The Anders Noergaard-designed Milos modular sofa (from €999 for a two-seater) from Bo Concept.

Of all the colours in the spectrum, few are lumbered with – or struggle to shake off – as dreary and debilitating an image as grey.

The shade is commonly seen as a byword for bland – John Major’s infamous grey Y-fronts were routinely lampooned as epitomising his dreary public image – or something that should be covered up or disguised.

Camengo’s new Mood collection includes a pale grey paper with overscale purple floral detail.

And yet, for those prepared to cast off any school-uniform associations and look beyond its poor PR, grey can appear sleek, seductive and even sexy. It’s a fact that has not gone unnoticed by many in the creative field. This season’s catwalks, for instance, showed a veritable wardrobe’s worth of garments in shades ranging from shiny silver and sophisticated slate to dark, masculine charcoal. Going grey in the home, meanwhile, has never been more fashionable and, thanks to a glut of covetable items on the homewares high street in the shade du jour, is an exercise in simplicity.

With its ability to conceal soils and dirt, grey is an obvious choice for a sofa fabric – a practicality that has not been wasted by manufacturers. High on comfort yet easy on the eye, the L-shaped Mezzo sofa and matching footstool (€488) from Living is one of the finest designs on the market and, although far from cheap, has a high quality construction that makes it an investment rather than a ‘starter’ piece. Expect to pay from €3,759 for one with fabric upholstery or, if feeling flush, you can splash out €6,199 for a luxurious leather version.

Other covetable sofas at the upper end of the market include the Dono (from €4,663), one of the highlights in an extensive selection of contemporary sofas by Rolf Benz and available exclusively from Houseworks. Fitted with a characteristic rail, which can be selected in veneered oak, leather or lacquered MDF, this chic, flexible piece can even double up as a spare bed – simply remove the cushions and extend the seat.

Mercifully, deep pockets are not a pre-requisite for anyone looking for seating solutions in fashionable yet functional grey. The Marcel (€1,675) from Diamond Living is a keenly priced sofa bed that works hard to earn its floor space. Alternatively, the Anders Noergaard-designed Milos modular sofa (from €999 for a two-seater) is a similarly covetable piece from Bo Concept. Easier still on the wallet is the aptly named Fatboy (from €199), a supremely comfortable contemporary take on the classic beanbag.

Herringbone and windowpane throws in merino wool (€85 each) from Foxford Woollen Mills.

Other cost-conscious ways of getting into the grey groove without investing in a major piece of furniture include re-upholstering existing pieces in the home. Fabric specialist Chivasso includes a handsome grey material in its Colour Business range. Andrew Martin’s gorgeous Studio fabric (€190 per lineal metre), meanwhile, has an elegant grey shade enlivened with a random back print.

For a more dramatic effect, consider using grey on walls. Most paint specialists include variations of the colour in numerous shades in their respective ranges – Tristan by Dulux, for instance, is a particularly lush velvety shade of grey, while Colortrend’s Paris Grey is similarly seductive.

Wallpaper, too, presents numerous options for those looking to go grey. Camengo’s new Mood collection, for example, includes a beautiful pale grey paper with overscale purple floral detail. Also worth a look is Farrow & Ball’s Grisaille Papers collection which features 24 elegant designs, all printed in a stunning sepia grey colourway.

Alternatively, opt for some grey tiling which, if used judiciously, can provide a sleek and sophisticated visual presence. Porcelanosa’s Twin Cromo Acero tiles, which measure 27.5cm x 65.9cm and are priced from €107.39 per square metre, are far from cheap but will up the style quotient considerably in a modern bathroom

Paul Costello’s eponymous collection for Dunnes Stores includes attractive bed linen with a pretty floral design.

If in doubt about the suitability of embracing grey wholeheartedly in the home, consider experimenting with a selection of accessories – one of the easiest and cheapest ways of introducing any potentially challenging colour.

Marks & Spencer’s latest homewares range features pretty Sparkle Leaf silk cushions (€55) in sleek grey hues and the elegant Ball table lamp (€105),while Paul Costello’s eponymous collection for Dunnes Stores includes attractive bed linen with a pretty floral design (pillowcases from €10).

Other options for dipping a decorative toe into grey waters include Foxford Woollen Mills’ gloriously indulgent and temptingly tactile herringbone and window pane throws in merino wool (€85 each), and the more functional, yet, nonetheless on-trend Ship tea towels (€12 each), which stand out amongst a number of grey items in an extensive range of fabrics and textiles by Linum (www.linumireland.ie).

www.boconcept.ie
Furnishing Distributors for Chivasso and Andrew Martin. Tel: 01 2765811
www.fatboy.ie
Foxford Woollen Mills. Tel: 094-925 6756
www.living.ie
www.porcelanosa.com