I have, over time, become a huge fan of a neutral color palate for most rooms in our house. It makes sense to me since it’s easier, and much more affordable, to replace pillows and accessories than to have a sofa reupholstered.
When we remodeled our kitchen it started the ball rolling on more neutrality.
Full confession of this design enthusiast…change is a given. I’ve been know to tire of art and accessories over a stretch of time, not to mention the seasonal changes most of us enjoy throughout the year. I just love the new look of a room when a few accessories are traded out, or a switch in a few small pieces of furniture that can make a room feel brand new.
Our master bedroom underwent new paint and some neutral art. The small pillows are monogrammed with cardinal thread…those were leftovers from the previous color way. The bed linens are soon to be replaced. Note: our Jack Russel mix always gets into the picture, in this case it’s the tip of her tail! 🙂
I still love pattern on certain upholstered chairs, and the blue and white guest room still brings me joy each time I see it.
These are a few of my favorite rooms that are predominantly neutral…
This has been a favorite image of mine for some time. I apologize for losing the source.
A room can have so much personality with the right accessories—no prominent color needed. As in this beautiful Atchison Home bathroom.
In my view, Joan and Dan [for the love of a house] are rock stars when it comes to neutral rooms. I believe it is her home that inspired me to try harder to attain the calming effect of a neutral palate.
Joni [Cote de Texas] designed this beauty for a client. I love the selection of neutrals punctuated by the beautiful upholstered chair in the forefront.
This bedspread wouldn’t work with my 2 dogs…but it such a pretty room.
A post on show stopping neutral rooms wouldn’t be complete without sharing a room designed by Loi [Tone on Tone]. His work is always proof that neutrals are remarkable. His home is featured in this month’s Martha Stewart Living, be sure to stop by his blog for a visit and pick up an issue of MSL.
What do you think? Do neutrals work for you? I know that this year, and years past, there’s been a trend toward saturated color for the home. It’s not for me but I’ve seen some very pretty examples. Happy Wednesday!
Garden, Home & Party 
Carol said:
Beautiful examples Karen! Thank you.
Karen B. said:
Thank you, Carol.
Have a happy Wednesday.
Karen
Reviving Charm said:
A beautiful post. And you have a lovely home. I love a neutral room. I tend to tire or things quickly so a neutral background is something that works well for me. And an overall be neutral color scheme is something I am gravitating to more and more these days. It’s soothing and relaxing. Reminds me of my need to de-stress!
Karen B. said:
So true, maybe that’s what draws me towards neutrals. I confess I wasn’t always a huge fan, but the calming effect and the ease when adding color in other parts of the room has made me appreciate the benefit. Thank you for stopping by. Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 6:50 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda H. said:
Always a treat to receive your blog in my inbox! Inspiring and wonderful post. Love the glimpses of you lovely home.
Karen B. said:
Hi Linda,
Thanks so much. It is my hope that I can share more pictures of our home this year. The issue is partly due to my lack of photography skills! The other is that when we’re “dressed and ready for company” I forget to take pictures.
Karen
Leslie @Pretty Petals said:
Karen, I love that first photo and it reminds me of the great room space we’ve tried to create in our home (those vaulted ceilings!) Neutrals are not only versatile they create a clean, crisp, calmness that I really like. I like your comment about the need to freshen and change things up from time to time. My husband is one to keep things until they fall apart (ha). I on the other hand like to keep things updated and current so I keep that in mind when I’m making my purchases;) I hope you are enjoying your week. xxL
Karen B. said:
Leslie, I know exactly what you mean, Mr. B. is always saying, “what’s wrong with that? why does it have to go?” . 🙂 It’s always been fun for me to change things and I get restless when I haven’t moved things around from time to time. Happy Wednesday. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 7:41 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Dawn said:
It’s so lovely to peek into your home, Karen! Your neutral kitchen is just perfect with the pops of green from nature. It calls the garden views into the room, so that you can always them! I love the calm space in your master bedroom and the touches of nature in the paintings. It’s such fun to make small changes with the seasons, and a neutral palette allows a few small changes to shine! Have a happy rest of the week! ♡
Karen B. said:
Dawn, Thank you. I appreciate your kind words. Enjoy the rest of your week. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 11:20 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Linda Coble said:
Karen,
What lovely neutral rooms and the pics of your home are just beautiful. Love how Madison managed to get her little ear into the corner of the picture of your bedroom!
I think that neutral rooms are so comforting and relaxing. I’d have a hard time feeling at east in a room that bombarded me with bright, harsh colors. I suppose that’s why I don’t like some of the current decorating trends. Give me subtlety anytime over brashness!
Thanks for another wonderful post!
Karen B. said:
Thanks, Linda. I knew you and I would agree on this one! xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 11:30 AM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Vicki said:
I can appreciate this. I grew up with neutrals and couldn’t wait to decorate with lots of color when I got the chance. Guess what I gravitate toward now, but neutrals? Mom knows best. 🙂
You have lots of good inspiration for layering shades and patterns to keep it interesting. Need to get a copy of MSL- I always enjoy studying Loi’s beautiful rooms, too.
