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Design Inspiration

Gray is the new brown

August 01, 2016

Charleston model in Richmond

The latest trend in kitchen design is definitely a gray area… as in gray cabinets.

In fact, gray has taken the entire home by storm, effectively replacing beige as the neutral of choice. There’s even a paint color called “Perfect Greige” by Sherwin Williams now! Pardon the pun, but it’s great for everything, even the kitchen sink with the popular stainless steel apron sinks available now!

At Eastwood Homes, we try to stay on top of new trends in homebuilding with ever-evolving floorplans and updated technological options in the home. We also do our best to stay on top of new design trends. And, as the old adage goes, kitchens sell. Much of our attention is placed on the design of the kitchen, so rightfully so, this is where we see much of the change in our design schemes. You may have noticed that we’ve added farmhouse sinks as an option in some of our divisions, and we even have designer stainless steel oven hoods in Raleigh. And now, we offer the option of gray cabinets in all of our divisions.

“It’s really nice when people ask if we have gray cabinets to be able to say, ‘Yes!’”, said Charlotte Design Center Manager Amanda Ripani. “They see the gray cabinets on Pinterest and Houzz and they want it too!”

The new shade in cabinet finishes has stolen the spotlight in what is often the favorite gathering place in the home, the kitchen. It has replaced the tried-and-true wood-tone cabinets and added yet another choice to the recent favorite trends of black or white painted cabinets.

We’re sure we’re not telling you anything new about gray. But we have discovered that some homebuyers are unsure of what to pair with their gray cabinets. We are here to tell you that the options are endless!

Those trendy new gray cabinets will go with almost any granite choice because nearly all countertop colors pair well with gray cabinets. Gray is neutral just like brown so it complements many colors, especially considering that granite often has gray veins or flecks in the stone. As it is a more trendy color, you can also get a little wild and pair it with something more exciting like aqua! Or, go monochromatic and choose a gray granite, too!

Our gray color in Charlotte, for example, is more of a gray taupe, so it works with even more choices. In Raleigh, we offer two shades of gray to choose from, again adding to the possibilities. Some divisions, such as Raleigh, allow for accent cabinets on the kitchen island, another popular trend!

When referencing our current homebuyers opting for gray cabinets, Amanda commented, “Most of the time they are choosing a lighter granite or a granite with some kind of gray in it."

Flooring choices are endless, too. Many of the homebuyers visiting our Design Studios select a dark espresso-colored floor, or the new gray distressed LVP floors.

There are so many choices with gray, and it works with the many different styles that our homebuyers appreciate.

“Gray can have a farmhouse feel, or work in a contemporary home, or even be a popular choice with our Millennial buyers,” Amanda commented. “It’s really a fresh take on white cabinets. A lot of people are doing white, but gray is still a neutral that offers a new choice, while not being too dark, either. It’s a perfect compromise!”

Decorating Ideas, Decorating new homes, Decorating Trends, Eastwood Homes, New Homes, Design Center, Kitchens

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