Neutral can make a statement, too!
As a designer I use the word “pop” a lot. I mean a lot. MANY times a day. And usually, I am talking about color. That POP of color with a pillow, a rug, artwork or accent furniture.
Men usually like less color than women, so sometimes it can be a difficult sell. Considering we live in Augusta and many of my clients rent their homes for the Masters Golf Tournament, sometimes less is more, where POP is concerned. Color can be off-putting to potential renters. Neutral palettes are more appealing in this case.
Just because a room is more neutral, doesn’t mean it cannot be interesting. It can pop in a different way. I actually like to work in neutrals. Let me give some advice on how I work with such spaces.
Firstly, decide the neutral base. Will it be the newer, popular gray tones, or will it be more beige? Or maybe a little mix of both. I use the word “griege” a lot. To me the word means a combination of both gray and beige. This color can be relaxing, calming and very inviting.
Consider gradations of your neutral base. A rug or art will usually offer this easily as the pattern can be a mix of your color palette. Or maybe the artwork can have the deepest shade of your color base to make a bold statement. Your pop could be a bold light fixture.
Bronze and black door hardware, drapery hardware or light fixtures keep things neutral and can aid in creating a focal point, again by being the darkest tone in the room.
Textures, whether subtle or chunky is always important in a neutral themed room.
Consider grass cloth wallpaper. GREAT texture! And grass cloth has come a long way. There are the usual smaller grass papers that offer some texture but even some thick knotted grass wallpapers that offer much more. Maybe this wallpaper can be used on the back walls of a bookcase if installing it on a full wall would be too much.
Fabrics can offer great texture, even if a subtle linen or linen blend. Think organic and natural products!
Check out this fabulous dining room I designed for a client. It couldn’t be more neutral….or inviting!
The black drapery hardware and large bronze chandelier create some pop. The artwork is large and bold with its deep color tones. The natural woven shades offer great texture and the linen drapery panels with jute pattern is subtle but interesting!
The wicker side chairs offer great texture along with their linen blend seat cushions and the leather ties on the back of the host chairs is organic, sexy and offers great detail! Even the aged mirror in the sideboard gives great neutral and organic texture.
