The Designer’s Journal: Inside the Thoughtful World of Gray Oak Studio
ByChelsea Harris
Published On

For Gray Oak Studio founder Leah Hook, great design isn’t just about how a space looks—it’s about how it feels. Grounded in the belief that home should be your favorite place, Leah’s work is driven by comfort, personality, and a deep understanding of the way people live. Her signature style? Magazine-worthy, actually livable, and joyful.
“I want the everyday life of our clients to be made easier, more joyful, and more beautiful by the spaces we create,” she says. “And every room needs a piece of art, a plant, and a book.”
We caught up with Leah to talk about her design ethos, the projects currently on her desk (from a whiskey bar to a woodsy beach house), and her favorite unsung heroes to use in every space.

Describe your design style in three words.
Magazine-worthy, actually livable, and personality driven.
What is your design ethos?
Home should be your favorite place—a true reflection of the people who live there, in style and function. I want the everyday life of our clients to be made easy, comfortable, and joyful by our designs. Also, I believe that every space should have a piece of art, a plant, and a book (and lighting and accent chairs are the superheroes of decorating). Finally, I choose texture over color 90% of the time.

What are you working on right now?
Right now, we are working on a beach house that is technically located in the woods, a Boston brownstone, a whiskey bar/media room, a couple kitchens, a few bathrooms, and so many fun decorating projects.

What’s your favorite Schoolhouse product?
Sconces, I can’t choose which one I love more! I have a pair of Princeton Mid Sconces with a striped glass shade over my kitchen sink, a pair of brass Cylinder Double Sconces in my kids’ bathroom, and the Allegheny Plug-In Sconce in my daughter’s bedroom. They are all so clean, simple, interesting, and unique. The perfect lighting to elevate a room without taking over.
