Sunday, March 29, 2009

Age of Neutrality

I read the other day that we were currently living in the "Age of Neutrality."
One does need to consider the natural light in a space when designing with neutrals. In rooms where natural light is abundant white and linen works best; reflecting the sun that streams in through the windows.

In rooms with less natural light...you need to work with darker neutrals and highlight the lighter players of the space.


Remember, it doesn't have to be all or nothing ... adding a shot or two of color to a room of neutrals will make the whole space smile.




A room of neutrals pays close attention to the textures, the patina of the wood, and the curves on the furniture ... details count most in these spaces, all contribute to an overall atmosphere that's both stylish and calm. Is your castle living in the "Age of Neutrality " today?



27 comments:

  1. Such a wonderful post. I find that I am more and more drawn to all the wonderful neutrals. For years I had so much color, and now I love the quiet calming effects of neutral. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Oh my... I am drooling that last picture FAB FAB FAB!!!
    And those lamps behind the sofa YES YES YES...
    If you like neutral interiors check out this site www.flamant.com

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  3. Excellent tips Vicky! (Thank you as you know I am in dire need of guidance as I contemplate my present upgrades. Talk about overwhelming!)

    I have always been a big fan of 'neultrality'.(I guess I am a bit like Switzerland ... smiles.) Also when you reach my age; you fully appreciate 'serenity'.

    Going to check out flamant.com now. I need all the help I can get.

    Hugs -Brenda-

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  4. wowzers! beautiful. that last one with those gray sofas. and that dining room with the gray walls. i love them all though. thanks!
    xoj

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  5. Brenda, your'e killing me with hints of your home being made over...I want picutures. E-mail me or start a blog of your own! I can't stand it much longer....lol

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  6. Hello Girlfriend...

    I have been trying to play catch-up with your posts...don't know where in the heck I've been or how I missed your last couple of posts! Shame on me...hehe!!! I left you comments on those!

    Well my friend...I just love your blog...love all of the decorating/design advice!!! Love all of the beautiful inspiring photos! Since my home is full of color, I have to admit that I'm not very well versed on design neutrals! The information you included in today's post is so interesting...I've just never thought about it really! I just adore that dark, moody, gray dining room...I find myself really gravitating to the gray's lately...not sure what that is about! Hehe!!! I do love that last photo of the pretty creamy white living room with the pops of color...love those blues and greens with the white! Gorgeous!!! I can certainly see how texture becomes such an important design element in a neutral room! I'm learning, Girlfriend!!! Love your blog!!!

    Hope that you're having a wonderful weekend, Sweetie!
    Love ya,
    Chari

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  7. Yes it is!!! As much as I love colour, I just can't live with it, I have tried...honest!!! Love those rooms!!!

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  8. Hi again...as not about to start a blog since prefer to leave that to all you talented ladies (and gents). Shall compile some collageS and email them to you as heaven forbid, I don't want your 'well-being' on my conscience. I think I'm dealing with enough as it is .... :) OKAY?

    Shall 'subject' the page RMS mrsben.

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  9. hahaha, brenda, you crack me up! But I will hold you to it...

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  10. Forgot to leave my e-mail address, it's vickydar@charter.net I will be waiting...

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  11. I guess I am the odd one...some nuetrality is OK...I do like the dark gray. I love color and warmth and sometimes the neutrals don't "invite." I want people that come to my house know where they can sit and be comfortable doing so....
    Blessings...

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  12. No odd one here Renae, If you stick around here long enough you will come to see that we love it all. A well designed room is inviting in any color or lack of color. I want to start over every other day...

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  13. OH THIS POST IS SO ME, AND PRETTY MUCH WHAT I WAS SAYING IN MY MET MONDAY. I LOVE SOFT NEAUTRALS WITH JUST A HIT OF A SOFT COLOR...HENCE ONE REASON FOR EXCHANGING MY DRUM STOOL. THESE ROOMS ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT, WELL IN MY OPINION ANYWAY. THEY ARE A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF LIVING WITH NEUTRALS. NOT SAYING EVERYONE WANTS TO LIVE IN A SEA OF NEUTRALS BUT I THINK FOR MANY OF US WE HAVE SWAYED THIS WAY BECAUSE IT MAKES US FEEL CALM IN OUR HOMES.
    THANKS FOR SHARING ANOTHER WONDERFUL POST
    HUGS
    JANET

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  14. One would think decorating a neutral scheme is easy, but not so much. Restraint and imagination needs to work hand-in-hand. Success lies in architectural interest, shading, texture and furniture lines to encourage the room's character. I see we agree, my friend. Of your three examples, I love the third dining room picture. Neutral with mooooood!

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  15. Oops, of the five examples...I meant to say!

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  16. Yea, Mrs. Ben is gonna send pics? Awesome!:-) Can't wait to see them!
    I'm afraid the only room in my house that is "neutral" is my screened-in porch. I love color! I purposedly kept my porch neutral so I could do anything out there and swap out cushions over the years if I need, too. :-)
    Susan

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  17. Thanks Laura!
    I love so many things that I cannot make up my mind...so I have decided to make the bedrooms each in a different style...Bohemian, black and white, a bit more formal with my grandma's mahogany furniture, another completely modern, and my office more "girlie" with pinks and apple green. All still works in progress!

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  18. Vicky: I got your email address. You might want to consider removing it...in case...... there is some deranged stalker out there????
    Wait a minute, you'll have mine after I send them. Hope you aren't one, or are you???? JK!

    (You can remove this message too if you so wish) -Brenda-

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  19. Just saw your comment and wanted to say thank you, its ones like yours that keep me blogging when I wonder if its worth while! Many thanks, you made my day!!!

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  20. Oh Vicky, I am at a crossroads. I am currently re-doing my living room and I have swatches home in many different choices. It's getting to be overwhelming, because I have something that I want in mind and I'm not finding it out there. I just want furniture that fits me - so I don't feel like "Edith Ann". I want cottage style in a traditional frame. I want fun vibrant choices that don't get stale after a few years, and I love checks. Am I asking for too much? If I didn't have a dog and a teenage boy with many friends I would love to have a room like 1, 2 or 4. ( I do love those slipper chairs and I am tempted to get one in my living room. )

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  21. twiz, my frist and most dear friend from rms, it makes my day whenever you visit...robyn, send me a e-mail with some pictures and I will see if I can help you. Brenda, I am not afraid of the nuts out there, it is so easy to push delete... thanks to everyone, this has been a fun post.

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  22. Whoo Hoo!! Twizzi was here. Twiz come by and see me. Where the heck have you been?

    I love my neutrals. I am so glad I didn't listen to the RMS trolls about color. They were just a day late. This was a beautiful post.

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  23. I love your picks! I was going to comment on a favorite, but I like them all. I could move right in.....So lovely! Nice post, -susan

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  24. Beautiful rooms, Vicky! I can't say that mine are neutral though....Christine

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  25. hey girl, how'd you get pictures of my house?????

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  26. p.s. my favorite new color is Eiffel Tower by Pittsburgh Paints...have two rooms painted in this fabulous neutral

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