Hope you’re enjoying the sunshine today!
Karen B. said:
Vicki, I wouldn’t have said I enjoyed neutrals several years back. In fact I have a good friend that started using neutrals in her home and I loved it but was convinced I’d miss color. Maybe it’s my age but I really like the calm and convenience of neutrals for the changes that are inevitable in our home throughout the year.
I have to pick up my issue as well. I love Loi’s style and could study all of his work without growing tired. 🙂 xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 2:34 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Chronica Domus said:
Hello Karen,
You show some beautiful examples of neutral rooms. I find that bedrooms and bathrooms benefit from neutral schemes as they seem quite calming but I enjoy a little color in other rooms.
Karen B. said:
CD, I don’t think I could every be without some color, to be sure. I would miss some of the accents that say spring or summer, not to mention the holidays. But I find I need less of it in the background than I used to. Maybe it’s like D’Arcy suggested, it’s our age that requires calm. xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 5:21 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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D'Arcy H said:
Karen, Is it our age? 🙂 All my life I have surrounded myself with color because I love color … but I, too, feel a more neutral period coming on. Maybe it’s that life has become too hectic. When I get the living spaces painted, it’ll call for some changes in furniture and carpet colors, but these things will have to happen over time. Much of my furniture I’ve had forever because they are family heirlooms, but I’m thinking of what changes I’ll want to make, with an eye to a new house in our future. –D’Arcy
Karen B. said:
D’Arcy, Maybe it is age that creates this desire for the calm of neutral, or it’s the trend that has snagged my attention. I do think life is so much more hectic than it’s ever been. I’m so excited to see your living room in it’s new paint! xo, Karen
On Wed, Jan 20, 2016 at 7:16 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Jeannine said:
I’ve always been a neutral lover – I think I was born old, if that’s what being a neutral lover means! That and blues, of course, but touches of blue here and there work with neutrals just great – I think. I find neutrals more restful, easier to live with, and easy to add pops of color to, if one wishes. I really like the rooms from your home that you show (some of the others are a little fussy for me!). Just love your kitchen – I think I could live in there 🙂
Karen B. said:
Hi Jeannine, I hope I didn’t imply that neutrals for old people, but in my case, I guess it makes some sense. I’m probably older than some of my readers. 🙂 I still like the blue and white accents and even a few colorful pillows to liven things up, especially in the warmer months. Thank you for the sweet compliments about my kitchen and for visiting. Happy Friday. Karen
On Fri, Jan 22, 2016 at 2:14 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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debra @ 5th and state said:
LOVE neutrals but do not live with neutrals….go figure, but have paid the price. after 12 years, my splurge draperies, heavily patterned, are on my “i hate you now list” and also on my “i cannot justify tossing you list”
xx
debra
Karen B. said:
Debra, That’s where I’m at. I went through a heavy duty crush phase on all things Charles Faudree. My red and cream buffalo check sofa is annoying me and fortunately, with 1 large and 1 small dog walking by the front of the sofa and rubbing their nose on the cushion, even Mr. B. says its time to recover. I will probably do a solid, relatively neutral fabric and throw some pretty tapestry type pillows on for subtle color. Isn’t it funny when the “honeymoon” is over with our furniture fabrics? xo, Karen
On Mon, Jan 25, 2016 at 2:15 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Karena said:
Hi Karen,
Neutrals are so calming and serene and I love them in my master bedroom. In other rooms I need pops of color. Maybe that is the artist in me?!
xoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Dreams of Spring!
Karen B. said:
No doubt. I like color but I think my days of upholstering large pieces in pattern are over. 🙂 Karen
On Tue, Jan 26, 2016 at 12:29 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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Gretchen Gibson said:
I’ve always thought that keeping the large (think expensive) pieces in a room in neutral tones is more practical. As you, and many of your readers have noted, you can add color with accessories, art, pillows, etc. That way you can dramatically change the look of a room relatively inexpensively. For those of us who thrive on change this works very well and can keep my husband’s complaints to a minimum 😏
Karen B. said:
Gretchen, As my favorite designer, you’ve always given me great advice. Thank you! xo, Karen
On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 6:24 PM, Garden, Home & Party wrote:
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for the love of a house said:
Oh Karen, that is so sweet of you to say, thank you! Someone on the blog asked me recently if I thought I would tire of the neutral,but I just don’t see that ever happening. I, too, find the colors soothing to the soul and easy to live with. I think one of the misconceptions is that a neutral palette has no color. All my rooms have a lot of colors, layers of colors but I like that they don’t hit you over the head when you walk into a room. Like you I think you can bring the colors in in pillows and accessories. Long live the calming neutral room:):) xxojoan
Karen B. said:
Joan,
I have lots of color as well. I’m new to the neutral color palate and I am excited to have options to introduce color as the season changes and such.
I revisit your home tour for ideas and inspiration whenever I’m unsure of what I need to help with a specific area.
Karen