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The color gray is underrated

Why gray is versatile, sophisticated and budget-friendly

Hi everyone,

Today, we’re releasing our first full-length podcast episode!

We actually recorded this episode last year, and it was our first time in front of the camera. So it was fun to revisit the footage and see how far we’ve both come since then.

Of all the topics we’ll cover in Design Talk, the color gray is a good place to start: most of you already have it in your house, but you probably didn’t know how versatile and budget-friendly it was.

If you want to scroll through the visuals used in this episode, Anna-Lena has put together a Pinterest board, which you can find here.

Enjoy the episode, and let us know what you think!

- David and Anna-Lena


What you’ll learn in this episode:

Gray is more than just a neutral

Gray is versatile and can create a wide range of moods in your home. Its subtlety helps it set the stage for other bold colors and patterns.

Gray, like all colors, has an emotional impact on us

All colors trigger subconscious emotional responses in us. Humans associate gray with balance, elegance, and timelessness.

Why it’s important to balance warm and cool gray tones

Not all grays are created equal! You can dramatically change the feel of a space depending on the different warm and cool gray tones you choose.

Warm grays add coziness, while cool grays bring a sense of calm and sophistication.

It’s crucial to balance these tones to avoid making a room feel cold and uninviting.

Gray is a budget-friendly design choice

If you’re hesitant about using bold colors, gray offers an elegant backdrop to try out exciting pillows, throws, and other accessories.

You can invest in large pieces of gray furniture, like sofas or beds, to provide a flexible foundation for any room, allowing you to experiment with accents and seasonal changes without breaking the bank.

Some practical tips for using gray in your space

Pairing gray with unexpected elements like gold tones or bold colors creates visual interest and sophistication.

If you’re considering painting a room gray, test different shades on your walls to see how they interact with light throughout the day.

Unless you truly love it, we recommend avoiding the “gray-on-gray-on-gray” trend, which has only gone more out of fashion since we recorded this episode last year.

If you want to skip ahead:

00:00 Introduction

00:58 Exploring the versatility of gray

02:11 Gray as a summer color

05:05 Gray in interior design

06:51 Gray as a budget-friendly choice

07:28 Understanding warm and cold tones

08:59 Monochromatic design trends

17:09 The emotional impact of colors

22:17 Final thoughts on gray

Thanks for being a part of Design Talk with David & Anna-Lena! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support our work.

Design Talk with David & Anna-Lena
Design Talk with David & Anna-Lena
A beginner and an expert team up to make interior design approachable and fun! As a designer with her own agency, Anna-Lena plays the role of the expert; David is a beginner who's had his fair share of design struggles over the years. We teach you the building blocks of good design, bringing the concepts down to earth and cover unique topics that other designers don't. Whatever your background, Design Talk will get your creative juices flowing and help you create spaces you want to live in.
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Appears in episode
David @ Design Talk
Anna-Lena @ Design Talk