An Ode to Grey Décor An Ode to Grey Décor

There’s more to grey wall art than meets the eye

There’s more to grey wall art than meets the eye

Chosen by Christian Dior for the walls of his Parisian studio, grey is the dark horse of the colour wheel. Its beauty lies in the fact that it can be incorporated so seamlessly into a wide spectrum styles in art and design—from exposed concrete in edgy breweries to monochrome photography on the walls of your home.

Both effortlessly chic and quintessentially neutral, grey wall décor is a timeless classic. Use it to create contrasts, complement other colours and give rise to an array of emotions. Ultimately, with grey décor, you’ll let your home tell a story and make it stand out from the crowd. Discover how in our ode to grey wall art.

Spread the self-love: ladies in grey

In her collection of watercolour paintings “Essential Unmentionables”, Victoria Verbaan portrays women’s bodies in different tones of grey. She uses subtle shading to showcase their sensuality and elegance, as well as to reveal their hidden feelings and fragilities. Yet the overriding sensations that the women emanate are strength, optimism and self-love. Fully comfortable in their skin, they encourage us to appreciate our own bodies for the way they are. So spread this self-love throughout your home by hanging Victoria Verbaan’s watercolours on your walls.

Stimulate your senses with grey photography

When photographers choose to forgo colour, they take a step away from real time and space. Black and white filters allow them to focus in on particular geometrical motifs and contrasts, thus imbuing imagery with a new, more dramatic dimension. With this in mind, the photographic technique is just as important as the subject of the image itself. In No limits by Martin Krystynek, for example, the photographer zooms in and increases the shutter speed. Combined with the black and white filter, this works to capture a split-second movement—a jump in the air—with utmost clarity. The result? A dynamic snapshot evoking elation, ambition and more…

In Spiral by Reza Vaezpour, on the other hand, the photographer expands the frame size whilst reducing the shutter speed. This allows us not only to discern the spiral movement of the congregation, but also to feel as though we were part of the image too, caught up in the flow of the crowd. Whether you prefer photography that zooms in on a fleeting moment, or that which embodies a scene’s overall essence, you’ll be sure to find your calling in our collection of monochrome photography.

Just like photographers, many urban architects resolve to strip back to the bare bones, leaving framework and concrete blocks exposed. The result is a construction that’s both minimalist and imposing at the same time. If you admire the style of Le Corbusier and the New York Five, we’d recommend White Walls by Olavo Azevedo, which perfectly illustrates the modernist symbiosis between aesthetic impact and architectural functionality.

Another grey print for you would be Cage by Chris Leontarakis, in which a monochrome filter and graphic manipulation make the metal structure appear infinitely-long and impossibly-shaped. Alternatively, check out more of our impressive architecture prints in black and white. They’ll certainly bring a touch of character into your home.

Looking beyond modernist architecture, we’d also propose the following grey canvas wall art: Old World by Ali Khataw and Sheik Zayed Mosque by H.W. Hawerkamp. In the former, the intricately-patterned tiling and unevenly-textured walls are rendered even more stunning by highlights and lowlights in different shades of grey. In the latter, the photographer emphasises the mosque’s grandeur and decorative detail by means of symmetry and grey accents.

Add an eighth colour to your rainbow

If you’ve already jumped on the bandwagon and painted your walls in pearl or slate, we propose you add a few dashes of colour to your grey décor. Grey goes particularly well with rose pink, mustard yellow and powder blue. As many artists and photographers have demonstrated, pairing grey with other colours can establish a sense of contrast and depth. A prime example of this would be Grey Sky Meets Yellow Fields, in which stormy grey clouds overlook a bright yellow meadow—a juxtaposition that’s striking and evocative. While these yellow flowers bloom in full colour, the Cacti by Froilein Juno are shaded in grey and brought to life by a bold teal background reminiscent of pop art.

Text: Caroline Lacaille

Translation: Lucy Woods