Learning To Embrace The Gray
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I’m learning to embrace the house’s gray walls and cabinets that I named Mamie.
Did you think I meant gray hair in the title? Well, I’m doing that too. I’m trying to let my hair grow. There’s just this stubborn cowlick that drives me round the bend. Does anyone know how to deal with that?
Anyway, this paint color has been in the house for a while. As Kendra said, years ago, gray was “the” color in house interiors. ‘Tis true.
So learning to embrace the gray is part of this new journey I’m on.
I never cared for this color in my Crayola box. When I thought of the color gray, I’d always think of people saying: “Oh my, it’s such a gray day!” I don’t recall anyone ever saying, “Well, isn’t it a beige day outside?”
This morning I was awake at 4 a.m. worrying myself about this. Those wild ideas you get in the wee hours of the morning before light creeps underneath the curtains.
I asked myself if I should try to get the walls painted before I move in next week. But then I reminded myself the cabinets are gray too.
This, of course, is ridiculous. You can’t expect to get something that big done inside a week. And then dollar signs painted themselves across the dark walls of my bedroom.
Learning to embrace the gray isn’t about rushing decisions. It’s about accepting “what is.” And working with it. Maybe even enjoying it.
It isn’t that I don’t like it. I’ve just never worked with this hue before. I look at the gray walls, and a question mark automatically appears above my head.
Just Embrace It Already:
So just a few hours ago, I decided to embrace the gray walls. It’s silly to worry over such a thing when so many folks in this town are homeless and don’t even have any walls.
Let it go, I told myself. It doesn’t matter if I don’t own anything gray. (Well, several pairs of sweatpants and two T-shirts.)
The gray is kind of beginning to grow on me. I guess if you look at something enough times, it’s sort of a given that you will come to accept it. (Most of my looking is still online, of course.)
I’m now bound and determined to work my furniture and decor into Mamie’s gray haven. I’m landing in a nest, and that’s all that matters.
Color is coming back into my home in a big way. I’m weary of the neutrals. I still think neutral furniture is a good idea unless you have the money to switch out couches and chairs often.
Neutral Furnishings/Colorful Accessories:
The point is to “build” upon those neutral colors with a few or a plethora of colors. I’ve got a Crayon box of colors now swimming in my head. I’m craving color.
I’ll show you photos of some of the new changes Kendra sent me this morning. This poor girl has to work for a living around all my stuff, and boy, does she need time off!
I told her to give me a list of plumbers, electricians, etc., and I will handle things concerning Mamie from now on. She can let go of the reins on November 1st.
The Porch Railing:
These are just quick cell phone pics she sent. Keep in mind that the house will be painted whenever the painter has Mamie on his schedule. We’ve pretty much decided on blue siding, white trim, and a green door.
Maybe even a green mailbox. And I could look into a green house number, I suppose. I like things to look balanced. The white trim was either Kendra’s idea or the painter’s.
I don’t know about those black objects that look like they’re holding the roof up, figuratively speaking.
And not figuratively speaking, the top does sag a bit. I don’t suppose it will fall, will it? It must be hard holding something up for 103 years and counting.
The Quilt Closet Shelves:
Kendra decided to have someone build shelves in one of the closets for my quilts. I didn’t ask for this. It was her idea.
As you can imagine, people probably didn’t have many clothes in 1921 because closets were tiny. It might be time to start checking Facebook Marketplace for one of those old wardrobes we used to have when I was a child.
The Shower Grab Bars:
She decided to have grab bars installed next to the toilet as well. It makes you feel old when your child (who will, incidentally, be 50 in November) decides that you need grab bars in the bathroom.
“I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” Remember that Life Alert TV commercial? I have always managed to get up. So far, anyway.
Once at my old apartment, I recall waking up on my living room floor in the middle of the night. The last memory I had was of walking down the hallway. I just got up and went back to bed.
Weather Stripping:
I think Jan mentioned that weather stripping was needed for the back door. She is always so pragmatic and wise. I can always count on Jan to come up with practical ideas I haven’t thought of yet. (Thanks, Jan! I sure appreciate you!)
You could see through a crack between the door and the door jamb. The weather stripping has been added.
It looks like someone moved the old refrigerator into this space. The new one arrives next week.
Hallway, Doorway, Or Anteroom?
