Color: Living With and Without It

I've been thinking and thinking about neutral interiors.

I grew up with color; I still live with cheery bursts of orange and lemon. I don't want to live without bright hues,
but I am craving cream and wheat.

Okay, so what's the problem?

I don't want an anemic room.
My spirits would plunge in a drab environment. 
I also don't want to make $mistakes$.

But I have questions.
Where does the home designer draw the proverbial line between vivid hues and neutrals? Is it even possible to achieve a colorful neutral space, or is that a contradiction?
And how much color can this scheme take before it collapses?

I'm not scared of neutrals. The poor little things are misunderstood.
I'm scared of myself and my "eye." Sometimes I just don't know when to quit. I forget the meaning of "restraint."
I do know that a quiet palette has quite a range,
and it certainly doesn't mean the absence of color.

Traditional Bedroom design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Martha O'Hara Interiors

But it does require subtlety and balance.

 Tropical Living Room design by Other Metro Williams-Sonoma Home

Neutral rooms can be, well, neutral.
All about texture and architectural elements.

Traditional Bedroom design by Dc Metro Architect Mary Douglas Drysdale

Traditional Bedroom design by Atlanta Interior Designer Janie K. Hirsch, ASID

 

Traditional Kids design by Dallas Interior Designer Amy Lambert Lee


Neutrals can be quietly rustic.

Contemporary Entry design by Atlanta Interior Designer Brian Watford ID

A monochromatic room can feel clean and calming.

Eclectic Bedroom design by Dc Metro Interior Designer Lauren Liess Interiors

You can add a vibrant color, dashes of two other colors (same intensity), and surround them with creamy walls
and warm wood tones.

Modern Dining Room design by Boston Architect Marcus Gleysteen Architects

 

 

Neutrals can be fun for all ages.

Traditional Kids design by Chicago Architect SPACE Architects + Planners

A neutral background allows design flexibility--as trends come and go, your room can always be refreshed by changing accessories..

Modern Living Room design by San Francisco Interior Designer Jute Interior Design

 

 

Yes, you can have a terra cotta rug.

Traditional Dining Room design by Charleston Interior Designer Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

 

 

You can have turquoise.

Traditional Entry design by Boston Architect Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc

A quiet palette allows your furniture and architecture to shine.

Traditional Bedroom design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Bruce Kading Interior Design

Traditional Bedroom design by Boston Architect Solomon+Bauer+Giambastiani Architects


Okay, fine. I get that part.
But what's the recipe?
The formula? 75% neutral + 25% color?
No? You mean there's no formula?
I've got to trust my instincts?
How much color until I goof?

Let's look at a spaces with--and without--color.
We'll start with something easy: a
 bright blue chair with red accessories.
Now you see color.  Now you don't.
 

                                               

         Spaces design 

This is another easy one.
A classic but colorless entrance.

Shall we add a dollop of red?
Why not. 

Traditional Entry design by Miami Lighting Fixtures Capitol Lighting

 

 Wow. Big difference, huh?

 

Let's try it again.

 

Add calming blues, touches of gold, grounding bits of black.
[Black provides gravity for any space.]

Traditional Bedroom design by San Francisco Interior Designer Tucker & Marks

 

What about this Swedish style breakfast room?
Pretty bland, isn't it?

 The addition of blue makes all the difference.

Traditional Kitchen design by London Interior Designer Adrienne Chinn

 

 

 

 This one is harder.
My attention goes straight to the butterfly picture.

 

Now, with color, my attention goes to the rug.

Traditional Bathroom design by San Francisco Media And Blogs Shannon Malone

 

 

Here, we have a gray wall;
black and white art provides pattern and movement.

The addition of color really adds movement and depth. 

Modern Living Room design by Cincinnati Media And Blogs VisuaLingual

 

 

 

 Shall we keep going?
Come on, let's try a few more color/no color rooms.

 

 

Eclectic Family Room design by Atlanta Interior Designer Cristi Holcombe

 

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Living Room design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Alexandra Rae

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Bedroom design by Atlanta Architect Castro Design Studio

 

 

 

 

 

Modern Living Room design by Seattle Interior Designer Tewes Design

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contemporary Living Room design by Toronto Interior Designer Jennifer Brouwer (Jennifer Brouwer Design)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eclectic Family Room design

 

 

 

 

Color is beautiful, warm, classic.

 

Traditional Living Room design by Los Angeles Interior Designer Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

 

 

 

 

 

Spaces design

 

 

Traditional Bedroom design by San Diego Interior Designer Decorating Den Interiors - Susan Sutherlin

 

 

 

 

 

Traditional Kids design by Dallas Design-build Period Homes, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

Eclectic Bedroom design by New York Media And Blogs ABRAMS

Do you need color in your life?

Do you crave neutral spaces AND color?

Can't we have both?

 A contribution to Metamorphosis Mondat at BNOTP.

 



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Top photo source: Houzz. Traditional Dining Room design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Bruce Kading Interior Design