Benjamin Moore Just Released the Most Sophisticated Paint Color Of The Year

This year has been something else. If you find yourself Googling "wellness retreats" or clutching your healing crystals or meditation pillow, you're not alone. In fact, the frenetic pace and constant news alerts of our time inspired Ellen O'Neill, director of strategic design intelligence at Benjamin Moore, and her team of color and design experts to land on the brand's highly anticipated color of the year: Metropolitan AF-690, a stylish gray with cool undertones, (a win for neutrals!).

"The world was ready for a pause. It was time to dial down all of the noise," O'Neill tells us. "Since announcing [the fiery red] Caliente AF-290 last year, we were all gravitating toward a softer, more serene environment. We felt the need to detach from 24/7 technology and were looking for spaces that are silent. Museums, monuments, gardens, statuaries, long walks along stone walls-we were gravitating toward spaces and moments that embraced this color palette."

After learning that it was nature that inspired O'Neill and her team's choice for a soothing gray, it's easy to see why the shade is Martha-approved (and the backdrop of her Bedford farmhouse kitchen). All the exteriors of her home and property are painted a beautiful shade of gray, and her kitchen cabinetry also sports the hue.

Plus, as Martha Stewart Living's home editor Lorna Aragon points out, the color works just about anywhere. "It's a classic neutral and can go in so many directions depending on what you pair it with." Think: glamour in the living room, serenity in the bedroom, a zen moment in the bath-you get the idea.

And if you need some help picking complementary colors, Benjamin Moore created 15 shades as part of its Color Trends 2019, a serene palette that ranges from soft pinks to earthy and rich blues and greens.

Chic and calm living spaces-sign us up!