Showing posts with label Gray is the new Brown. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gray is the new Brown. Show all posts

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Is Colour the Best Neutral? Yay or Nay

Brown trend > Gray trend (source)


For months now in most of my consultations in-person or on-line all over the country in US and Canada, my clients have been asking for the same thing.  And it is this: "How can I eradicate beige and caramel/orange tones from my home and replace it with the cooler 'trendy' grays and whites". I addressed this question in more detail in my newsletter last month. Subscribe here if you'd like to read it.


 Gray Trend; Image via Decorpad


Creams and beiges were required with the earthy brown shades that we have been decorating with for the past 15 years (below) but now the colour pendulum is swinging back to the other side to the cooler tones (above).


Brown and Beige Trend; source


Many of us think that brown and black furniture is 'neutral' and 'timeless'. However if you purchased a brown sofa in the last 8 years when that trend was big, now you are probably craving a linen or white sofa because the trend is moving to cool. You bought the 'neutral' colour because you thought you wouldn't get bored of it but now. . .  you're bored. Maybe.


Interior Design by Mark Radcliff via House Beautiful


My sister has had a dark blue sofa for 12 years and now that she is renovating and buying a new one, she still wants the same colour, but in a more classic style. The french roll arm, just like mine (she's so smart).


Better to have bought a sofa in a great colour that you love (above) which then remains timeless to you! This way when the next trendy neutral arrives, you'll still have a colour you love in your living room.


What colour is your Neutral? 


If you would like your home to fill you with happiness every time you walk in, contact me.


Related posts:

Nice  Neutrals from Benjamin Moore
Colour vs. Neutral
How to Wear Colour or Neutrals; Which Group are you in?


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Saturday, November 21, 2009

White-on-Gray-on-White by Kelly Deck

One of my colour theory students, Natalie Ochmanek, recently toured a local Millionaire Lottery House designed by Kelly Deck Design. She generously shared her photographs with the class so I thought I’d post them so you could have the tour as well!

image This is a close-up of the drapery fabric in the living room, I don’t know who makes it but I thought it was a good first photo to show the gray-on-gray palette in this house. It’s also a continuation of my recent ‘What everyone should know about Gray’ post. Do you see the blue and gray green combination?

image I like how the drapes have been installed directly underneath the molding.

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Notice the light, wide plank hardwood flooring. No chocolate brown in this house!

image I thought this little owl--sitting on a book--was adorable. If it was placed there without the book acting as a pedestal (as I described in this post) it would not be nearly as effective! Quick, take that one-off object on your end table and just find a matching book (to the colours in your living room) table transformed!

image Love the white-on-white kitchen with the mosaic backsplash to bring in some texture! image

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The wallpaper at the end looks very cool and festive! The gray theme has been continued here with the cabinet colour. Which undertone is it? And what about the undertone of the tile floor? Who wants to guess?image Here the books have been wrapped with kraft paper to give them a uniformed and neutral theme, it is a show house after all. image

Love the floral fabric on this upholstered chair!

image The Chesterfield sofa! One of my favourite styles (and in one of my favourite colours!), so great in a library or media room!

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Look at these book cut-outs for an inexpensive and creative way to give dimension to the walls!

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Okay, I would love to know if this is some kind of paper, or if an artist wrote it on the wall. And what does it say?

image Great tufted sofa with the black and white artwork! image And every show house needs a nursery!

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And a serious ‘bling bling’ mosaic backsplash. This is one of my favourite ways to use mosaics, go big or go home, I say!

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Love this light fixture (from Target)!

Hope you enjoyed the tour! Have a great weekend!

Related posts:

White floors for Instant Happiness

Unpublished photos of a Designer townhouse in Summerville

The colour of wood vs. wall colour; How important is it really?

Selecting your Kitchen or Bath Backsplash; Accent tile or Not?

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