
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7. @Lauriespraguedesigns:
Sometimes it is that close up shot that really helps you see a paint color shine! The bright white fireplace versus the beautifully clean and fresh looking Stonington Gray shows how with white and natural light, Stonington Gray can be bright and beautiful!
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8. @lauraf1285:
Sometimes making one corner finished and perfect in your house gives you the strength to keep going on the rest. This beautiful corner shows how Stonington Gray can work with gray furniture too!
9. @belovedhomedecor:
All hail the power of neutrals! This living room shows how perfect styling paired with the right neutrals creates a room with lots of depth. Stonington Gray is the gorgeous backdrop to the lighter furnishings and curtains, making it a very polished place to sit down and let your troubles be washed away in this comforting oasis.
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10. @belovedhomedecor:
This is where you see gray and blue come together in perfect harmony. Sometimes it can be hard to find the right shades of blue and gray that play well together and not make the room feel too cold. This living room is a great example of how blue and gray can be cozy and warm together.
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Stonington Gray Bedrooms:
11. @drycreekfarmhouse:
Sometimes you just need something special in the closet (aside from your clothes) and Stonington Gray delivers on all sides of this closet (pun intended)! The warm wood tone of the door and trim play well with the crisp white of the shelving and the cool gray on the walls.
12. @missmustardseed:
Miss Mustard Seed does it again with a stately and charming bedroom featuring our favorite classic color – Benjamin Moore’s Stonington Gray! The antique accents in the lines of the bed and the chandelier play perfectly with this stately color. Stonington Gray complements the rooms and adds just a little “oomph” to the walls.
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13. @whitehousedesign.nj:
I could not help but include this darling little girl’s room! The white board and batten paired with Stonington Gray and pops of pink just make this room happy! This is a great example of how to use a darker color in a room yet not have it be overpowering.
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14. @rehabber.ry:
I can just picture myself running and jumping onto this fluffy bed and sinking into it forever. Sigh. Ok, I’m back from my day dreaming. This again goes to show that pairing neutrals is all about playing with textures and tones. Stonington Gray comes through as the winning backdrop color!
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15. @mandy.gladden:
Once again, I think we can make another conclusion based on the patterns we are seeing in these spaces: Stonington Gray is a great neutral color for pairing with neutrals and can go with most shades of brown and gray.
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Benjamin Moore Stonington Gray Bathrooms & Laundry Rooms:
16. @themomrenovation:
Wow, it’s amazing how colors can change based on their environment. This bathroom with no natural light and lots of neutrals almost makes this bathroom look like it has pink undertones on the wall!
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17. @atashleysplace:
This bathroom brings together the beauty of Stonington Gray and marble to create a very elegant bathroom space. The gray of Stonington Gray works well with the white and gray marble, perfectly complementing each other and elevating the bathroom to a grandiose look.
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18. @rehabber.ryn:
You sometimes wonder if gray and dark brown can go together. Well, this bathroom proves that at least Stonington Gray and dark brown most definitely work together! The brown actually brings out the softer undertones of Stonington Gray and warms up the room quite a bit.
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19. @walczak_design_build:
I’m sensing a pattern the more I look at Stonington Gray and bathrooms: it seems to be just the right shade of gray when using a lot of white (like a porcelain tub or marble tile) in a bathroom. The two seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly – always a classic and you can never go wrong!
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20. @bethduc:
This bathroom has a little more rustic vibe, bringing in wood tones and natural textures with some distressing right around the corners. Even with no natural light, this bathroom works with Stonington Gray with all the different textures breaking up how much dark wall you actually see.
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Stonington Gray in Hallways:
21. @michelleberwickdesign:
Oh heyyyyy Stonington Gray as a TRIM! What a great contrast to see this Benjamin Moore paint choice on trim work instead of the wall. Contrast trim is having a big moment and using Stonington Gray in this hallway may be the best usage I’ve seen yet.
22. @missmustardseed:
Please be warned (and read the caption) on this post due to the fact that Stonington Gray is mixed at 50% strength to tone down it’s color. However, even lightened up, it is stunning in this hallway and dining room. It’s a good reminder that you can do this with a darker color to lighten up the shade yet still keep the characteristic gray undertones of that specific paint color.
23. @ourwelldesignedlife:
Hello Stonington Gray in all its high school moodiness! Yet, I am loving the muddy undertones here that are making this entry way dramatic. You can see how not as much natural light really changes the feel of this room in a delightfully dramatic way!
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Other Stonington Gray Paint Sightings:
24. @in.style.design:
Stonington Gray is making this office shine in all the right ways! The white and natural fibers of the baskets and wood floor and desk play together well to make an open and airy space. I could also see this color palette working perfectly in a beach house!
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25. @stolensyndicate:
This angle is funny because, as the caption says, it is the view from the La-Z-Boy. This room definitely has a more blue/green hue, which may be due to the fact that this is a darker looking space that doesn’t seem to have a ton of natural light. The lack of light really seems to bring out the moody undertones, and I’m here for it. Also, Moody Undertones would be a GREAT band name! 🙂
26. @kristina.steinmetz:
Stonington Gray is shown on the cabinets here in this calming and minimalist space. The gray and lighter wood tone floors complement each other well in a very classic yet modern look.
Stonington Gray Exteriors:
27. @fieldstonecottage:
Doesn’t snow make everything more magical?! Even though Stonington Gray is gorgeous and charming on this house without the snow, adding that little white brightness around the edges makes this home a jaw dropper. I’m completely sold on using Stonington Gray on an exterior paired with crisp white to modernize your home while still keeping it classic.
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28. @eleven_ford:
I am SO sold on Stonington Gray for the exterior on a home! This is a quaint home that looks like she just got all dressed up with her best outfit for date night with a new dress (Stonington Gray) that makes all her jewelry pop and shine. Maybe that was a little much but you get my drift. This house looks so bright and happy with Stonington Gray on her!
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And that brings us to the end of this color study! I hope that this has given you a bit more of a glimpse into whether or not Stonington Gray is a color that you’d like to use in your own home!
Have more color questions? Check out our “Paint Perfect” Video course! It teaches you my 6-step, failproof method for choosing paint colors! As a homeowner 5 times over, a landlord for 15+ years and a real estate agent, I’ve had a LOT of experience choosing paint colors over the years!
I created this method to take the confusion and guesswork out of choosing paint for people. So if choosing paint is your Achille’s Heel, definitely give this a look right away!
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Sue osborne says
Heather,
What an incredible job you did here, all that research, finding so many grey/gray options, all done well.
But it just reinforces my life long hate of grey/gray/greige, whatever.
I long for rich primary colors, plus those oranges and shades of yellows, but please don’t head me towards those awful lilacs and purples being perpetrated in the online and paper magazines now.
I would be happier with true, clear whites and some oatmeal, tan tossed in. But grey/gray is way too awful and depressing now.