If you have been reading my blog lately then you know I’ve been adding color to my mostly neutral home. I still love neutral, and don’t see the color as a permanent change. I think that’s what I like about having a neutral room. They are flexible. I can add color with slipcovers, pillows and throws, then change that color easily without spending much at all. I kept all of my neutral accessories, so I can move them back in the room, whenever I want. I guess the thing I like the most is having options that don’t cost a lot. So today let’s look at 4 rooms and see them in neutral versus color options.
I’m here to encourage you to decorate your home the way that speaks to you. I’m here to offer ideas. To do that, I have to change things up over time. If all I do is offer up photos of my home that never changes, then it might become boring and stale for readers and for me. If you want to keep your home the same, that’s great! I’m not suggesting you need to change your decor every week or month. I’m saying I need to so I can continue to offer fresh content for you. Please do what works for you, your family and your home.
Now, let’s get to these 4 rooms.
The room was neutral for a long time. Interestingly, this room seems to be the most controversial, and when I say controversial, I just mean there’s a lot of disagreement on which look is best. As you can see I used a grain sack on the ottoman. The neutrals have a calming effect.
In this version of the room, it’s more lively with the blue pillows. You can find the post on this room HERE.
t
This room is our breakfast room, and I made these gray linen slipcovers soon after we moved into our home. They offer a neutral feel to the room. The rug is blue and white, but there’s very little color here.
Now I’ve added the blue slipcovers for the chairs. I think this is my favorite project of the four. In person, this blue is gorgeous! You can find this project HERE.
There are so many things to like about a color room and about a neutral room. Neutral versus color doesn’t have to be a one time permanent decision. You can change things over time.
I’ve added several new things to my favorite Amazon items list. affiliate link, click below.
Amazon.com/shop/cedarhillfarmhouse
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
This room is our bedroom. I used a grain sack fabric to reupholster the settee. Here I am showing it first with a cowhide rug, blue and white pillows and a white ottoman. While there is some color in the room, it’s minimal.
Next I added turquoise pillows and a colorful ottoman slipcover. I admit I have a thing for velvet. You can find the post on this project HERE.
Finally, I’m showing my dining room. Do the chairs look familiar? I have 4 arm chairs and 2 side chairs in this style. They are antique chairs from France, that I found at an auction. I know it’s weird that there were 4 armchairs and 2 side chairs. It seems like it’s normally the other way around (4 side chairs and 2 arm chairs). I used the arm chairs in the dining room, and put the side chairs in the breakfast room. The fun thing is that I got to use different slipcovers in the dining room than I used in the breakfast room. Here you can see the room with the gray linen slipcovers like the ones in the breakfast room above.
Below you can see the room with pink linen slipcovers. I love the soft pink in the room. You can find the pink slipcover project HERE.
So which do you prefer? Obviously there isn’t a right and wrong answer. It really speaks to whether you prefer the color or neutrals for your home. As you might have guessed, more changes are coming!
Thanks for your wonderful inspiration! I must say I prefer the neutrals…so lovely!
Good morning. Always enjoy your blog and your beautiful home. Sadly, my reading/commenting time has been limited for some time but I am up very early today and wanted to say hello. I think your style is spot on. Using neutrals has become a mantra for current bloggers and adding spots and pops of colors certainly does freshen the look. Neutral does not translate as white all the time. I find the trend of white rather boring these days. Most important is to live in the home that speaks to you. I also enjoy your family updates. My children have grown and gone. Those transition years are much like decorating your home. You try this and that and eventually it all works out. Best wishes, Happy Spring!
Anita…I do agree maybe it is time for a little color…going through that same thing in my neutral home…But I am still staying true to WHO I am…there are so many beautiful things today that it is hard to keep to that…You have done a sweet job of showing us different things to do…I received fabric from a friend in France while I was there for a mission trip…They do more color than us…BUT I used it and am thrilled at the outcome…Thanks for putting yourself out there….to encourage us…..
Nice job demonstrating how color can change the mood of a room. Thank you
I love the versatility of a neutral home. Your slipcovers are awesome. I keep checking your Amazon list hoping to find some perfect ruffled slipcovers, in various fabric choices of course. I’m happy to start with neutral though! Lol!
Well, I have always loved to have neutral funishings; sofa etc. Then change the look of the room with pillows, throws etc. I am NOT a white walls person at all. When we first moved here I could not wait to get some color on the walls. The trend to all white everything is just not for me. I love my “collected over time” style. I am SO fortunate to have inherited some beautiful things and I treasure them. have a beautiful day, Anita.
Loved the examples!!!!! I too have stayed very neutral in my home with pops of a blue/grey for accents!!!!! I love the idea of being able to change things out someday with just some different pillows and accessories!!!! Thanks again for the great examples!!!!! All is so lovely!!!!! ?Roxann
Anita, your home is lovely! The addition of blue is just beautiful! I do think color will make a huge comeback and I am already seeing that. I have always believed to make your home uniquely yours. I have always preferred color and haven’t veered, it makes me happy! But I totally love your home with its neutral palette!
Such a fun post, Anita. I’m a color gal, but enjoy seeing all home styles and ideas. Your home is VERY different from mine … but that’s why I like your site so much. If we were all the same, what a boring world it would be! Have a wonderful weekend 🙂