Are you tired of trendy grays that quickly feel dated?
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018) stands apart with its timeless appeal and remarkable versatility.
This mid-tone gray with subtle warm undertones creates spaces that feel both worldly and inviting, never cold or clinical.
With an LRV of 26, Dovetail adds character while remaining versatile for settings like accent walls and kitchen cabinets.
What makes this neutral special is how it shifts throughout the day, revealing different dimensions as light changes.
Learn why designers favor this enduring neutral in both traditional and contemporary spaces for making a subtle statement.
Understanding Paint Color Basics
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018) is a refined mid-to-dark gray paint color that creates dramatic yet balanced spaces.
Color Terminology
Let’s examine the technical specifications of Sherwin-Williams Dovetail to understand what makes this color so special.
| PROPERTY | VALUE |
|---|---|
| LRV | 26 |
| RGB | 144 / 138 / 131 |
| Hex Value | #908A83 |
With an LRV of 26, Dovetail absorbs more light than it reflects, creating depth and contrast in spaces.
Its RGB and Hex values help designers match this versatile gray for digital projects or custom items.
Undertones:
- Dovetail is a warm gray with very subtle purple undertones that can be difficult to detect at first glance.
- It features a gray base with brown as the top tone, giving it a warm, refined appearance.
- Some color analysts identify a red shade undertone in Dovetail when examining its pure color structure.
- In certain lights, you may notice faint blue undertones that add softness to this gray.
Psychology of Dark Gray Colors
Dark gray shades like Dovetail influence our perception of space through their rich depth and emotional reverberance.
- Medium-dark grays like Dovetail create refined spaces with depth and character.
- Purple/brown undertones: Add warmth, preventing coldness or starkness
- Balanced neutral: Provides contrast with lighter colors while maintaining versatility
- Versatile pairing: Works effortlessly with various colors for cohesive schemes
Dovetail adds timeless worldliness and character to any space while remaining a versatile premium neutral paint color.
Why Choose the Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018)?
Dovetail’s mid-tone gray balances warmth and neutrality, enhancing spaces while suiting traditional and contemporary designs.
1. Versatility
Dovetail is used in various applications, from full rooms to accent walls, cabinets, islands, and exterior surfaces.
Morning light reveals cooler gray tones, while afternoon sun enhances warm undertones, creating a lively, stable presence all day.
This adaptable color works beautifully in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and home offices.
Its graceful yet slightly masculine feel makes it equally appropriate for formal dining rooms and casual family spaces.
2. Key Features
With an LRV of 26, Dovetail provides the perfect middle ground between light and dark, creating depth without overwhelming spaces.
Its subtle blue undertones add complexity and make it pop beautifully against white trim. It also maintains unanimity with wood tones and various decor styles.
Dovetail creates a timeless backdrop, making it a smart investment that won’t need frequent repainting as design preferences change.
3. Durability
When applied with Sherwin-Williams’ quality paint formulations, Dovetail creates walls that withstand daily wear and tear.
Its medium depth is practical for high-traffic areas and busy households with children and pets.
The balanced tone better hides minor imperfections and everyday marks than lighter colors, ensuring a polished appearance with minimal maintenance.
4. Texture & Atmosphere
Dovetail, a warm gray, offers a softer appearance than cool gray or charcoal, creating an inviting and refined atmosphere without being stark or clinical.
This thoughtful neutral enhances details while letting statement furniture and artwork shine.
It unifies spaces throughout the home, creating visual flow while providing enough character to stand on its own.
Room Color Recommendations: Sherwin-Williams Dovetail
Dovetail is a versatile medium-gray with warm undertones that adds depth and subtly shifts with light, enhancing any room’s character.
1. Living Room
- Dovetail (SW 7018) creates a grounded, refined backdrop in living rooms that allows details and furnishings to take center stage.
- This warm gray works beautifully in living rooms, maintaining its rich character while complementing warmer colors like browns, yellows, oranges, reds, and even blues.
- For connected spaces, pair Dovetail as an accent wall with lighter neutrals like Repose Gray (SW 7015) or Agreeable Gray (SW 7029) to create subtle transitions between areas.
2. Bedroom
- In large bedrooms that tend to feel cold or cavernous, Dovetail creates a cozier, more intimate atmosphere that enhances rest.
- This rich gray provides an excellent backdrop for bedding in various textures and colors, from crisp whites to jewel tones or natural linens.
- For a balanced bedroom, consider using Dovetail as a focal wall behind the bed and pairing it with softer neutrals like Alabaster or Aesthetic White to maintain an inviting atmosphere.
3. Kitchen and Functional Spaces
- Dovetail cabinets exude magnified refinement, appearing slightly grayer in north-facing kitchens and more brown-gray in south-facing spaces.
- For kitchen cabinets, semi-gloss or high-gloss finishes provide the most durable surface while highlighting Dovetail’s rich depth and creating a refined glow.
- The subtle warmth of Dovetail makes it an excellent choice for kitchen islands. When paired with lighter perimeter cabinets, it creates a striking focal point.
4. Bathroom Retreats
- In bathrooms, Dovetail serves as a strong accent color for vanities, creating a focal point that enhances the room’s design.
