The Eastside Color Guide: Grays for Overcast Skies
Expert curation for Woodinville • Redmond • Kirkland • Bellevue • Sammamish • Issaquah • Mercer Island
Living on the Eastside means navigating soft diffuse light and heavy tree canopies. Selecting an exterior color that maintains its integrity under persistent cloud cover is essential for long-term curb appeal.
The Science of PNW Light
Because Eastside homes sit under a soft, blue-toned diffuse light from rain or forest canopy, colors that lack depth tend to look "washed out" or overly blue. We recommend grays that maintain a strong LRV (Light Reflectance Value) balance and lean into warmer undertones to counteract the cool Washington sky.
1. Dorian Gray (SW 7017)
A rich mid-gray with significant body. It maintains character even in the deep, tree-shaded lots common in Woodinville and Sammamish.
2. Repose Gray (SW 7015)
The perfect greige-gray. It avoids excessive coolness, making it ideal for the modern suburban architecture of Redmond and Bellevue.
3. Dovetail (SW 7018)
Grounded and classic. Dovetail brings a sturdy, high-end feel to traditional homes in Issaquah and Kirkland.
4. Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019)
A steely, warm gray that pairs beautifully with the cedar accents found in Mercer Island lake-view homes.
5. Functional Gray (SW 7024)
A polished choice for modern exteriors. It looks sharp against the glass and metal elements found in contemporary Bellevue estates.
6. Westchester Gray (SW 2849)
Lighter but high-contrast. Excellent for homes with dark trim in wooded Woodinville areas where natural light is limited.
How to Choose Your Exact Hue
- Exposure Matters: Heavily shaded lots require deeper grays (Dorian or Gauntlet) to prevent the home from looking flat.
- Material Harmony: If you have stone or cedar, Dovetail or Functional Gray help unify the various textures.
- Test Large: Always test large sample boards on your siding; the late afternoon light in Kirkland or Medina will shift color significantly.