15 Shades of Grey: Who Needs Color When Design Looks This Good?

What is gray? Somewhere in between, it is a neutral color, or rather an absence of color. Although gray is often associated with humdrum, conventional, old-age, indifference, and modesty, it can also convey a certain restrained elegance.

These products may not be as sexy as the book or movie, and they certainly require more commitment than a one-night-stand. When it comes to the hype about shades of gray, here are some of our favorite products that transcend beyond the common perception of the (non) color:

Tião by Espasso

The “Tião” dining chair was designed by Sergio Rodrigues, “father of Brazilian modern design”, during an early period of his career.

Husk Bed by B&B Italia

Soft and geometric, simple and complex, but — above all — cosy and welcoming: this Patricia Urquiola-designed headboard has a strong personality that plays on the visual effects of the stitching.

401 Arm Chair by Artek USA

Designed by Alvar Aalto in 1933 and subsequently redesigned by Hella Jongerius, this armchair is made of birch.

Digital Mural by Flavor Paper

This concrete wallpaper is made by Brooklyn-based Flavor Paper, who take advantage of the scalability, precision, and vast color range of digital printing.

SOFT DREAM – Sectional Sofa by Flexform New York

The SOFT DREAM sofa is the latest sofa designed by Antonio Citterio for Flexform, featuring cushy down-filled cushions.

Harry Bertoia Stool by Knoll

This barstool is part of Harry Bertoia’s iconic 1952 wire collection, an astounding study in space, form and function by one of the master sculptors of the last century.

ALUMINUM STOOLEN by Uhuru Design

One of the brand’s original designs, the Stoolen was originally crafted from wood offcuts accumulated in the shop. UHURU has made the Stoolen available in both cast bronze and aluminum.

Strut Table by Blu Dot

Structure and design are one with Strut. This table takes a proud stance for any gathering: conference for ten, dining for eight, or a power desk for one.

Terra Maestricht by Mosa

The integral, modular, porcelain tile program Terra Maestricht® is fully geared to the requirements that architects set for tiles. The tiles are suitable for walls, floors, and facades, inside and out.

Rise by AllSteel

Rise is a tiered modular stadium seating system designed to comfortably assemble a small or large group without taking over an entire room.

Whole Story Photo Album by Debra Folz Design

This photo album is designed to sculpturally exist within your space and present your photographs as a whole, bringing attention back to the physical sharing of stories.

BASCULE CHAIR by Andrea Joyau

Rocking chair in spalted maple with blackened-steel base designed by environmentally responsible and self-taught designer Andre Joyau.

Waterloo by Dune

Designed by Ali Tayar in 2014, this coffee table is made of fiberglass, wood, and cement with hand-applied metallic powder

Woodrow Bed by Blu Dot

Graceful lines meet gorgeous smoke-finished wood in this panel bed frame.

Modo by Davis Furniture

The Modo bench is designed to be the building blocks for virtually any space imaginable. It can fit just about anywhere, and is available in multiple sizes.