Sherwin Williams Retreat – A Calming Green Gray Neutral
Green gray paint colors have been trending in a big way, and I'm here for it.
If you've been on a quest for a paint color that embodies modern, calm and coastal, have I got a fresh and lovely color for you.
So relax and sit a while, and let's check out how you how you can bring that peaceful vibe to your home with Sherwin Williams Retreat.
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What Color Is Sherwin Williams Retreat 6207?
Sherwin Williams Retreat is in the green family. It's a fresh sage green neutral mellowed out by cool undertones. As one of the darker green gray paints, Retreat will reside most contentedly on cabinets and bedroom accent walls or wherever you want a subtle splash of color. In fact Retreat is one paint color that sounds just like its name: a sanctuary hideaway where you can retreat to find peace.
I don't recommend committing to Retreat as the primary neutral in your whole house color palette, because it's a tad too dark, so if you're on the hunt for an all-wall green gray, hop over to my reviews on SW Sea Salt, SW Oyster Bay or SW Comfort Gray.
Is SW Retreat warm or cool?
Whether a green gray neutral leans cool or warm really depends on the ratio of green (a warm color) to gray (a cool color) in the mix. Because of its undertones, Retreat SW definitely falls on the cooler end of the spectrum.
All green gray paint blends shift and morph in the light, and Retreat is no exception. North facing rooms may diminish the green in Retreat and emphasize its gray undertones, giving the room a cooler feel. In rooms facing south, or outdoors in the sun, you'll see the organic green hues take the lead.
What are the undertones for Sherwin-Williams Retreat?
Retreat has a healthy dose of gray undertone with a subtle flavor of blue. These undertones relax the green and turn it into a perfectly subdued color that is never too bright or in your face.
What is the LRV of Sherwin Williams Retreat?
The LRV of Retreat by Sherwin Williams is 21, which means it's a medium dark color that absorbs more light than it reflects.
The Light Reflectance Value, or LRV, measures how much light a paint color reflects and indicates on a scale from 1-100 how light or dark a color is with 1=darkest black and 100=brightest white. (No paint color actually measures a perfect 1 or 100).
The higher the LRV, the more light is reflected by the color, and the lower the LRV, the more light the paint absorbs. This affects how you see color in a room and is one reason your paint can look so different on your walls than it does in the store on a paint strip.
The LRV issue is one reason I strongly recommend testing Sherwin Williams Retreat on the walls before making a decision.
Looking to test paint colors but don't want to paint? Samplize offers peel and stick paint samples from all major paint brands delivered to your door so you can put them up on the wall with no mess.
Retreat Sherwin Williams Vs Other Green Gray Paint Colors
Mixing green and gray together offers an endless variety of paint color possibilities which is both wonderful - because you can always find the perfect blend - and not so wonderful - the sheer amount of choices can bring on a serious case of overwhelm. To make it easier, I've narrowed down the comparison to three top green gray paints most likely to give SW Retreat a run for its money.
Sherwin Williams Retreat vs Pewter Green
If you're wanting to bring more punch to a focal point wall, a darker shade like SW Pewter Green will definitely deliver. Pewter Green has much deeper gray undertones than Retreat Sherwin Williams, and in a low-lit room can appear quite dark gray and even black. Retreat's lighter blue undertones will keep it from ever looking that dark so if you want a color that's quieter, go with Retreat.
SW Retreat vs Evergreen Fog
In contrast, if SW Retreat is too dark for your senses, take a walk on the light side with SW Evergreen Fog. Side by side, SW Retreat is noticeably darker and appears more metal gray-ish than green-ish like Evergreen Fog. Like Retreat, Evergreen Fog has blue undertones mixed with the gray, making both these shades a lovely cool neutral.
SW Retreat vs Acacia Haze
SW Acacia Haze is on the same color strip as Sherwin-Williams Retreat and is basically just Retreat one full step lighter. Both these colors make an amazing secondary or accent color in your home color palette. On north facing walls, Acacia Haze is more likely to have a smidgen of blue pop up unexpectedly, whereas Retreat is darker and will lean more fully into the gray side. Neither of these shades is heavy handed and will work in a variety of home decor styles.
Remember, if you're stuck between two or three choices and can't make up your mind, head to Samplize and grab a few peel and stick paint samples for your walls.
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Photos Of Homes With Sherwin Williams Retreat Color Palette
While I don't recommend Retreat as your primary interior neutral, you can totally go all out with it on the exterior.
Sherwin Williams Retreat exterior
An SW Retreat exterior blends perfectly with its natural outdoor surroundings, providing character and depth in a very organic manner. Retreat is toned down enough to get along with the other houses in your neighborhood, especially if you use an off-white trim like Sherwin Williams Snowbound to balance it out.
Sherwin Williams Retreat cabinets
Looking at the pics below, it's easy to see why a green gray paint like SW Retreat is enjoying a surge of popularity on cabinets. Retreat green Sherwin Williams gets along well with just about any metal hardware finish and looks both modern and tranquil in the entryway, bathroom, office, kitchen or anywhere you want serenity and peace.
Sherwin Williams Retreat bedroom
Ahhhhh, the bedroom. Doesn't this make you want to grab a book, kick off your shoes and relax after a hard day. With Sherwin Williams Retreat green on that board and batten accent wall, the stage is set for just that. Because Retreat is a color based on nature, it inspires a soothing sense of calm that will never look outdated.
Sherwin Williams Retreat living room
Yes, you can put a dark medium gray green paint color like SW Retreat on all four walls. There's no rule that says you can't.
This room is a great example of incorporating multiple shades of white and beige to bring depth, create contrast, and break up the darkness. The result is cozy comfort and visual appeal.
Sherwin Williams Retreat Coordinating Colors
As a cool neutral Sherwin Williams Retreat prefers to seek out other cool neutrals to pair up with like SW Pure White and SW Snowbound for the trim. You can also go with greige that's on the lighter end of the scale like the perennial favorite Agreeable Gray Sherwin Williams. For a monochromatic look, SW Sea Salt is also in the gray green family and adds a delightful contrast to SW Retreat.
Blonde, gray or white oak cabinets, shelves and flooring also offer a stunning counterpoint to the depth of SW Retreat. Lots of wood plus lush plants with Retreat paint color enhances the organic feel of nature in your room.
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