Posts Tagged ‘Neutral’

There are a few small things you can do to update your decor without any heavy lifting or major remodeling. The easiest way to update your look is  to decide a direction you would like to go with your style, and then change the small items in the room that take away from that feel. Then replace with a few new items that bring a new feeling in.

These “small items” or accessories are the elements in your room like lighting, area rugs, pillows, books, frames, vases, etc.

For example… if you are trying to brighten a room and create a more relaxing feel, here are 4 key elements to accomplish that look:

PILLOWS: Change out your old pillows with tassels and fringe and  bring in some natural textures like linen, cotton, or hemp.

Linen pillow with Cording by Ankasa

AREA RUG: Bring in some seagrass or sisal to ground things.

Abaca rug by Merida Meridian

This jute weave feels great on feet and makes an statement of casual elegance. (Beach by Merida Meridian)

LIGHTING: If you don’t have enough light in the room, add some more lamps! If you have the space for it, hang a chandelier! If you have an outdated light fixture or pendant, simply replace it with something fresh and new!

We just used this in a client's home in Crystal Cove... They are so delicate and pretty but still casual and cool.

Antique reproduction lamps have the right coloring and feel to enhance the space.

Are you into the look of sconces but don't want to go through the electrical hassle? Get some candle sconces! (Oly sconces)

ACCESSORIES!!! (vases, books, bottles, found objects, trays, flowers, etc…)

photo from elle decor

Who says gray has to be drab and gloomy? Adding a coat of gray to a room can bring a certain understated elegance to the table.

Grey is one of my favorite neutral colors because it becomes a canvas that will emphasize and empower any color you place next to it. It’s also a great way to create depth in a monochromatic color scheme.  Kelly Wearstler is known for using A LOT of COLOR in her designs, but still, she does not shy away from gray.  The Viceroy is a great example of how well grays can play up the drama!

Using Slate and silvery grays can add a bit of a modern feel, while a putty-gray can give it a traditional charm.

Adding certain decorative elements like window treatments and bedding can transform the tone too!  This white room uses vintage accessories to play up a romantic feel with the mirror, delicate bedding, and distressed headboard.

Some of my favorite grays:

Slate paint collection from Restoration Hardware; Benajamin Moore’s Stonington Gray; Sherwin Williams Spalding Gray; Benjamin Moore Edgecomb Gray.

Nuetral Palette Bedroom

I love the simplicity of this bedroom.