The Neutral Color Pallet

Hi Chris,

My husband and I were struggling with the colors for the house. I think I have the solution. We don't need color! I love neutral colors but thought that it would look boring until I saw this picture on your blog. I showed it to my husband and we both love it. The green (which is still one of my favorite colors) will be represented by the plants (I also like that green table they have for an extra splash of color). The walls look amazing as does the light fixture (although we would need something that gave off more light). The darker woods for the kitchen we suggested would go well with this too. I actually have several sets of dishes; all of which would work with a neutral background.

Is this look doable in our home?

Thanks Chris,

Brenda

Dear Brenda,

A neutral pallet would be perfect in your home. The thing I like most about neutral color pallets is that they are so amazingly timeless. I want to share with you a few things to consider when going neutral.

1. Take a look at the picture you are referring to-(top of the post). The architecture is AMAZING and the walls are stone... When our architecture is more "nice" or "normal"- we need to work a little harder to make the neutral look really be gorgeous.
2. Check out the second picture in my post. Look at the dark doors. Even though we are going neutral- make sure you still have contrast.
3. Also- in this same picture-see the wallpaper in the adjoining room- different rooms and architectural niche areas provide layers and planes in our visual sight. Have variety in these layers- even if it is just different shades of neutral paint. See how it's OK that the walls in the desk area are plain- because there is interest beyond the doors? We need interest somewhere.
4. Also note that neutral rooms may still have generous amounts of pattern- like in the photo above. The rugs, the pillows, the draperies. Sometimes people tend to combine a neutral color pallet with a patternless pallet. Even though the rug in the photo above has color in it- look at the room- it is neutral.
5. Different textures also help a neutral pallet to pop. Texture is important in every room- but with the all neutral color pallet- it is definitely time to PUMP UP the texture! Take the room above for example- if the dining set was all smooth wood instead of the cane and upholstery chairs- and the architecture was more ordinary (like most of ours) this room would not work nearly as well. In fact- take away those two aspects and this room would be downright dull. Can you picture that? This room is another good example of beautiful architecture (not always in our control) and great contrast.
6. I know this room has some purple in it- but ignore that- there are a couple of items here that really help a neutral pallet. First- the screen. The walls are a plain white- but showing as little of them as possible- with highly textured items like this screen- works great. I also love the wallpaper in the architectural niche.
7. Neutral walls are never boring when they are painted wood paneling. Floor to ceiling in this case- with a beautiful wood beam on the ceiling. This is the type of thing you could add everywhere.

What to beware of:

When people take a picture they love- like the photo at the top of the page- and try to duplicate it- they can purchase the same furniture, get the same plants- similar window treatments and area rug- but know this- the architecture and the stone walls are what really make that room amazing. Add the other items to beige drywall and tract home architecture- and you might still feel a little under-amazed when you are done. To give your home the feel- remember: contrast, layers, pattern, and texture.

PS.- I know your husband thinks he doesn't want wallpaper- but a light neutral grasscloth would be the perfect addition for your neutral pallet :).

BTW- I also love the light- it reminds me of one that was in my Sundance catalog that came yesterday- check it out. I LOVE it!

Photos from Veranda