Gray vs. Beige
It seems to be that for a long time, the interior design world has been divided into two teams, the Grays vs. the Beiges. The Beige enthusiasts were usually the fans of “Classic”- they were those who welcomed crown moldings, walnut flooring and deep, rich velvets. They went for heavy draperies, luxe trimmings, and Victorian dining sets. The Grays on the other hand opted for chrome, white leather and micro-cement flooring (at least if you were an interior designer in South Florida). They would not be caught dead with hand-carved wood hand-me-downs and kept their window draperies fully sheer and automated. It was a binary approach, without any team crossovers. The Beiges would enter a Gray space and feel it to be cold and lifeless, and the Gray’s would enter a Beige and it would transport them back to their Grandmother’s home (not in the good way).
In 2024 however, as we have welcomed the return of checkerboard floors and chocolate browns, the lines have become a little more blurry, and I for one could not be happier. I am finding reclaimed woods, charcoal leathers, and Calacatta Viola marble slabs meshing beautifully in the same living room. Much like with jewelry, the Gold vs. Silvers are now making peace in the form of using Alhambra pendants in both colors. Think New Yorkers moving to Miami, googling: Florida home interior design ideas but still requesting floor to ceiling libraries and hand-tufted rugs.
This perfect marriage has been coined as Greige if you still favor a Beige undertone, or Taupe if you’re a hard-core Gray user (some things will never change). Possibly it is the balance-oriented Libra in me, but I am personally leaning into both. As an interior designer, it was usually a challenge to bring warmth into a Gray living room, or to have a Beige bedroom feel less outdated. I would always try to introduce an element of one unto the other, but there was a clear line drawn in the sand that could not be crossed.
With the encounter of this mix, we also find a larger option of pairings available. We no longer have to limit ourselves to one metal finish, can easily combine fabric textures, and don’t have to choose between wood and marble. I cannot wait to use Brushed Brass fixtures on top of Behr’s Cracked Pepper paint.
It appears that now that we have settled the G/B dilemma, the next battle will be the introduction of color into these neutral-based spaces, and I’m predicting it will be Blue vs. Green all over again. In the spirit of full disclosure, I’m a Green (that is until the perfect in-between shade comes along).
