While many retro-styled rooms and European influenced traditional interiors are trending at the moment, we continue to PAY VERY LITTLE ATTENTION. Understated paint colors, quiet luxury and cozy European charm may all fall in and out of favor, but we’re here for it always. Livable and soothing, there’s a timelessness that holds our interest.
Quiet Luxury, Understated Paint Colors & European Charm
Have you noticed all of the color (some vibrant, some moody) and wallpaper everywhere? Let’s face it. Before long, timeless looks will be considered “oh so five minutes ago,” and marketers will steer us in fresh directions! Here’s a mood board that captures a bit of the look I’m promoting today:
Not everyone agrees with the notion that neutrals are soothing, natural, and beautiful. Plenty of my Facebook page audience members want to see anything but neutrals, and I find myself defending them more often now.
They assert quiet color stories are too safe, too boring, and too mainstream. The thing is, I have never relied on color at home to add vitality, personality, or even interest to my lifestyle.
Philosophy & Psychological Implications
We will definitely be getting into philosophical and perhaps psychological depths here, but not necessarily concerning color theory or the meaning of “beige.” Sometimes I wonder if home decorators choose colors they think will please other people rather than themselves.
Sometimes strong color is chosen simply because the homeowner doesn’t want to be perceived as boring or unimaginative. (And it’s easier to pile on colorful trappings than add color to the personality! Hahahaha.)
Understated Colors, European Luxury & Quietude
I recall consulting with a client about a paint color for a kitchen makeover. The kitchen had been painted red, and why?
The client said she didn’t like red at all but had been told red is an appetizing color for kitchens. I can’t imagine living for years with dark walls painted a color I don’t enjoy that quietly entices me to eat more carbs.
The red in that kitchen looked awful with the particular tone of the wood cabinets, and it failed to reflect any light which the space was lacking.
The Vast Array of Neutrals
Even when you decide on sticking to neutrals, there are more choices for white, tan, beige, gray, green, and brown than I can say!
Capturing the soft, quiet, understated neutrals from nature can be anything but dull!
It is actually an honorable quest full of challenging prospects when you decide to practice restraint and balance with a desaturated palette.
Where do you begin if you’re feeling a bit wobbly about curating and striking a balance?
Collecting Neutral Color Inspiration
I recommend browsing inspiring images online and from magazines of rooms that stop you cold in your scrolling.
Begin to notice the temperature of the neutral colors, the amount of texture in the space, the movement of patterns, and what emotions the interior evokes in you.
It’s personal, and I find that more than ever (hello, social media!), folks need reminders that their home should reflect their unique lifestyle rather than what they believe others will admire.
Ever been in the market for a home and toured homes with a real estate broker who doesn’t know you well? You may understand what I’m getting at.
Oh, look at this gloriously spacious formal dining room for amazing dinner parties! (Maybe you have yet to ever host an amazing dinner party because (1) it’s not your style or (2) your idea of a fun gathering is a fish fry at a local pub with besties.
A dreamy idea of a fancy room for a fancy fete or a fantasy about some future self you wish to manifest shouldn’t steer you toward a property that doesn’t suit your actual life now.)
See How Lone Fox Used Neutrals in a Bedroom Makeover
Wow! What a ceiling treatment. This paint color was the star:
Like the wall color? It’s Farrow & Ball DIMITY:
I’m crazy about Dimity, and here it is in a neutral understated luxurious kitchen paired with RAILINGS painted cabinetry:
If you watched the Lone Fox bedroom makeover video above, then you may have noted the think stripe at the ceiling was painted Railings as well!
Creating a Serene Sanctuary at Home
What does all of this psychological talk have to do with living with quiet luxury, understated neutrals, and cozy European charm? A lot of folks aren’t even crazy about living with color but they simply haven’t tried living with the calm serenity and quietness of neutrals.
Colorful decor can be wonderfully uplifting, energizing and emotive, but for some of us, quiet understated tones reward us with atmospheric calm places for decompression and rest.
Psst. Here’s the color designer Caroline Gidiere says is close to her home’s custom exterior color (above). It’s very similar to DIMITY mentioned above:
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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