Thanks so much for your support, and love!!! I told you I was closing my shop, and I got so many lovely notes from you. At the end of the day, it’s the relationships that are important, and you are important to me. Thank you so much.
I was going to close it May 12, but I’ve sold almost everything in 2 days right after the announcement! There isn’t enough left for me to keep it open until May 12. So I’m going to close it by April 30. That’s this Sunday! So if you want something, please, please grab it now. We’re busy packing orders this week, and the last orders should ship by May 5. I have signed copies of my book still available. You can always buy my book on Amazon, but it won’t be a signed copy. The sale ends today!!
Now onto neutral rooms done right.
Today let’s talk about what makes a neutral room work.
A neutral room has very little color in it, but everything is not exactly the same hue and shade. So, for example not everything should be a crisp white in a room. If everything were exactly the same color, the room can feel flat and blah. You want variations in the color. So I like to go with oatmeal, tan, gray, crisp white, and a soft creamy white in a room. I may paint some of the furniture, but not all of it. I think it’s good to have some wood tones in the room.
My living room above is neutral, although there’s a bit of blue in the room. I would still consider it neutral, because there is very little color.
One secret is texture. Be sure to have various textures in the room to give it variation and interest. Something with texture might be a rug, or various types of fabric like velvet and linen. You don’t want every fabric in the room to be exactly the same typically.
My bedroom has a wool rug, a cotton throw, furry pillows, and lots of linen. Again there’s bit of color, but not much. Note all of the textures in the room including the bamboo shades.
I would also classify the bedroom above as neutral, although the duvet is a soft pink. When you don’t have a lot of color in a room, you have to add interest in other ways. It is harder to make it look interesting. Of course having a gorgeous piece of furniture helps. Without the color, other things about the room really come to attention. With less color, you begin to notice details you might have missed before, the curve of a leg, the color variations in the artwork frames, the ruffle on a chair.
Note all of the textures and things going on in Yvonne’s room below. It’s beautiful and has very little color. It has shiny surfaces, crystal, greenery, a raised pattern on the bench, burlap on the lamp shade and so much more.
I do love color, a lot! But I keep a neutral room so that I don’t have to change things to keep it in style all the time. Neutral is always in style. Patterned fabrics really come and go. I don’t want to have to change all of my big pieces because the pattern is dated. Having neutrals means everything looks nice for a very long time.
But if you have colors, that’s great too! I’m not against color, and I think there are many gorgeous rooms with lots of color. And I’m adding color to a few rooms to mix things up a bit. Obviously do what you love.
I have always been a COLORful decorator, but I see what you mean about having to change it up all the time. Neutral is classic and I am trying to incorporate more into my living spaces.
Thanks for sharing, always love looking at pictures of your home.
All the wonderful grain sacks used on your furniture are so pleasant.
I am finally getting it on the neutral base for a room. I like some color but have put it in the wrong places and had to redo. Live and learn. ? Your decorating style is a great inspiration for me.
I’ve also realized I’ve been fighting my natural affinity to the French style, trying to go more modern. That’s not really me and I am now embracing what I truly love, not necessarily what’s on trend. (I wish I could turn the clock back and have some of the pieces I sold).
Over the MANY years of style changes, I have found slipcovers, are the answer to (good, don’t want to replace) furniture. They change the look of the room instantly for a great price. I am sure many of your followers have done the same, as I see YOU have
Enjoy
Linda
Yes Linda, slipcovers are great! But they can be pricey.
Thanks for sharing, I really like your classic neutral colors, textures and things. Your home looks stunning.
I love the ottoman…thank you for all your great ideas!!!
Great idea to use texture. I’m going to remember that the next time I buy something.
I love having a neutral room. In the Spring and Summer, I add pastel and floral pillows and throws. When Fall comes, I change them out with golds and oranges, and add jewel tones for winter. It’s an easy way to keep things fresh without destroying my budget!
I’m a neutral person also and do love texture. However, with pets in the house, many of my choices have to first be asked the question, “How will you look with dog/cat hair on you?” 🙂 Thanks for all your suggestions and inspirations.
I am a texture lover myself. Our bedroom has a lot of texture and neutrals and it is so refreshing and peaceful. Our kitchen feels the same even though there isn’t a lot of texture, there are a lot of neutrals. Thank you for the great post.
A neutral palette is great for someone who likes to change accessories with the seasons. You can add a pop of bright color when you need a pick me up or just add greens when you want a peaceful relaxing room. On the other hand, I love my red wall in my kitchen and red walls in the master bath – they look great with marble.
I have a lot of color. But after this pod cast I realized I have neutral sofa and chairs! My living room walls were painted years ago when sponging was the in thing. Mine are very soft blue. We have large floor to ceiling windows so there is a lot of light and the pale pale blue reflects the sky. Most people do not realize they are not a solid no color. Amazing what light does to paint. Now if I could just convince my husband the large coffee table is not his desk!
I love your dining room best of all…:)
I like to look at neutral rooms but I prefer some color. Most of my walls are neutral or light in color. My den is a medium blue-green. It’s a small. moody room, perfect for cozy evenings. As I look around my home, most of my furniture is in medium to dark ranges (upholstered). The wood tones vary from painted to actual wood tones. I can’t say I have a style per se, although country, either French or English seem to dominate.
Your rooms are beautiful. I particularly like your bedroom with the plaque and the sconces over the bed. I am a color girl myself but I definitely appreciate the serenity of a neutral room done right.
Love your insights on creating a neutral room Anita! I have a lot of white going on in my new kitchen, but i’m pairing it with wood tone items and of course greenery and texture like you mentioned. Thanks for all the pretty inspirations!
I’m just took an interest in diy and neutral rooms. Your ideas are very enlightening and I’m in awe of your rooms! I’m in the middle of painting my north facing bedroom with minimal natural light. I love the colors of your walls. Would you mind sharing them? Thank you.
Here you go Gay. https://cedarhillfarmhouse.com/2015/07/what-color-is-that-wall-and-more-questions-answered.html
Thank you so much Anita! I’m new to DIY and the blogging world. I’m overwhelmed with the amount of information and the things we can do on our own! You’re a true inspiration!
I love decorating with neutral colors and bringing in some color with my pillows and accessories. I love your tip about using different textures. Thanks for linking up at Merry Monday this week.
I love everything about your decor. Like a previous poster said, neutral is classic – you can never go wrong with it! 🙂
I’d like to invite you to share this at the Farmhouse Friday link party, which is live right now! 🙂 When you link up, I will share it with a direct link back to your post on all my social media, including on the DIY Farmhouse Style Facebook group, which at this writing has 154k+ members. I hope to see you there! 🙂
Michelle @ The Painted Hinge
http://www.thepaintedhinge.com