I don’t really know what to call this area. It’s not really called a hallway or a doorway.
The hallway from the front door to the back is more expansive than I expected. I think it’s more than six feet wide.
An anteroom? Is it called an anteroom?
(I’m typing with a wrist and thumb brace, and I’m sleep-deprived, so things may not be perfect.)
Can’t wait to see Mamie after you get settled in and get her decorated, she’s gonna be one gorgeous lady!
I made the decision a couple of years back to let my gray hair come in, love not having to keep up with color. The women in my family go a beautiful salt and pepper gray and I will wear it and love it.
You would not believe how many compliments I get about my shirt gray hair. I use a product from Sally’s to tone the brassiness.
It will stain everything like towels so I use it carefully. I have a cookbook with funny comments. One says something like “I find two groups with purple hair interesting; teenagers and mature women.” I hope you enjoy your natural color as much as I do. Mamie is one of us, too.
This is so exciting. Your decorating posts have been some of my favorites for years. My apartment has gray walls and I can’t wait to see what you do with yours.
I think gray walls can offer a great chance to add splashes of most any color(s) because it is so neutral. Think of what colors you like with gray in your wardrobe. I’m a huge fan of bright primary colors so I often put red, royal blue, hot pink and Kelly green with gray. Also, one decorating tip I learned from my mother is that every room should have a touch of black…a great compliment to gray!
I love reading your stories about Mamie. I also love old houses and wish I could live in one like yours. Have fun and enjoy your little gem!!!
Your red accents and dishes will go great with the gray. Embrace the color and then make changes after 9 to 12 months and it will feel like a new room. Take it one step at a time.
There are so many comments already that I haven’t read them all, so this may already have been said. While gray isn’t a color I like either, it is a fabulous neutral base that almost every color pops against. I think you will find it can look even better than a neutral white or beige that you are used to. don’t try to “include” it in your decor, just use all your favorite colors as usual, and the gray will fade into the background. that’s pretty nice of her to install those closet shelves. and I love a wide hallway, enjoy it!
I’m embracing the gray hair but it’s a big challenge at times. I was blonde until my teen years then dark strawberry blond until the gray started. During the pandemic my home color grew out & now my hair is graying heavily in front with more & more salt & pepper elsewhere. I can’t get used to the “pepper” since my hair was never dark brown like my mom & sister! It’s just weird! So I have a pixie with heavy gray in front. If I could afford lowlights to even things out, I would do that. I want to embrace aging but it’s tough, you know?
I prefer any color wall to white since being a lifelong renter, that’s been my default forever. A tiny house I rented in the early pandemic had light gray walls. I liked the contrast. I saw it as more of a neutral & lots of natural light hid any “gloom”!
You may want a couple of accent walls after you settle in. Or not. Your lovely houseplants will bring green inside!
Kudos to you for taking on such a huge moving project – Just a quick comment on ‘grey’ – not my favorite either, but last year I did 6 months in Assisted Living with grey apt. walls. I used lots of yellow and also bright white in my bedding, rugs, etc. That cheered me up and was tempered by the grey walls. Pink & grey were popular in the ’50s – also turquoise goes well with greys. I’m enjoying your move vicariously. Thanks for taking us stay-at-homes along.
I have varying shades of gray in my house … walls are light gray, kitchen cabinets are white on top, and a warm gray below. I used the warm gray on decorative shelves also. It’s been very easy to decorate with … I started with purple and green a few years ago when we moved in and have transitioned to various shades of teal and aqua. The tile floors are a light greige and carpet in the bedrooms is a medium silvery gray. I live in hot!! Arizona and everyone has beige or white and I wanted something a little different but not overpowering and it’s worked well for me. With your love of color I think you will find it a very friendly color to work with. Can’t wait to see what you do with your new home.
I can already see that you are unhappy with little things even before you move in to your rental.Its not perfect. It’s a rental. You shouldn’t change everything your daughter has spent money on to fix it up. It’s beautiful as is.
I have the grey wall going on here. I have mixed it with yellows, burnt oranges, navy blue, red and greens. Of course not all at the same time. I have been reading your blog since you were in Texas. You write very well. As I have always lived in old houses and at times had no running water that room was used to do the laundry. We also had no power so we either did it by hand in a tub or, when we got an electric wringer washer we would run a long extension cord to that area. I am in Canada and we always called it the utility room.