The Prettiest Shade of Gray—and How to Decorate With It (2024)

Have you met the ideal gray color-meets-material yet? It's not too cool nor too warm, and designers love it. Enter: Pewter. The color takes its name from the metal, which has been used in everything from hardware to light fixtures, tabletop items, and surface materials (it's a kitchen countertop favorite, in particular!). The dictionary defines pewter as "a gray alloy of tin with copper and antimony," so, basically, it's a metal that looks a lot like silver, though it has bluer undertones and isn't as shiny as other types of metal materials. Best yet, it ages beautifully, and you may even realize that you already have some lovely antique pewter pieces yourself.

In the design industry today, pewter can refer to certain shades of gray fabric, paint, wallpaper, and more. For example, if you've decided you want to paint a room a light and bright neutral color but would prefer to steer clear of a plain white and don't love the look of beige, then pewter is the lovely gray tone you need in your life. Ahead, see some of our favorite ways to decorate with the pewter, both the color and its namesake metal (Psst: shop pewter decor here and here once you've seen all the designer inspo below).

Dress it up with industrial pieces.

Accent with it for vintage character.

Jane Hawkins Hoke arranged fresh cut flowers in a pewter pitcher on the bedside table in this majestic yet laidback mountain bedroom. Mixing antiques and patinated items assert in a perfectly imperfect look, ideal for a polished yet casual and relaxing country home. Tartan upholstery from Ralph Lauren Home, a ticking stripe fabric, and floral accents complement the pewter, too.

Set the table with it.

"I went traditional, with a twist," says One Kings Lane cofounder Susan Feldman of this winter tablescape. A mix of many textures, quirky objects, and glistening metallics, like gold votive lamps and pewter plates. Pro tip: Stack plates of different finishes, sizes, and shapes for rich layers and an eclectic table setting.

Let it inspire upholstery.

Put it on display.

Match it with your view.

Warm it up with wood.

Megan Rice Yager used pewter outdoor sconces indoors to achieve a rustic look in the kitchen. Reclaimed wood plays into the woodsy cabin feel while also warming up the pewter elements, and, together, they feel thoughtful and elegant but also casual.

Paint the ceiling with it.

A statement ceiling is always welcome, especially when a pewter paint color is involved. In this living room designed by Corey Damen Jenkins, two paint colors—PPG Garlic Clove on the walls and moldings, which has enough warmth to contrast on the often snowy landscape, and Benajmin Moore Revere Pewter on the ceiling—as well as curved moldings, keep the eye ming throughout the room.

Wallpaper with it.

Kelly Cook of Orangerie Home swathed the walls in a pewter-toned grasscloth, and then extended it up to the ceiling for a complete cocoon effect—but it’s applied in opposite directions for a subtle contrast. These rich shades make the room feel like a shadow box, and thus, draw the eye to the windows. This emphasizes the oceanfront locale. What could be a better view while cooking?

See more designer examples of this pretty pewter color in the wild:

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