I hope everyone is enjoying the summer weather, whether you are traveling or staying at home or whatever you’re doing during the season. If you like design and architecture, then you are going to like this story. If you are from Murfreesboro, you are going to love it.

I’ll bet you didn’t know there’s a Murfreesboro native who is a world renowned architect—a designer by the name of Gray Davis. He is one half of the Meyer Davis design firm, which is a New York City–based design boutique specializing in residential, hospitality, retail and workplace environments. Meyer Davis now has offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and London with nearly 100 employees.

Today, Meyer Davis is sought after by the world’s leading hotels and restaurateurs, including Four Seasons, The Ritz Carlton, W Hotels and the iconic Harrod’s department store in London.

Gray Davis (left) and Will Meyer

Gray is one half of the design team of Oscar de la Renta’s worldwide boutiques as well as being the mind behind designs for John Varvatos. He is also renowned for work done on homes throughout the country, in the city and in rural areas, from new construction to complete renovations of historical buildings. Meyer Davis has won countless awards and was inducted into the Hospitality Design Platinum Circle in 2018.

I’ve known Gray and his family for 50-plus years. Both of our families attended Central Christian Church back in the day. My memory of Gray involved all of the church kids playing on the playground behind the church. I also remember Gray being taller than me and having cool red/strawberry blonde hair, which I thought was cool.

I recently got the opportunity to catch up with Gray and discuss what is going on in his world and to chat about growing up here in Murfreesboro.

Mr. Murfreesboro: Where did you grow up in Murfreesboro?
Gray Davis: I grew up in Scottland Acres, over by MTSU. Until this day I still stay in contact with all my neighborhood friends.

Gray Davis childhood home in Murfreesboro

Where did you attend school?
I attended Reeves Rogers Elementary. Then I attended Central Middle School and graduated from Oakland High School, and then I did one year at MTSU, followed by graduating from Auburn University.

Is it true that you were the Oakland Patriot mascot one year?
No, I may have dressed up like the Patriot at a pep rally.

Tell us about your family origin.
Well, my connection to Murfreesboro was through my mom, Linda, whose maiden name was Gray. She met my father, Dave, who was originally from Missouri, at Murfreesboro Central High School.

My grandfather was Ellis Gray and Ellis Gray Mill and Grain was a feed mill and cotton gin. It was located where Cannonsburgh is now located. The scales where they would weigh the cotton still stand. It is the little building next to Hooper Supply. Dad’s first job in Murfreesboro was weighing trucks delivering cotton to the gin. I also have a brother, Dave, and our sister Lisa, who is deceased.

Gray (far right) with mother Linda and brother Dave

When did the bug bite you regarding design? I’m guessing building things as a kid?
I would say when I was 10 or so my parents bought me some of those wooden building blocks. Also, all of the neighborhood kids and myself would build tree houses and stuff like that. During college I did an internship for 6 months in Europe with about 25 other students. This really influenced me to want to start designing. So four or five friends bought one-way tickets to New York City and moved there. My first place I lived was two blocks from my first job there (which is not typical).

 Tennessee Frist Farmhouse design

What are some of the projects you have worked on around the world?
We have worked on the Crown Towers One Barangaroo in Sydney, Australia, Mr. C’s residence in Dubai and here in the States the Tennessee Farmhouse [luxury home], penthouses in Miami and several projects in New York City.

Sorelle in Charleston, S.C.

Do you ever get back to Murfreesboro to visit? What surprises you most?
Yes, I get back as much as possible. I stay really busy, but when I do get back, I like driving around and seeing all the growth, which surprises me the most. I still get together with all my childhood neighborhood friends and enjoy that so much! The thing I miss the most about Murfreesboro is the people.

Personal home in Manhattan designed by Meyer Davis 

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Well, as you can see, Gray Davis—born and raised here in Murfreesboro, Tennessee—is making things happen not only here but throughout the world for the enjoyment of others. Thank you, Gray, for the opportunity to talk about your connection to Murfreesboro and to let Pulse readers know about your work.

Learn more about Meyer Davis and view more of Gray’s projects at meyerdavis.com.

Now, everybody go out and do something nice for somebody else.

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