The Unexpected
Creating market-rate affordable housing on a luxury level was a draw for Rasheeda Gray, founder and lead designer at Gray Space Interior Design. The concept of live/work/play provided a launchpad for her two-bedroom, two-bath unit’s design.
“Because of the pandemic, people emerged with a greater sense of appreciation for their homes than before,” Gray says. “Many permanently work from home now, and I tried to create a place where someone could live, work, and entertain or play.”
Gray’s vision for the apartment’s resident became a young female Millennial who is a work-from-home creative and influencer. Starting with either wallpaper or fabric to express each room, Gray used the accent wall in the living room to drive the entire unit’s color palette.
“I wanted to let each room tell a story and the palette of reds, greens and beige was very bold and playful,” Gray explains. “The living room is large and can handle bold patterns. I really wanted to bring energy and excitement into the room and enhance the abundant natural light in the space.”
The kitchen’s timeless design highlights black cabinets and a jewel-toned-red classic range, tying into the color of the firehouse.
Gray converted one bedroom into a minimalist office where the overall sensation evokes serenity. “It’s a place to be productive,” Gray says. “The palm leaves on the sheer curtain fabric feel like a breeze, and you can imagine you’re transported to Malibu or a Caribbean island. I incorporated white furniture to complete the sense of calm. It’s another vignette the influencer can utilize in her work.”
In the primary bedroom, birds on the window treatment provide a “pop of fun” and their wings recall the angular shapes of the living room’s accent wall. Gray wanted to make it feel like a cocoon, so she painted the moldings and soaring ceilings a deep gray.
“There’s an unexpected element in each space,” Gray says. “There’s the wallpaper in the living room; the kitchen’s bright red range; two-toned green paint lining the hallway; and the birds on the drapery fabric in the bedroom.”
The showhouse appealed to Gray because its goal—to raise awareness and resources for education in the arts across the BIPOC community—is personal to her.
“Interior design is my second profession after 15 years in marketing,” Gray remarks. “Growing up in a working-class community, interior design wasn’t presented as a career option. Bringing diversity into this industry starts in the classroom.”
Schwartzbard agrees. The Kaleidoscope Project works with high schools and colleges to expose youth to and pique their interest in a career in the arts and design industry.
“The real beauty of this project is to show young creatives in multiple disciplines that there’s a place for them in this industry, no matter what their background is or where they come from,” Schwartzbard says. “It’s our responsibility as professionals to provide opportunities and a pathway to higher education for future creatives.”
PHOTOS: Tim Cree, Creep Walk Media, unless otherwise noted
Retrofit Team
INTERIOR DESIGNERS:
EVERICK BROWN DESIGN
- Everick Brown
- Lisa Walker Brown
- Denise Gordon
- Marilyn Lavergne
- Tanya Lewis
- Rasheeda Gray
- Virginia Toledo
DEVELOPER: Scarafoni Associates, (413) 664-4539
Materials Sponsors
APPLIANCES: Fisher & Paykel
CABINETRY: Adornus
COUNTERTOPS: Neolith (Gray Space Interiors unit) and Dekton from Cosentino (Toledo Geller unit)
PAINT: Benjamin Moore
WINDOW TREATMENTS: The Shade Store
LIGHTING: Visual Comfort
VANITY LIGHTING: Elegant Lighting
SINKS: Thompson Traders
TILE: Ann Sacks
FLOORING: Cali
HARDWARE: Emtek