You won’t get stuck in neutrals
Don’t be ashamed of beige.
With so many colors available these days, it’s easy to forget that sometimes the best choice is a neutral color.
They can give your home an airy, natural appearance, they let your furnishings stand out, and you can switch out accessories to get a fresh look with minimal effort.
Or start with beige, and then add a well-chosen colorful accent to make a room pop.
And here’s good news for the style-conscious: Neutrals are back in fashion.
Some neutrals always seem to succeed. Benjamin Moore has a lot to offer: Manchester Tan is a soft taupe that can work in any room.
Montgomery White is actually a pale, go-with-everything yellow. Everlasting is a parchment color that works especially well where there are greens and golds in adjacent rooms.
Mayonnaise is creamy and Simply White is a nice, light khaki.
Choosing a neutral wall color can help make furniture a focal point of the room.
COURTESY PHOTO / BOSTON DESIGN CENTER
Many designers swear by Sherwin-Williams’ Macadamia for its ability to bridge the gap between colors, for example, in a hallway.
I recently discovered California Paints Rice Bowl, a whole-grain color that looks exactly like it sounds.
Not all neutrals are beige. Gray looks great in any tone, from silver to charcoal. And it’s full of decorating surprises: It complements almost any color.
Sophisticated gray is the perfect foil to the currently stylish purples and reds, and it makes a fine backdrop for art.
Contemporary spaces can look great in an urban, high-tech gray. Versatile gray can also make a room feel warm and welcoming: Think of being enveloped in a cashmere sweater.
White trim really pops against a gray wall. Some grays to try include Sherwin-Williams’ Repose Gray and Benjamin Moore’s Bennington Gray.
Not all neutrals are pale. Browns give a rich look.
If someone asks me for a “paper bag” color, I suggest Behr’s Classic Taupe or Toasted Wheat. Restoration Hardware’s Latte makes a bedroom cozy.
Benjamin Moore’s Berkshire Beige is a stone color that works well inside and out. I used it in the bathroom of an elegant condominium — the effect was relaxing and tranquil. Dark granite and white towels offer contrast.
Often, white is exactly right.
White trim is classic in a semi-gloss finish. It can be a challenge to choose the right white, since most of them have a hint of color.
If you find it difficult to distinguish between whites, tape several white paint chips to a white sheet of paper. You’ll be amazed to see the undertones that were previously invisible.
Whites are not just plain vanilla. Some of the most popular whites are actually off-whites.
Although every paint company’s formulas differ, Navajo White tends to be warm. Bone is almond-y, Linen White has a yellow ochre cast and China White is grayish.
White Dove is an appealing balance of the two. For a bright, architectural white, use Super White.
If you’re committed to creating an all-white room, make it interesting by decorating it with one white on the walls and a different white on the trim.
Furniture, carpets and window treatments can be any shade from sand to snow. The result will be dynamic, lively and never boring.
Cindy Bailen is a color consultant. You can find her at www.OrangesandLemonsColors.com.
