Friday, May 13, 2011

design obsession: neutrals

this is a hefty edition of "design obsession" - mostly because it's a design topic near and dear to my heart.
neutrals.
i. love. neutrals.

in my early post-collegiate living environments, i was all about the pop of color.

turquoise.

then orange.

then lime green.

always against those "latte" walls that were becoming the new white for apartment living.
then i discovered gray. such a welcome shift. so cool. so...sophisticated.

so now, my entire home is neutral for two reasons:
1. i LOVE mixing cool and warm neutrals. my house now is a plethora of black, charcoal and dove gray...mixed with chocolate, latte, white. i think it creates an almost metallic effect---it's neutral, but interesting. i just think it's so stinking chic.
2. the REASON i love a neutral environment is this: my life is chaotic. i know this is true for most in the u.s. life is just so, so busy and something about having this calm, neutral environment feels like such an escape for me. if i am ever blessed to have a vacation home (say mid-century modern spread in palm springs, or a cottage in vermont), you can be sure it will be colorful and sunny and bright. but for everyday, there is something balanced and lovely about a neutral environment, where i can really rest.

so, i give you LOTS of photos celebrating my design obsession with neutrals.
...happy sophisticating...


i think neutral design and reclaimed wood are soul mates.
photo courtesy of design sponge



love these muted, neutral colors for a truly chic nursery.
photo courtesy of design sponge



love the sparkly mirror with the more organic furniture and pillows. love the high/low contrast. so smart!
photo courtesy of design sponge



i would feel like marie antoinette if i got to sleep in this bed every night.
photo courtesy of house beautiful




photo courtesy of house beautiful


love. love. love.
photo courtesy of house beautiful



don't you want to sit here for hours shucking corn or peeling something?
photo courtesy of house beautiful



photo courtesy of house beautiful


love the fancy bergere chairs covered in a more casual fabric. genius. another example of high/low!
photo courtesy of house beautiful



photo courtesy of house beautiful


heaven. classic wall moldings with distressed hardwood floors. heaven.
photo courtesy of design sponge




photo courtesy of design sponge


i have been obsessed with this home forever. nina gotlieb. WOW.
love the vintage tolix chairs. love the floor to ceiling windows.
photo courtesy of design sponge



so calming!
photo courtesy of design sponge


and i leave you with the last two seasons of restoration hardware designs. neutral nirvana!








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