Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and feedback, it's all so helpful. The clear winner is the alternating red and gray (which was my preference as well).
I just love this board, everyone is so kind and helpful, and I get lots of great information and tips! You all are GREAT!
A sidebar on making this quilt for my DD: She told me a while back she would love for me to make her a quilt, but not til she quits smoking. Well, she's 38, has smoked since she was a teenager, and so I don't think that's going to happen any time soon (although I certainly hope she does!). She is my middle child, and the only one of my three children to live in a different state, so I don't get to see her very often, and she misses "home" a lot. She's also had a lot of difficulties in her life, and so I thought this would be a way of showing her my love, by making her a quilt even though she is still smoking. It will be the first quilt I've made for one of my children...the other two will just have to wait their turn!