Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Neutral territory...go beige or go home

Good morning! Must say it feels quite nice to be feeling pretty much back to normal minus a few sniffles..but I will take that any day over what I had last week! So, later today I am going to head to the house to look at the progress that's been made, and will be sure to take pictures to share here tomorrow. 
There is no denying the huge trend of neutral and beige interiors that is everywhere.... every  textile line, every fabric showroom, every furniture showroom....no mistaking it. At both shows I recently attended, I saw this trend repeated over and over, reclaimed woods, linen, lots of natural fabrics in soft beige and off white's, lighter wood, and overall a lighter airier less stuffy look to interiors.  I personally lean towards a room with a nice soft balance of neutrals with a soft infusion of color. But there is something quite serene, peaceful and invitingly beautiful about entering a  soft monochromatic room when its properly accessorised and lit.....with just the right balance.
These pictures make me appreciate a beige room when its right and proof that you don't always need color to achieve a beautiful room. Its all about texture, an interesting mix of styles, a creative blending of seating arrangements, how the room plays against the rooms character (if there is woodwork, moldings, fireplaces,etc...in place already). I love the way each of these rooms, while completely different in both their styles and formality, successfully works the beige palette. It changes the way I have looked at boring beige! What do you think? Love to know! Do you have a favorite?


Gorgeous grand scaled living room gets the beige royal treatment and is warmly accented with lots of woods and interesting objects of art by Jack Fhillips

Shannon Bowers takes a simple beige room and makes it work with an eclectic mix of styles and shapes....a very big Swedish antiques influence here
A beautiful monochromatic beige living room by Marjorie Shushan

Stunning master suite is resplendent in various shades of beige and ivory by Windsor Smith

A beautiful garden room by Suzanne Rheinstein is stunning in a tone on tone beige floral with solid accents.....the result is stunning!
Beautiful beige, soft and serene bedroom by Phoebe Howard...one of my favorites
Stunning living room by Phoebe Howard, the space itself is quite spectacular but I love how well the tone on tone monochromatic color scheme works here......
Gorgeous tone on tone master bedroom by Marjorie Shushman
Jennifer Lopez's elegant monochromatic living room by Michelle Workman

Another simply elegant room awash in shades of white and beige by Shannon Bowers with subtle pops of pale blue is charming
Elegant master suite in Wyoming in various shades of beiges' by Mariette Himes Gomez

Beautiful beige toned covered outdoor porch, a perfect example of how textures and interesting materials make this room work by Hallberg and Wiseley

Fabulous breakfast showcases beige at its best.....by Richard Hallberg and Barbara Wiseley
This beautiful transitional living room in ivory is very elegant
Beautiful quaint but elegant monochromatic kitchen/eating area by Shannon Bowers..so pretty!

A stunning french vintage inspired dining room by Nicholas Haslam

Pretty and inviting breakfast room by Katherine Newman...love the beige chinoiserie

Tall ceilinged beige dining room is punctuated with a splash of color from the purple orchids on the table, by Peter Marino
A pretty entry with a Swedish light wood table and chairs looks tres elegant by Shannon Bowers

Attractive tone on tone living room is serene and inviting by Thad Hayes
Scott Snyder successfully uses a soft yellow on the walls to accent the neutral furniture

This pretty more rustic but elegant dining room by Fern Santini goes for a tone on tone look and  gets the contrast from the rich woods...very pretty
The beige and neutral upholstery look wonderful against the dark woods on the floors and ceiling beams Traditional Home
A cozy beige bedroom is softly and simply elegant here by Betty Burgess
This pretty living room featuring an informal seating arrangement by Ginger Barber allows for many different types of seating arrangements, love the over sized linen sofa

The stark bone chairs area a nice contrast against the dark of the wide planked floors Traditional Home

This pretty dining room looks like limed oak and has a neutral ivory fabric to keep the neutrality of the room, getting the only color from the beautiful antique Heriz rug...by Paolo Moschino

Soft breezy light colored bedroom gets the only color from the pale blue washed rug by Jim Howard
This attractive monochromatic room blends a few different styles very effectively House Beauitful

