Sherwin-Williams Dorian Gray (SW 7017) review

What color is Dorian Gray?

Dorian Gray (SW 7017) is a medium warm gray. Sherwin-Williams credits its warmth to brown undertones, and at LRV 38.7 it is clearly deeper than the popular light grays. It is the middle color on the strip that runs from Repose Gray and Mindful Gray down to Black Fox.

Is Dorian Gray warm or cool?

Warm. Its yellow–blue value is +5.3 and its green–red value +0.2, a warm gray with a slight taupe lean rather than a cool or green gray.

Dorian Gray undertones

The brown base can read as taupe in south light and occasionally faintly green on exteriors next to purple-leaning roofs. Indoors with neutral finishes it reads as a balanced warm gray.

Dorian Gray LRV and light

At LRV 38.7 it is a mid-tone color that needs moderate to good light. In dark rooms it can look heavy and dingy.

Simulated from the manufacturer's color values. Always test a sample in your own light.

Best uses for Dorian Gray

Living rooms and dining rooms

It gives a room depth without going dark, especially with white trim and warm wood.

Exteriors

It suits many stone and brick colors and works well as a body color with white or dark trim. Check it against your roof color first.

Cabinets and islands

As a lower-cabinet or island color it pairs well with white uppers, espresso wood and brushed brass.

Bedroom feature walls

Behind a bed it adds warmth and depth while the other walls stay lighter.

Kitchens and bathrooms

On kitchen walls it pairs well with white cabinets and warm wood. In a bathroom it suits a larger room with a window; in a small windowless bath it can feel dim.

When to avoid Dorian Gray

Skip it in small, dark rooms, where it can feel heavy, and with cream cabinets or trim, which make it look cool and dull. With pink-stained red oak it can look green.

Dorian Gray pros and cons

Pros

• A warm mid-tone gray that adds depth without going dark.
• Works with whites from the same strip and darker accents.
• Good on exteriors with many stones and bricks.

Cons

• Needs decent light; dim rooms make it dingy.
• Clashes with cream finishes and pink-stained oak.
• Can lean green against purple-toned roofs.

Best white trim for Dorian Gray

Eider White, one of its coordinating colors, gives a soft gray-white frame. Pure White gives crisper contrast; White Dove is the warmer option.

Dorian Gray color strip

Dorian Gray hex code, RGB and LRV

Sherwin-Williams lists Dorian Gray (SW 7017) as hex #ACA79E and LRV 38.7.

Colors that go with Dorian Gray

Sherwin-Williams pairs it with Eider White, the blue-gray Skyline Steel and the deep Jasper Stone. Lighter grays from its strip make good wall colors in adjoining rooms.

Dorian Gray vs similar grays

Dorian Gray vs Mindful Gray

Mindful Gray (LRV 47.7) is the lighter step on the same strip, 4.5 apart.

Dorian Gray vs Pussywillow

Pussywillow (SW 7643, LRV 42.1) is the closest Sherwin-Williams color, 1.7 apart, a touch lighter.

Dorian Gray vs Functional Gray

Functional Gray (SW 7024, LRV 37.0) is 1.9 apart and slightly redder.

Dorian Gray vs Repose Gray

Repose Gray (LRV 58.2) is much lighter, 9.1 apart; the two work together as walls and accents.

Dorian Gray vs Cape May Cobblestone

Benjamin Moore’s Cape May Cobblestone (1474, LRV 40.1) is the closest cross-brand match, 1.9 apart, with slightly less warmth and a faint green lean.

How to test Dorian Gray

Paint a large board and check it in your darkest and brightest rooms, next to your trim and floor. For an exterior, view it beside your roof and stone in full sun.

Colors similar to Dorian Gray

Pussywillow (SW 7643) is the closest Sherwin-Williams color, 1.7 apart. In Benjamin Moore, Cape May Cobblestone (1474) is the closest at 1.9; Pashmina (4.7) is a lighter option.

ΔE is the CIEDE2000 color difference between the two manufacturer colors: around 1 is barely visible; 2–3 is visible when the chips sit side by side.

Dorian Gray FAQs