A Modern Neutral Really Unifies Diana’s 800-Square-Foot Brownstone Apartment
Prewar apartments come with lots of perks: high ceilings, original carved wood moulding, and — if you’re lucky — some exposed brick, too. Diana’s home had all of the above, which made the space feel a little mismatched. Finding a cool color to complement all those different red tones of the brick and wood proved a challenge, but she solved it with Natural Gray by Behr® Paint. See how this of-the-moment greige goes from classical to adaptable.
Diana’s Bed-Stuy brownstone dates back to 1903, and its original details stand out in a space that measures just 800 square feet. Her style is classic but unconventional, and she loves to mix modern patterns, like geometrics, with traditional architectural elements. (We’re calling it: Plaster busts are the next old-new thing.) Natural Gray strikes just the right balance between classic and contemporary.
Diana also loves to entertain, and her kitchen, dining, and living areas are all connected. A multi-purpose neutral like Natural Gray goes equally well with wood tones and white paint, so it can easily transition between kitchens and living rooms. And BEHR makes paints that are easy to find, easy to use, and made to last.
The Gray That Goes with Everything
With three different materials — red brick, green tile, and black mantle — the fireplace, while beautiful, was the most difficult element to match. Combining warm beige with cool gray, “greige” is a flexible option that’s easy to live with. It’s a soft backdrop that almost seems to disappear, letting the apartment’s charming details take center stage. (It even matches the cat!)
Diana’s apartment proves how much a small space can benefit from depth, texture, and layered materials, and how the true beauty of gray appears when it’s set against other neutrals. For a new twist on timeless design, try gray with unfinished brick, stone, or wood — it’s raw meets refined.