Antique Rugs > Interior Design > Going Gray: textile ideas for everyone’s new favorite shade

Going Gray: textile ideas for everyone’s new favorite shade

gray room

Bill Cunningham noticed it in Manhattan earlier this month. In a New York Times stylevideo, he showed how our resident fashionistas have opted for a lighter shade of New Yorkers’ go-to black.

In truth, gray has been tracking for a while on the home design front. A light ash or cinder can make for a soothing backdrop, while something smokier – like a dark gray or platinum – can lend drama and sophistication. Architectural Digest has a helpful little slideshow of ideas here, because unfortunately when you Google “shades of gray” the first results have more to do with a certain bad romance.

Since the beginning of the year, we’ve introduced lots of pretty gray pieces to our collection. Going gray on walls poses some risk. A room needs a lot of natural light to support it. With a rug, you get the benefit of the shade but it doesn’t soak up so much light.

Compositionally, there are myriad possibilities. Here are just a few in our collection that exemplify the versatility of the shade.

Modern Marvels

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These two contemporary rugs are sleek and sophisticated, I can see either lending a bit of ‘tude to a minimal space.

Texture and Romance

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There’s something dreamy about the pile and shading on these two. Don’t you just want to sit down and fold your legs on them?

Contemporary Delights

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A modern Turkish kilim with a cool, checkerboard effect, a patchwork of crème-and-ivory lace floral details, abstract interlocking arches and a lovely jeweled pattern in hemp – each delightful in its own right. What can we say? Gray is gorgeous!