Neutral isn’t exactly a melodic word. I’m afraid for many it elicits feelings of the lukewarm, of the refined, of the boring. However will I scale that steep hill of prejudice and ensure that my new space is happily sophisticated?
White, cream, tan, brown, grey, and black are all essential neutrals. They are not necessarily quiet, as is evidenced by black and white combinations, or dark chocolate and a cool stark white, but they can be. Warm creams, paired with tan or taupie grays, and whites that incorporate trace amounts of the primary colors – Red, Yellow, and Blue, and your secondaries – Green, Orange, and Purple, create the subtlest undertones. I know this, and I know which neutrals sing the prettiest tunes to me, so why am I denying myself the sweet sound of gray? I love it. I am hypnotized by it. This is not poetic license to sell a point. I literally become entranced, and am calmed by gray spaces. For me it is the perfect cool compress to a heated day.
Amir Khamneipur’s Manhattan Apartment . House Beautiful. Heaven to me!
The reason is simple. When I started this quest, I promised myself that every nest would be different. Now I suppose I could have sold a book about ten gray, one bedroom condos, but even writing it sounds a little boring to me. So number four is going to be cream and white in the living area, some variation of sage green or slate blue in the kitchen. The bedrooms are still to be determined.
I would be lying if I said this palette didn’t make my chest tighten a bit. My breathing become a little shallower. Who would have guessed that something so bland could initiate a panic attack? Don’t worry, I won’t pass out. With my new Stephanie Shank Painting as my point of focus, with all its beautiful peaches, and sea foams, sky blues, and purple hues, I can feel the rosiness returning to my cheeks. I’ll get through this, and I know just how I’ll do it.
Benjamin Moore’s: Left . Paisley Pink. Right Top . Tissue Pink . Right Bottom . Wild Aster.
Accent colors will play an important role in this new home. In keeping with the soft whistle of a tune I am creating, the shades will be pastel. Pinks, violets, pale blues, and greens are all getting serious consideration at this stage. To give it a little edgy interest I will throw metals in the mix, perhaps a brass legged coffee table, brass hardware throughout, fabrics of varying textures for those that feel the need to touch everything…like me. Ah ha, it’s feeling more interesting by the moment.
Left . Oly Studio’s Diego Cocktail Table . Right Top . Schumacher’s Najang . Right Bottom . Knoll’s Boucle Classic Fabric in Cream.