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
The color gray is underrated