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Design 2011: Four Ways To Feature Neutrals
How to Make a Strong Statement With Quiet Colors
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment can affect behavior. Before consulting privately, I received my MA in writing and ran a design boutique in Los Angeles.
I am an architectural design writer who often focuses on how environment... More »
The new year has brought that white month of January, and the motivation to clear away festive holiday decor to make room for our most elegant and liveable space yet. We are organizing, dreaming, planning. And, with this being the best time of year to plan upcoming renovations, we perhaps are reconsidering our furniture and palettes as well.
If you're looking to make your dwelling a bit more sophisticated, simplified, or cohesive, consider the power of neutrals. Considered sometimes as a safe — and even bland — these following spaces show just how strong of a statement neutrals can help you make.
Feature neutrals in your home to:
1. Stylishly mix and match furniture
2. Create a casual sophistication
3. Work more blatantly with textures
4. Feature beloved art and collectibles, among other things
Take notes from these great examples of how to feature neutrals:
If you're looking to make your dwelling a bit more sophisticated, simplified, or cohesive, consider the power of neutrals. Considered sometimes as a safe — and even bland — these following spaces show just how strong of a statement neutrals can help you make.
Feature neutrals in your home to:
1. Stylishly mix and match furniture
2. Create a casual sophistication
3. Work more blatantly with textures
4. Feature beloved art and collectibles, among other things
Take notes from these great examples of how to feature neutrals:
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by knowles ps
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| This bedroom becomes an elegant boudoir that exudes a boldness without overpowering. Soft colors for settling in and relaxing are mixed with bold placement of items. |
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These neutrals help mix-matched furniture achieve a wholeness in this space, helped by the traditional and symmetrical placement of furniture.
by Amoroso Design
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Light and very put together, this casual room ups its elegance with its color choices, balancing light upholstery and molding with darker flooring and furniture.
| Similarly, this simple sitting space is elegant and clear of a cluttered feel in such a small space. The color and placement honor the need for an aesthetic quiet. |
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This beautiful reading room offers hints of pseudo-neutrals with the drapes and touches of gold, letting these small details stand out without overpowering.
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Neutrals allow for smaller details to stand out beautifully. Add texture to your simple palette through materials and patterns.
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This reading corner is full of subdued color and layer upon layer of texture. This is simple. This is anything but boring.
See how beautifully this space has been designed to create a consistency between the flowing open rooms while allowing for mixing and matching?
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| The more subtly toned furniture takes a back seat to the artwork, molding, rug, and other cohesive detailing throughout the room. |
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Neutrals set in a space that has great architectural bones allows for an understated luxury such as this reading nook.
by Gast Architects
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For an equally bold and classic effect, think slate gray for wood finish. Remember that neutrals also include black, navy, and brown. Neutrals can be anything from a cottage-white kitchen to a bold library painted in glossy marine blue.
Have fun and good luck!
Have fun and good luck!
Comments
Joanne Fairmont Yinger Nice variety of styles, from formal to not so. I especially like the reading corner.
2 years ago · Like
Becky Harris As a commitmentphobe with design A.D.D., I totally appreciate the value of having a neutral base to play off! My throw pillows, inexpensive rugs, artwork and lamps are in constant rotation!
2 years ago · Like
Debra Campbell Design Becky, I agree SO much. I'm big on neutral furnishings (creams, soft golds, taupes) with colorful accents, artwork, and also preserved florals (Bougainvillea is great for natural arrangement with a punch of color.) And, like you say, it is a moving palette if your accents are adding the pop.
2 years ago · Like
Ideabook published on Jan. 8, 2011.
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