This soft tone on tone master bedroom uses a number of different fabrics and textures to add interest to the room by Betsy Burnham
This pretty casually chic bedroom by Ginger Barber goes with tone on tone linens and a light sage colored bench and bed frame
Erin Martin designed this informal dining area in this California home with a fun twist on the chinoiserie inspired china cabinet

Designer Christina Rothman chooses to bring in various textiles to give this tone on tone living room interest but keeping the harmony in the room at the same time

Designer Melissa Rufty gets a simple pop of color in this otherwise beige and gold room with a little pink on the front pillow on the bed

Pretty and cozy beige slipcovered sofa and chairs by Leslie Scaglione

Pretty dining area in slip covered ivory linen makes for a casually elegant space by Leslie Scaglione

Albert Hadley uses touches of soft green in this predominantly beige bedroom

Designer Nancy Price uses this bedrooms tall master bed's dark wood as the contrast in this room against all the lightness....it is very serene

Catby Kincaid designed an all beige room to perfection here with subtle accents of blue and white....love this room
This tone on tone room gets a little added drama with a darker brown sofa and walls by Jim Howard

Oh the power of pillows! Take them away and you have a beige room..but look what they add!
This bright, airy Hamptons bedroom gets bathed in beige.....more art deco, look at the funky lampshades, they appear to be upside down! Benjamin Noriega-Ortiz 
Pretty,inviting seating area in beige and bronze hues is quietly elegant Phoebe Howard

Let me know if any of these beige rooms struck a chord. Have an enchanting day!




Giveaway information-

has generously donated this brand new fabulous french occasional chair!
(Retails for $395)

Gorgeous painted Provence chair, ideal for a living room, dining room or a dressing area.
 (The picture is a little blurry, working on getting a clearer one but here is the link to get a great picture and be able to zoom in and get the details... http://www.safaviehhome.com/product_info.php?cPath=6_44&&noborder=noborder&newPath=44&products_id=2695


Go to www.safaviehhome.com and scoll down for links to their facebook and twitter:
  • Join Safavieh on facebook and leave a comment on their facebook page on what your favorite item is from their site (one entry)
  • Follow Safavieh on Twitter (one entry)
  • Leave me a comment anytime between now and the 17th telling me what your favorite post is since I have been blogging about a month ago.....good luck! (one entry)
  • Actual drawing is Friday, Feb. 18th and I will announce the winner that day on my post
I will use random.org to pick the lucky winner..... this wonderful giveaway will take place on 
Safavieh's warehouse



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25 comments:

  1. #12, the outdoor porch....
    I am in total love.
    I would live here all summer/spring (probably all year, lol) long!

    I hope your week is fabulous dear & that your 100% better really soon.

    XOXO

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  2. Many of them were beautiful but the one from Christina Rothman is particularly beautiful - and the ones with the oversized lanterns. Great post!

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  3. Love a great neutral room but you're right - it has to have the right mix of texture, proportion and pieces etc to make it successful. You've found some terrific examples of fabulous designers who have created particularly soothing and interesting rooms.

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  4. I've been using so much strong color lately, I was just saying yesterday-me next house will be all gray and beige and natural tones. Not sure which one of the looks you tire of first...

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  5. Every single room is gorgeous! The sunroom is stone walls is my favorite. Thanks for all the inspiration.
    xo,
    Sherryu

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  6. I don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful images in one post. I particularly love the Shannon Bowers room because you could take away four pillows, a vase and a garden stool, swap in a few accessories in other colors and textures and have a totally new room. I guess now that I say that, you could do that will almost all of them.

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  7. Love those first two rooms and that living room by Phoebe Howard is out of this world. I typically stay away from beige since it fades out at night for us but I might be willing to give it another try now!

