Nice And Neutral

Wed Apr 24 2024

Samuel's Blog

Historically speaking, I have regularly used bold colors and patterns in my home. There are so many amazing fabrics and exciting colors combinations out there, it's hard not to let them have center stage. However, I also like a calm, soothing palette almost as much. In fact, my bedroom is an exercise in calming neutrals. Go figure. But the longer I am in this industry (19 years and counting), the number of clients and customers who feel safer with neutrals far outweigh those who have a maximalist leaning. So, to please the masses, I'd like to explore the myriad ways to elevate neutrals when pulling a room together.

When you are designing a space that is neutral in color, it doesn't mean you are using the same exact color for everything. Using subtle tonal variations can be the key to elevating a pale palette. Think about how many "whites" there are in the paint aisle. Some lean warmer, some cooler, some have a distinct green undertone, some are pinker, etc. Using a paint swatch card can help you pair deeper hues of essentially the same color in a way that's complementary. In fact, you can use actual colors if you are averse to white but still want a neutral palette. The key is to use colors on things which are next to each other that have very subtle difference. Think in terms of gradients.

In a home, you will have multiple surfaces and finishes that all play together in one space. For example, in a living room, you will have flooring, furniture, walls, window treatments, pillows, throws, you get the picture. The finish options for your wood pieces are going to be more limited than the options for paint color, so that might be a really good place to start. With your flooring tone chosen, take it to the paint store to choose a wall color that either pulls tones from the wood or complements it and do the same with fabrics for furniture pieces. Identify a range of tones and stay within that range on the remaining items. The mix of hard and soft, wood and fabric is where the dynamics happen in a neutral space.

Another thing to think about is the size of different elements and how they relate to each other in a space. For example, people often ignore a ceiling but that takes up quite a bit of space visually. Same with the floor - that's a large expanse. Granted, a floor is broken up by furniture but it still accounts for a large portion of a room. If you've got vaulted ceilings and they've got super dark beams with dark tongue and groove wood - maybe consider painting or toning down the contrast. Even for the wood purists out there, there are ways to calm down the dark tones of wood without covering up the grain with opaque paint. The natural gradient of tones between pieces or planes is what helps to create the calming neutral vibe. So anything that has too much of a contrast needs to be tamed.

Finally, my favorite way to infuse interest in a neutral palette is through texture. This is where having a plan for soft seating, throw pillows and window treatments can really play in your favor. Texture doesn't always mean everything has to be chunky or have a deep pile. Creating an interesting mix of textures also allows for leather or suede to be in the mix. Ideally, I like to identify one element that I'd like to be leather - let's say a sofa. And then that tells me that my accent chairs need to be done in fabric. It's a design faux pas to have all your pieces matching - especially if we are talking about leather. Let the leather piece be the standout and have the other pieces play a supporting role. To add even more texture without introducing color is by choosing at least 3 different patterns or textures via throw pillows and throws. Make sure to choose patterns that vary in size to keep the visual interest. And don't forget about the rug. A super deep shag rug can really anchor an area and up the cozy factor.

If you're thinking about creating a neutral oasis somewhere in your home, hopefully these tips can be a guide. If there's one piece of advice I could give regardless of which vibe you want to create, it would be to think about the space as a whole. Choosing pieces independent of each other can very quickly lead to frustration and conundrum. So taking the time to think it through up front will serve you well going forward. Come see us in the store to kick off your room transformation! We would love to help.