Image Source: Michael Abrams Limited, Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence
www.michaelabrams.com
I don't know about you, but I love a good neutral palette.
It's a classic for a reason. It looks good in every style home and is easy to achieve on your own.
The key to perfecting your neutral space is understanding that 'neutral' does not have to mean boring. In fact, neutral rooms sometimes require more thought than colorful ones in order to avoid looking stark.
Here are some tips to planning your perfect (neutral) palette:
- Paint the walls a color, not just white. I love the Benjamin Moore "Shaker Beige" used in the room above
- Avoid using the whitest shade of white that you find at the paint store. Go with a creamier tone for a warmer feeling
- Neutral rooms go great with natural flooring. I love a rustic wood floor in a bedroom or natural stone mosiac in a bath.
-Mix in some metallic accents
- You don't have to just paint the walls! Consider incorporating some paneling (or reclaimed wood planks!) or large patterned wallpaper in some areas.
-Don't be afraid of patterns! Notice how the room above uses bold pattern to add interest. Patterns are easy to add in furniture, rugs, and wallpaper. If you want, start out with bold patterned pillows before you make big ticket purchases or spend a day hanging wallpaper.
-Mix different wood colors. Nothing is more boring than a room with only one species and stain of wood on the floor, furniture and accessories.
- Play up the texture. Neutral rooms benefit in amazing ways from varied texture. Incorporate all types of materials from wood, to linen, to silk to keep it interesting and cozy. The image below is a great example.
Image Source: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" See sources for link.
- You can go as light or as dark as you want in your palette! The top image focuses on beiges and creams. The super cute nursery above focuses on shades of white.
-Don't rule out greys! Neutral colors that pull towards the cool side of the spectrum can look great, too!
Here's what I love most about the neutral palette:
It's so easy to buy for! Every store that you love will always carry products that will match your neutral room. So, long after your new cherry red washer and dryer go out of style (more on that later), you'll still be loving and buying for your classic neutral palette. Not only that, but you'll love it longer, too.
Neutral is always in season.
Glam it up for the holidays with some greenery and metallic ornaments. Make it feel more summery with some rope accents and woven rugs...and maybe a nautically inspired pillow or two.
Neutral palettes are so easy to love and even easier to implement at home.
Enjoy!
Sources:
Top Image: Michael Abrams, Limited Interior Design. North Seely Avenue Residence. View this image and the rest of Michael Abrams' portfolio at http://www.michaelabrams.com/north-seeley-avenue-chicago-illinois
Bottom Image: House of Wentworth by Amy Lambert Lee. "Pearson's Room" posted Sept. 6, 2010 at http://houseofwentworth.com/2010/09/06/pearsons-room/
No comments:
Post a Comment