Firstly, who decided that plain walls were such an atrocity that we had to go around painting dining rooms red and kitchens yellow, and bathrooms blue? Who? Tell me now! Why is there such a demand for accent walls and bright curtains?
Secondly, I've always been a girl that has loved black and gray and white-- look at my closet, it's about 70% of what I own. I also love metallic: gold, silver, rose gold, pewter, bronze, copper, pearlescent whites. When it comes down to it, if these are the things that I like, why would I use anything else?
Now regardless of my clothing preference, I am here to defend a neutral palette in home décor.
Neutral is classic. It will never go out of style. I think of items I've purchased in the past, turquoise pillows, multicolored rug, bright artwork and within 6 months I was over it and wanted something new. I did a little experiment when I lived in my apartment- one week I went out and bought all kinds of new accessories for my place, all neutrals and metallic in varying shades and warmth and luster. I never loved my place more and I went 2 years without changing it. So by making the decision to maintain a neutral palette, I hope to love this home just as much.
Neutral is calm. I work around kids. My classroom is full of bright colors that I consider energizing and fun. See...
I don't want that when I get home. I want to walk in the door and immediately feel calm, colors and textures have an amazing way of doing that. Color, creates and reflects feelings.
(These are not my words)- From a color psychology perspective, gray is the color of compromise - being neither black nor white, it is the transition between two non-colors. The closer gray gets to black, the more dramatic and mysterious it becomes. The closer it gets to silver or white, the more illuminating and lively it becomes. Being both motionless and emotionless, gray is solid and stable, creating a sense of calm and composure, relief from a chaotic world. The color gray is subdued, quiet and reserved. It does not stimulate, energize, rejuvenate or excite.
Now, that last part was a bit harsh but I guess it's true and I suppose it depends on your personality. Yellow is supposed to be a color of excitement, right? Well, I find yellow slightly repulsive. (Yes, I know that the background of this blog is now a yellow paint roller. Shut up.) Quiet and reserved, is how it's described--that is exactly what I want to be in my home.
Neutral is inviting. I find a lot of bold colors to be garish. I don't necessarily want to spend time in a space that doesn't make me feel invited. Do you think about cozying up with a book in a bright orange, pink, purple, emerald green room? Neutrals are just that, they are not offensive. They have an element of warmth and calm that other colors and non-colors cannot match. Neutrals are cozy, calm, warm, and clean. They provide a richness and air of sophistication without having to try too hard.
Neutral is bold. Think about it. I can buy things in all sorts of crazy patterns, textures and sheens that will all go together because there are no clashing colors. Tweeds, knits, furs, velvet, linen, chenille, geometric, floral, abstract, animal print- everything is fair game. Far from boring.
Neutral allows the important things to stand out. I was given a great gift and responsibility in restoring this house. My grandparents had so many amazing things--just wait until I get my on displaying some of the family photos that have been recovered in this cleaning out process. I am proud of most of the things I have and I would rather those be seen than a couch or a wall. Pictures, dishes, furniture- those are what tell a story about a house. I want my family to be able to come in and openly see the things that have been hiding for years. More importantly, the atmosphere needs to be one in which the people that come by are the ones who stand out, not the stuff around them.
Just in case you still doubt, ask yourself this would you have a problem coming home to this bedroom? Didn't think so. Case closed.
