Elemental PPG1011-2

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Choosing the perfect gray paint color is a little like choosing the right jeans—you think you’ve found the one, but under different lighting, it’s suddenly a whole different story. (Don’t worry, I’ve done the paint equivalent of a dressing room meltdown so you don’t have to.)

Today, we’re diving into Elemental PPG1011-2, a light, cool heather gray with what PPG likes to call a tinsel undertone. (Which is a bit of silvery blue).

If you are a cool-toned lover and like grays that feel sophisticated without being cold, modern without being sterile, and versatile without being boring, this may be your dream color.

The Basics of PPG Elemental

• Brand: PPG
• Color Code: PPG1011-2
• Color Family: Cool Gray
• Undertone: Cool, silvery, tinsel-like
• LRV (Light Reflectance Value): 66

Translation? Elemental is light enough to keep a room feeling open and airy but grounded enough to give you actual color on the walls. It’s not going to vanish like some whisper-soft grays, but it also won’t take over the room.

Undertones of Elemental

Let’s talk undertones, because they make or break a gray.

Elemental leans cool—think heather gray sweater rather than warm gray oatmeal. Its subtle tinsel undertone keeps it crisp, which means it pairs beautifully with other grays and cool colors. You’re not going to see surprise beige popping up here, but depending on your lighting, you may notice:

• North-facing rooms: The color leans its coolest, showing off that silvery edge.
• South-facing rooms: The natural warmth from sunlight balances Elemental, softening it so it feels more neutral.
• East-facing rooms: Expect a bit of brightness in the morning, with a cooler cast later in the day.
• West-facing rooms: Warm golden hour light gives Elemental more depth, making it feel slightly less icy.

Bottom line: Elemental is a safe choice if you want a true cool gray that doesn’t dip into icy blue territory.

What Does an LRV of 66 Mean?

Light Reflectance Value (LRV) measures how light or dark a color appears on a scale of 0 (absolute black) to 100 (pure white).

With an LRV of 66, Elemental sits comfortably in the light-medium range. Here’s what that means for your home:

• Reflects enough light to keep smaller rooms feeling open.
• Has enough pigment to still look like color (not just a faint wash).
• Works on both walls and trim without disappearing.

Trim Colors that Pair with Elemental

Your trim color pairing can make or break a color. It’s like wine and cheese, the perfect match makes a difference. Not that I have trouble pairing wine with anything, but that’s neither here nor there.

For Elemental, I recommend:

• PPG Delicate White (PPG1001-1): A crisp, clean white trim option.
• PPG Aria (PPG1001-2): A soft, slightly warm white for a gentler contrast.
• High-contrast trim: For drama, go bold with a deeper charcoal like PPG Dover Gray (PPG1001-5).

Color Palettes with Elemental

Here are three curated palettes that highlight the versatility of Elemental:

Lighting and Elemental

Lighting transforms this gray like a magic trick:

• Artificial light (warm bulbs): Pulls out the softer, almost taupe-ish side.
• Cool LEDs or daylight bulbs: Keeps Elemental looking crisp and silvery.
• Natural light: Changes hour by hour, but never washes it out completely, thanks to its LRV.

Pro tip: Always sample before you commit (I can’t stress this enough). Your living room and your neighbor’s living room will never look the same with the same color.

PPG Elemental vs Sherwin Williams Olympus White

Feature	Elemental (PPG1011-2)	Olympus White (SW 6253)
LRV (Light Reflectance Value)	66	68
Base Tone	Cool heather gray + subtle tinsel undertone	Cool gray with noticeable blue undertones, sometimes reading icy-blue
Lighting Behavior	Crisp and silvery in north light; softens under warm light–versatile across exposures	North light enhances blue; south light neutralizes; east shifts from neutral to cool; west turns cooler early, neutral later
General Vibe	Modern, grounded, quietly sophisticated	Airy, fresh, ethereal—light yet with presence
Brand & Availability	PPG — found at Home Depot and other paint retailers	Sherwin-Williams — famously excellent coverage but pricier

Q: Which gray is lighter, Elemental or Olympus White?
A: Olympus White usually reflects more light, with an LRV around 68 compared to Elemental’s 66

Q: Are both cool grays?
A: Yes—but Olympus White leans cooler and more blue; Elemental is cool with a subtle silvery heather vibe.

Q: Which one is a chameleon in changing light?
A: Olympus White loves to shift—from neutral to icy blue depending on exposure. Elemental is more restrained, though still responsive.

Q: Which brand costs more?
A: Sherwin-Williams typically carries a premium price tag and delivers stronger coverage and durability. PPG is more budget-friendly but still solid.

👉 Order a Samplize peel-and-stick sample of Olympus White.

FAQs about PPG Elemental

Is PPG Elemental a warm or cool gray?
Cool. Its tinsel undertone keeps it on the cooler side of the spectrum.

Can Elemental work in a basement?
Yes! Thanks to its LRV of 66, it won’t feel too heavy in low-light areas. Pair with warm lighting to balance its coolness.

What trim looks best with Elemental?
Crisp whites like Delicate White are a safe bet, but you can also add drama with darker grays.

Would Elemental work on kitchen cabinets?
Absolutely. If you’re going for a modern, airy look, Elemental on cabinetry with white quartz counters is chef’s kiss.

Final Thoughts

PPG’s Elemental PPG1011-2 is a lovely gray that feels both light and grounded, cool but not cold, versatile but never boring.

Its LRV of 66, subtle silvery undertone, and adaptability in different lighting make it an excellent choice for walls, trim, or even cabinetry.

If you’ve been searching for that elusive gray that works in real life (not just on Pinterest), Elemental might just be the one.

If I could give one piece of advice, it’s this: don’t skip the sample stage. Paint colors are shape-shifters. What looks cool and crisp in your friend’s dining room could look completely different in your north-facing office. Unfortunately, PPG colors aren’t available at Samplize (yet), so your best bet is a traditional sample pot.