- For bathroom applications, eggshell or satin sheens are ideal choices. They provide some moisture resistance while maintaining the color’s beauty.
- In powder rooms, Dovetail adds drama and refinement that raises the space beyond ordinary guest bathrooms.
Color Combinations for Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018)
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail is a refined medium-to-dark gray with an LRV of 26.
It offers rich depth while maintaining versatility.
With subtle undertones that shift between spaces, this chameleon-like neutral creates distinctive combinations that enhance various design styles.
Complementary Trim Colors
Choosing the right trim color can dramatically impact how Dovetail reads in a space.
These combinations enhance Dovetail’s unique character:
- Eider White (SW 7014)– A soft, light grayish-white that brightens spaces and offers a crisp, clean edge to the richer tones of Dovetail, adding complexity and charm.
- Shell White (SW 8917) – A warm white with yellow and beige undertones and a high LRV of 83, creating refined contrast with Dovetail without feeling stark or clinical.
- Pure White (SW 7005) – A crisp white that enhances Dovetail’s depth and creates a clean, classic pairing for contemporary spaces.
Each of these trim colors brings out different aspects of Dovetail’s complex character.
For best results, test these combinations in your specific lighting conditions, as Dovetail can read differently depending on exposure and time of day.
Creating Cohesive Color Schemes
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail works beautifully with many other colors to create a pulled-together look throughout your home.
Here are three different color schemes that use Dovetail as the main color.
1. Monochromatic Scheme
- Dovetail (SW 7018) for main walls
- Pure White (SW 7005) for trim
- Extra White (SW 7006) for ceilings
- Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019) for accent pieces or adjoining rooms
2. Warm Color Scheme
- Dovetail (SW 7018) for the main living areas
- Eider White (SW 7014) for hallways
- Shell White (SW 8917) for trim and moldings
- Accessible Beige (SW 7036) for bedrooms
3. Cool Color Scheme
- Dovetail (SW 7018) for main walls
- Secret Cove (SW 9058) for bathrooms
- Sea Salt (SW 6204) for bedrooms
- Repose Gray (SW 7015) for home office
Coordinating with Furniture and Decor
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail creates a refined foundation that pairs beautifully with various furniture styles and decor elements.
Here’s how to coordinate this versatile gray with your home furnishings:
Wood Tones
Dovetail has enough warmth to coordinate with warm elements like gold and wood tones, while remaining neutral to let those colors shine.
Medium to dark woods like walnut and mahogany create rich, refined combinations.
Light oaks and natural woods provide a striking contrast that highlights Dovetail’s depth.
Metallic Accents
For vibrant contrast, consider blue metallic accents like Sherwin-Williams Mount Etna and Debonair to complement Dovetail’s warm undertones.
Brushed nickel and chrome fixtures create contemporary refinement.
Warm brass and gold tones enhance Dovetail’s subtle warmth.
Decorative Elements
In dim rooms, enhance Dovetail with textured decor like throw pillows, rugs, and blankets for a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Natural elements like plants, stone, and ceramics enhance Dovetail’s earthy quality.
Black and white photography or artwork pops dramatically against this gray.
Similar Paint Colors: Perfect Alternatives to Dovetail (SW 7018)
1. Acier (SW 9170)
- Medium-toned neutral with an LRV of 32, making it slightly lighter than Dovetail’s LRV of 26
- Similar in hue to Dovetail, but radiates a lighter essence while maintaining comparable saturation.
- A cooler color compared to Dovetail, offering a more traditional gray appearance
2. Gauntlet Gray (SW 7019)
- Has an LRV of 17, making it notably darker and moodier than Dovetail
- Shares Dovetail’s warm character but with deeper saturation, creating a more dramatic effect
- Features brown undertones with an occasional hint of purple, similar to Dovetail’s undertone profile
3. Dorian Gray (SW 7017)
- With an LRV of 39, Dorian Gray is significantly lighter than Dovetail, making it a more approachable medium gray
- Features greige/warmer undertones that pair well with both darker and brighter colors
- Creates a softer, more casual atmosphere while maintaining warmth
Final Words
Sherwin-Williams Dovetail (SW 7018) stands as a testament to the beauty of refined neutrals.
This medium-dark gray strikes the perfect balance between drama and versatility, offering timeless appeal that exceeds passing trends.
Dovetail enhances kitchens, accent walls, and rooms with depth, character, and remarkable adaptability.
Its warm undertones prevent the clinical feel of traditional grays, instead creating spaces that feel intentionally designed and welcoming.
Dovetail provides a bold yet restrained gray that anchors a design scheme without overwhelming it.
It’s not just a color, it’s a foundation for creating spaces that feel refined and livable.
If you’re interested in more color review content, feel free to click here and explore other blogs you might enjoy.
Alex Guerrero, a graduate with a Fine Arts degree from the Rhode Island School of Design, has been a visionary in the world of color and design for over 15 years. His professional journey began in the heart of the fashion industry in Milan, where he developed an acute sense for color harmonies and trends. Alex joined our team in 2018, offering fresh and innovative perspectives on color utilization in various spaces. Renowned for his ability to blend contemporary trends with timeless elegance. Outside of work, Alex is an accomplished painter and a volunteer art therapist, his artistic talents further enriching his professional insights.