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  8. I also have done a lot of color for many years, but am having a great time with the last couple of projects, working with a neutral palette. Neutral does not have to mean beige, though. For me, the magic in a neutral room is the contrast of texture and value. I am not overly fond of a monochromatic room that has little value contrast. Light and Dark are important, I think, and the use of black, chocolates, charcoals, etc, along with whites and everything in between is what makes a neutral palette work. As you expertly pointed out in your post, LIGHTING is probably the most important element. I have marveled for years at how Martha Stewart Living is the ultimate example of that. A publication of mostly ordinary things, presented and photographed in extraordinary ways. Lighting is major.

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  9. Dear Tina,

    Beautiful post! My mother would love this as she is the QUEEN OF BEIGE!

    Dean Farris

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  10. What a fabulous round up of monochromatic rooms.They really take my breath away. I have learned that any color combination can be both beautiful and inviting in a well designed room.

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  11. What a lovely, lovely blog! I am so glad you found me! Now I am following YOU!
    ~Andie

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  12. I always love your posts, they're very informative and you have so many gorgeous pictures!!!

    Thank you for subscribing to my blog! I appreciate that! :-)


    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    Post of the Day: A Multi-million House in Malibu.

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  13. Beautiful rooms, well designed, but I adore color. I would be bored to death by all of that beige. I think designers often need a place like this for escape because they are surrounded by color all day. But for me? I would feel deprived without color, even in a beautifully appointed room.

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  14. Lots of non-boring beige interiors here. I'm a fan of Fern Santini and Ginger Barber's interiors. There's plenty of texture and contrast to provide a stimulating visual treat.

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  15. There's an element in every room that I love. And, I love the various styles of lanterns used. The lovely dining room by Paolo Moschino speaks to me most. I can see myself and family members lingering here after dining engaging in lively conversation! Absolute perfection!

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  16. Im so glad you found me, I love your blog .. just my style Im impressed :)) OF course I will be you follower ..(hope you will be mine to) and all this beautiful images..OMG so different styles but in some way with the same because the genuine touch of professional designers .. .. waow our world has SO much beautiful things to see .. I'm in heaven, se you soon have a lovely day /Marie

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  17. ..oh I will join Safavie on twitter and FB..;)

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  18. I agree; a neutral decorating scheme can be effective, especially with a well-chosen mix of textures and forms. Of course, good architecture always helps.

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  19. Oh dearest, let me just say that I am going to have to come back to soak in all the beauty that you have so graciously spilled out to all of us that love these hues of softness and relaxation. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR VISITING ME and my humble post on my renovation; my photography skills lack, but I think you know what I am aiming at....EVERYTHING YOU SHOW HERE! My husband is expecting me for dinner any moment, but I want to thank you for inviting me here; please sign me up for the beautiful giveaway. Again, your style and choice of pictures are EXCEPTIONAL AND TDF!!!!!

    Fondly, Anita

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  20. Just found your blog via Party Resources...thanks for the comment on my post...I agree, the guest list is what will make or break a dinner party for sure! Many of these rooms speak to me but the mirror in the 2nd image has me dying to know the source. I love it.

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  21. One of my favorite palettes! Far from boring if done right. I can't wait to decorate in this way for that little getaway beach bungalow that I have been dreaming about. :)
    There are so many overwhelming lovely images, it's hard to pick a favorite. But, if I must :) Images #23 and #26 from Traditional Home have the right amount of balance for me. The dark rich old ceilings with the handsome hardwood floors are contrasted perfectly with the light comfy upholstered pieces. Throw in some of the perfect artwork, it equals divine.
    xo

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  22. this is such a beautiful post, I am so glad I found you, so much work I am sure went into this, thank you for all the time you took to make us readers so happy!

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  23. Loving those beiges they can either go light or dark. You're right it's all about the textures. If there not included in a neutral palette then the design of the room becomes flat. Love all the neutrals they keep the room tranquil.

    Great post!

    Bette

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  24. Although i'm a colour lover, i could easily live in any of these rooms; because they aren't boring, there is depth brought in by texture, great architectural details and a lovely mix of styles. I'm happy to hear that you're feeling better too:-). XX

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  25. Absolutely gorgeous.

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Would love to hear what you have to say......happy thoughts only please!!