Interior Obsessions – Relaxed Grey

We have been lucky to have some amazing weather here in Southern California lately. But it has been like summertime in November, with temperatures up into the 90s. Although I certainly don’t want stormy skies, a little cloud cover and cooling off is due. So today’s look at interior decor centers around lovely, relaxed grey. Grey is a special color. It can be warm, with hints of yellow and green, or cool, with a base of blue or purple. It is never harsh, like either black or white, although it is created from both. It can be light, almost white, or such a dark charcoal that you know it’s not black, but just don’t know why.

Grey is a laid-back color. It works with almost every bright, and is stunning and sophisticated when used in a setting with natural materials in a range of tones. It can be a single wall, or an entire room. Paint, stone, concrete or metal, each gives its own flavor to the range of greys available. And unlike some of the brighter colors, mixing greys is fairly simple, and you can even mix cool and warm greys as well. Be sure to include some visual texture to enhance the differentiation of your accessories, like a shiny lacquer with a knitted throw, or a distressed metal with a solid painted wall. Grey is quiet, but a pop of bright color against the muted background can make your whole space come alive.

Poured-in-place concrete

Knit spread and plaster wall

Warm grey with white trim + Bed wall

Kitchen wall + Grey bricks

Dark grey planes

Time for you to weigh in…what do you think? Yea or nay on grey accents?

Amy wrote this post. She is the designer and owner of FormFire Glassworks, where she creates modern lampwork glass beads and jewelry, and by day designs custom homes for a small firm in Southern California. You can follow her twitter @formfireglass.