Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Neutrality

I live a life awash in color. I design with color...my wardrobe is pretty colorful...and my home is, for the most part, a color explosion. And yet, I love to look at beautiful, neutral interiors. I'm not sure I could ever commit to such a monochromatic, soothing palette but it's eye candy to me nonetheless.

Case in point, this home designed by (the amazing) Phoebe Howard. Sophisticated, classic, neutral and stunning:

All images via phoebehoward.net





Your senses can relax in these spaces. Love.

Do you opt for neutrality in your own home?
 

13 comments:

  1. I'm like totally bipolar. I'm crazy for a "color explosion" (ha ha) but also love the calm sophistication of a neutral room. My home falls somewhere in between.

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  2. Neutral palettes make me feel like I'm living in a hotel. I've noticed that most of the remaining shelter mags feature house after house of white walls and white furniture - like the owners are expecting to vacate at any minute. (I love when I read them and the designer talks about the color palette. Hint, hint, there isn't one!)

    I've learned to restrain my color use in a room to a two-or-three color combination. Currently it's aqua, orange and red.

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  3. I LOVE the look of that house, but it would be absolutely impractical for someone with children. A few colorful toys on the floor would upset the look too much, I think.
    John Ruskin said, "The purest and most thoughtful minds are those which love color the most." Not sure that's true, but it's a lovely quotation.

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  4. I like to compromise a bit...I like neutrals like these because they are timeless, calming and sophisticated, but more importantly I like them because then I can change up all of the accessories as often as I want without buying all new furniture! Love the pictures.

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  5. funny, I was just yesterday looking at some lovely, soothing, neutral homes like the ones you share here, thinking that it would be so calming to live there...but I just think I'd get bored. I'm a color girl, all the way.

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  6. Anonymous2/23/2011

    I love how serene this looks - it almost makes me feel calm just looking at it!

    I prefer to keep my walls and furniture somewhat neutral and to add colors with accessories and fabrics.

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  7. Love your take on neutrals, ladies. Elise, I am making that quote my personal mantra.

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  8. Daniela, you know from personal experience my love for color. (loving my blog) I always TRY to go the neutral route with pops of color, (Pink) but can never fully commit. It's a huge problem for me and leaves my living room....a work in progress. I still adore neutral rooms but I don't think I'm physically capable of making the hurdle! ;-)

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  9. I love this look, and I have attempted it several times, but I can't help myself. Color just comes right back in. I think my only solution is a second house... that way I can have one nuetral, and one crazy colorful.

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  10. Elise said it best, but I will add it is totally impractical for almost everyone!It is the rare household, kids or no, that could keep white upholstery white. But beautifully designed and well-thought out rooms.

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  11. My mother-in-law, who is a fabulous interior designer, has a very beautiful, neutral house. It is not empty; on the contrary, it is full of covetable decor. But, it's not colorful. It really makes our visits peaceful and relaxing. When we come home, though, both my husband and I are instantly happy when we walk into our (almost ridiculously) colorful home!

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  12. I love the looks of these rooms, but I always worry that with a pre-teen boy, and a german shepherd who is allowed on the furniture, that I would be asking for trouble.

    As it is, I keep my palette fairly simple, with blue, white & beige.

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  13. Oh, I love color but the serene calming effect of this room seems so nice but I just don't think I can go there. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a few fantastics retreats to try out all your styles!

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