Sherwin-Williams' May color of the month is the ultimate summery hue inspired by the French countryside – here's how to decorate with it

With the summer months just around the corner, it's the perfect time to welcome summery hues into the home, and Sherwin-Williams has the perfect paint color to do just that.

Earlier this month, the paint brand revealed Silver Strand as its Color of the Month for May, and it's proving to be the ultimate neutral shade to mark the start of summer. Inspired by the French countryside, Silver Strand is a light, gray-green paint color that provides a liveable way to nod to the changing seasons through room color ideas.

Read on to find out the best ways to decorate with this popular summery shade, as suggested by the experts.

'We chose this shade as the Color of the Month for May because we wanted to create a palette inspired by the French countryside, that felt breezy and coastal but still a bit muted,' Sue Wadden tells H&G, Director of Color Marketing at Sherwin-Williams. 'It's perfect for these “almost” summer months!'

'Like the French countryside overlooking the sea, Silver Strand SW 7075’s breezy versatility evokes a sense of comfort through green-gray tints that bring an airy ambiance to any space,' continues Sue.

How to decorate with Silver Strand this summer

The beauty of neutral colors such as Silver Strand is that they translate to pretty much all rooms and interior design styles. From modern decorating ideas to farmhouse decor ideas, Silver Strand makes for an incredibly versatile paint choice.

'The calming hue looks perfect anywhere in the home, but my favorite is as a backdrop in a sunlit living room meant for unwinding and connecting,' continues Sue. 'It flourishes as both a primary and an accent color.'

Interior designer Luis Carmona, founder of VERDE Interior Design adds that the calming green tones present in Silver Strand make it a good choice for creating a soothing atmosphere in certain rooms: 'Because of Silver Strand's muted appearance, it can be used in bathrooms or home offices where a zen environment is required to promote rest, focus, and productivity.'

If you want to lean further into the summery aesthetic, Silver Strand is an obvious color choice for coastal decor ideas. Interior designer Kathy Kuo observes that the subtle 'blue and green undertones make it perfect for framing a coastal beach design motif.'

'I would pair this paint color with beach house staples like weathered teak and woven wicker furniture, a slipcovered sofa in a light neutral hue, and plenty of seaside-inspired decor, like wall art featuring ocean scapes and sculptures and light fixtures rendered from materials like capiz shell and reclaimed driftwood,' suggests Kathy.

Alternatively, Luis recommends styling Silver Strand alongside modern minimalist decor to create a restful interior scheme that's suitable all year round, not just the summer months:

'Pair Silver Strand with light-colored furniture and accessories. Surfaces like birch wood, light-colored marble with neutral veining, and brass fixtures will compliment the grayish-green hues of Silver Strand while not overpowering its more subtle demeanor.'

Lastly, choosing the right color pairings is key to making the most of Silver Strand. For light and airy schemes, opt for white paint on the woodwork and trim to complement Silver Strand when used across the walls. Luis recommends Sherwin-Williams' Alabaster, a warm white paint.

Alternatively, if you want to create a slightly more dramatic look with your Silver Strand color scheme, Sue says it works equally well with black paint across accents. Specifically, Sherwin-Williams' Tricorn Black will add a 'touch of modern elegance and depth'.

This versatile shade may be the perfect summer color to elevate neutral schemes with a nod to coastal style. But, if this one's not quite right for you, take a look at interior designers' favorite Sherwin-Williams paint colors. From blue paints to white paints, these colors cater to all styles and rooms.