The Moody Paint Shade Design Expert Jeremiah Brent Can't Get Enough Of

Goodbye, beige! At least that's what HGTV star Jeremiah Brent thought when it came to choosing paint colors for his new design studio. Instead of settling for the quintessential popular trend of beige walls and monochromatic decor, Brent is "tired" of this look and instead is aiming for "old, historic, warm, and moody," so he has landed on a dark grey.

The particular grey color he's working with is Stoke, a warmer matte grey with a "distinctive chalky finish" that will pair nicely with the antique, historic feel of the space that he is aiming for. In a recent Instagram post, he plays around with different moodier paint colors such as charcoal, chocolate-brown, and a darker wine red, but lands on this particular shade that he deemed "one of my favorite decisions" of last year.

Is moody grey the new beige, then? We take a deeper look at this particular design aesthetic trend and explore a few expert-approved ways to execute this look in your home.

Steering clear of the minimalist style of white and beige and the occasional pop of greenery from a houseplant, a new kind of decor aesthetic is starting to trend that Brent seems to be fully on board for: moody interior design. Also known as "Western Gothic," this look is actually a design trend predicted by Pinterest this year, with hints of vintage Americana and dark academia. These rooms aren't afraid to have pops of color, all curated to fit the melancholic hues of the room — like forest-green velvet loungers, ornate gold-framed mirrors, and richly-colored vases (like purples and maroons) for greenery. Even Joanna Gaines says moodier colors work well for historic homes, and it's typically her go-to design choice when working with an older property.

While there are a myriad of different ways to attempt this western gothic aesthetic — like giving your space a haunted, maximalist look full of somber colors and a surprising number of bull skulls — Brent's hope for his studio space feels softer and a little more approachable, which is needed for an area designed to entertain potential clients. His inspiration includes warm woods with gold accents, empty ceramic jugs and vases, and soft orange lights. 

According to Emily Peterson, a vintage interior styling artist on TikTok, certain elements to a "moody" home can effortlessly get you this aesthetic. After you choose a gloomier dark paint (shades of grey are a popular choice, but you could also go with forest green, burgundy, or charcoal), look for filling with pieces that will match the aesthetic. For example, velvet furniture and muted pieces of art with murkier gold accents (think faded haunted house, not shiny gold plaza). Rugs are also key for the space; choose designs that blend well with the colors in the room instead of drawing the eye away from the bold paint on your walls. 

Visual art can go beyond what you hang in frames; get creative with statues or ceramic busts. Use pedestals for displaying larger busts, or utilize your favorite ceramic vases for tailored collections of dried flowers and branches. This gives the space a classic academic look, but if you're leaning more towards Western Americana, then maybe a bull's skull head is more your style.

Keep the furniture antique; it gives the space character, and can even be a conversation starter for your guests when they see the space. If you needed an excuse to buy antique furniture for your home, then take this as your sign!