Karen McCartney is the first to admit she's very happy in a tonal palette of neutrals from stone to chocolate, passing by a fair amount of grey on the way. Here she finds interiors where grey is the star, and explains why they work.



Image - Tine K Home

Grey walls don't need to be even in colour and this example with subtle gradations adds to its character. The pairing with shaded greenery in a subtle sage complements the green tonally and adds softness. Wooden furniture, whether in raw timber or painted white, keeps the look natural while maintaining a clean Nordic style.



Image - Les Fifoles

Grey metal boxes with a burnished surface sit in front of a distressed pale blue wall. The hit of pink in the simply displayed flowers is both a burst of colour but also animates the setting and creates a moment of charm and quiet.



Image - Hannah Lemholt for Love Warriors

Here it is the grey of time-worn timber in the stools and floorboards that imparts a calm tonality. The room has soft grey walls which the white ceiling and Noguchi table lamp throw into contrast. The symmetry of the images adds to the sense of control and restfulness with the images on the wall framed by the lamp and the open weave plant container.



Paris apartment designed by Sarah Lavoine

This rather spare and modern space still manages to convey rich design ideas through the use of materials and pattern. The grey wall has the appearance of stainless steel and the artwork echoes the sheen of the supporting wall. The sculpture on the console is a small organic flourish in an otherwise restrained arrangement. The treatment of the floor is a flash of exuberance making you want to see more of this Parisian apartment.



Image via sfgirlbybay

Tonally compatible - the dull grey of the floor and the chalky finish of the muted navy wall create a textural atmospheric space. Into this the stack of cushions adds softness and expands the colour palette to include a pale blue and a rust. The timber bench, and artful branch add to the rusticity, while the metal lamp with industrial overtones sharpens the look up.



Image via Pinterest

Sometimes the most effective decorating trick is to keep to the one shade but add in different elements. Here the look is at once playful and controlled. A series of small paintings in a mix of rectangular and ovoid shapes are perfectly symmetrical and are positioned directly above the delicate upholstered seat. The chandelier fills the the top of the frame with an intricate glass shape that takes on the grey tone of the space yet adds another texture and dimension.