If you’ve ever walked into a room and instantly felt something—comfort, excitement, a sense of belonging—then you have experienced the magic of interior design. This has always been the aim of our designs at Stray Dog - to elicit a feeling when you flip your light switch. Design has always been more than how a space looks; it’s about how it makes you feel and that the philosophy Grey Joyner Interiors that has guided every step of her journey.
Products featured: Willow Chandelier in Chartreuse
Where It All Began
Grey has felt drawn to how spaces feel and designing around that has been a guiding principle in her work.
“The way things look and HOW the way things look affects how we FEEL… Interior design began as the most natural kinetic pull in my life. It was never anything that I looked for, but it found me just the same. This is what I was born to do. I did my own house and friends’ homes and it just got under my skin and I knew this was it for me. I also grew up helping my mom decorate and rearrange things around her house. When I was young, I'd go with her to the design meetings when she was building her new house and LOVED witnessing that entire process.”
Personalized Aesthetic
Grey aims for her designs to fit the personality of the client instead of using her personal design style to guide the project.
“Broadly, my design aesthetic is transitional, but what I’m becoming known for is a use of color in all of my projects and a tendency to lean towards maximalism on the decor spectrum. Truly it is client and project dependent - I always approach each new design project by getting to know the client and what brings them joy.”
Products featured: Penguin Table Lamps (no longer sold)
Inspiration Is Everywhere… Even Down the Street
Just like our Stray Dog creators, Billy and Jane, Grey finds so much inspiration from traveling.
“Lately it’s traveling that is my greatest source of inspiration. And I don’t mean just overseas or to cool cities (although that certainly helps), but even trips to Raleigh or Atlanta bring me so much new inspiration because I’m constantly seeing NEW things.”
Creating Around Real Life
When it comes to the creative process, Grey enjoys the aspect of getting to know the client first.
“What speaks to them, what colors they like, what they don’t like. Spending time with them is a huge part of my process because it gives me insight into their personal style. I want to know what is special to them, and what their family needs to thrive in their home. I also like to help clients step outside the box - embrace who they truly are and what they like versus what the big box stores/magazines tell them is popular.”
Products featured: Tilda Table
The Project That Just Clicked
Grey had the opportunity to work on a project in Beaufort, NC that was included in Southern Home!
“I am extremely proud of it because it was such a large scale project and I was given a lot of trust and free reign by the clients to really be creative and do what I wanted to do. It ended up being an incredible use of space, use of color, it feels more well-lived in, more joyful, there are some really cool and unexpected design elements. Projects always feel very special to me when clients let you lean into your talent and trust me to make it look great.”
Maximalism is BACK
With the resurgence of maximalism and color layering, Grey feels like she is thriving.
“People seem to be leaning into cozier spaces, adding more texture, featuring more art, etc. I’ve always designed this way, so I’m happy to see more people embracing that aesthetic.
I’m a big believer in encouraging clients to lean into what they truly love and are drawn to, so in that regard I’m not opposed to any design trend, per se. Truly the only thing I’m opposed to is just recreating spaces to look like the big box magazine photoshoots - where spaces may look cool but are sparse and uninspired and certainly not personal.”
A Stray Dog Favorite
The home Grey worked on that was featured in the color issue of Southern Home Magazine included a few Stray Dog pieces and she felt they tied in the space so nicely.
“Truly, my favorite Stray Dog piece I’ve ever used was featured in that home: the Willow Chandelier in chartreuse. It immediately adds this wow-factor to the space and adds color without being distracting. One Stray Dog piece I have my eye on is the Maybelle Mirror, I think it is so unique and a great way to incorporate color into a space in an unexpected way. Which color I would choose ultimately depends on the project, but I really like the chartreuse.”
Products featured: Willow Chandelier in Chartreuse
On the Horizon
Grey is busy at working on her next project and looks forward to taking on more in the future.
“I just started work on another huge Beaufort, NC project. This one is even bigger in scale than my last one, because the property really has three buildings on it that will be all a part of the same “home,” plus I get to be involved in the exterior design this time which is cool.
In terms of goals, truly I’m focused on keeping the momentum going - we’ve been growing so much and getting so many cool projects and I’m so fortunate to be on this ride doing what I love. I’d love to become more involved in the design community at large - spending time with other designers and other makers.”
Life Outside of Design
With work being so busy, Grey makes time for herself and her hobbies so she can feel renewed for more creative inspiration.
“I definitely recharge my creative batteries through some of my hobbies. Watching old movies, spending time on the farm/working in the garden and with flowers - getting away from the digital world, traveling, spending time with family.”
