When Ashley Whatley set out to renovate her dream Tudor home, she had one vision in mind: timeless charm with a modern edge. Ashley, her husband John and their rescue pup Piglet finally moved into their 1980s Tudor in September 2024. And while every room got a refresh, it’s the modern gray living room—affectionately called the “sitting room”—that’s become the soul of the home. 

Before: Builder-Grade Blues 

When they purchased the home, the sitting room had mid-tone teal walls, white trim, popcorn ceilings and faux acacia LVP floors. It didn’t even have a light fixture. “We ripped everything out except the drywall,” she says. While most other rooms in the home had a full design plan, this one stayed a blank slate—except for one certainty: it had to be blue-gray. 

The room has two large windows in the front of the house that bring incredible natural light during the day, perfect for lounging around and reading a book.  

After: A Perfectly Balanced Space with Motor City 

Enter Motor City—a soft, nuanced gray with cool blue undertones that effortlessly blends cozy and modern. Inspired by a library designed by Marianne Brown, Ashley swatched several of our colors but knew immediately that Motor City was “the one.” The transformation? Stunning. “We color-drenched the space—walls, trim and ceiling all in Motor City. It completely changed the feel of the room.”

The sitting room gets great natural light, and the paint plays beautifully with it—feeling soft and warm by day, and cozy and moody by night. “There’s even a hint of green at certain times, which I love,” she says. 

Why It Works

This modern gray living room is a masterclass in balance. Motor City brings a grounded, sophisticated backdrop that lets the room’s layered elements shine—like vintage finds, moody textures and warm brass finishes. The paint also helped elevate the architecture: “It made the ceilings feel taller, and everything more seamless.”

The couple paired the paint with newly scraped ceilings, white oak flooring and fresh crown molding throughout. A raw brass light fixture brings a soft, lived-in glow that perfectly complements the cool tones of the walls.

Design Details That Make the Room

With no budget for new furniture, Ashley got creative—using a mix of existing pieces and Facebook Marketplace finds to create three thoughtful zones: a velvet settee and vintage table for coffee or chess, a work-from-home desk and a cozy chair by the window that Piglet has lovingly claimed. “The zoning gave the space purpose and made it somewhere we actually wanted to spend time.”

What She Loves Most

“The feeling,” she says. “It’s soothing, functional and feels like us. This room is full of warmth, color and intention.”

Why You Should Try Motor City 

If you’ve been hunting for a paint color that brings just the right amount of color without feeling too bold or too safe, Motor City is it. It’s a refined, cozy gray that flexes depending on the light—always calm, always elegant. It’s perfect for anyone craving a modern gray living room with warmth, character, and sophistication.

The best part? Ashley swears by our quality: “Even our painters said the finish in this room was noticeably better than the others—and they were all painted at the same time.” 

Thinking of trying a gray paint but don’t know where to start? Let Motor City be your first swatch. With its timeless tone and versatile finish, it’s the kind of color that makes any room feel like home.