Color Therapy: Grey In Every Way

We often mistakenly consider grey to be an unemotional color, detached and neutral, impartial and indecisive: in fact, the contrary is true. A principal color in Nordic design, grey gives off an aura of calm, its presence both solid and grounding. With a poetic narrative and strength of character, the color grey connects on an emotional level, alleviating tension and anxiety. Grey is smoky and translucent, bold and light, emphatic and understated. More than a dismal rainy day or dull concrete block, grey has a formative influence on the use of other colors. Promoting stability and harmony, grey is undoubtedly one of the design world’s foremost color foundations. Dare I say that grey denotes good taste: design aficionados covet its urbane lure, its confident presence and unassuming air.

In furniture, objects and lighting, grey is a truly noble choice.

The Elegant Ant™

Arne Jacobsen’s Ant™ is Danish manufacturer Fritz Hansen‘s Choice 2016. For a limited time, the classic chair is available in an elegant dyed grey oak veneer with powder-coated bronze legs.

Ant™ chair. Photo by Peter Bangsbo © Republic of Fritz Hansen 2016.

Concrete Hideaway

Refugi Lieptgas is a concrete Alpine hideaway in Flims in the Swiss Alps. Built on the site of an antiquated log cabin, architects Nickisch Sano Walder made use of the old cabin’s logs as a mould in which to cast the new concrete cabin’s walls. Notice the woodgrain patterns, notches and nicks in the concrete facade. The cabin’s minimal design is both intimate and snug.

Refugi Lieptgas. Image © Gaudenz Danuser via ArchDaily.

Refugi Lieptgas Ralph Feiner — Refugi Lieptgas. Image © Ralph Feiner via ArchDaily.

Kitchen Inspiration

The Vipp kitchen gives shape to the concept of “form follows function”. The aesthetically pleasing black modules are further augmented by the use of grey in these images.

Vipp kitchen inspiration in Brittany. Image © Vipp.

Industrial Grey

Founded in 2010, Supergrau® is a well-bred design venture that values sustainability over excessive consumption. Its products are created “in the (super)grey sphere of an industrial culture” (grau meaning grey) and imbued with a tactile industrial aesthetic. The grey lacquered doors on the Supergrau® Starbuck Sideboard are bold and beautiful.

Supergrau® Starbuck Sideboard. Image courtesy of Supergrau®.

Northern Lights

Oslo-based Northern Lighting understands the indispensability of light in creating and enhancing mood. Established in 2005 by Norwegian-born Ove Rogne, Northern Lighting’s designs draw inspiration from Norway’s unique topography, natural light, culture and disposition.