The Neutral Charm

Neutral colours are sometimes associated with minimalism. To some degree, minimalism helped promote use of neutral colours by  reducing  use of bold popping colours. There has been a development of colour trends throughout the century as published countless times  in design blogs and magazines. However, there is a general colour palette that is observed around  different regions and countries in the world. This palette is picked from  the culture of the people; artifacts, fabrics, dyes etc, the flora and fauna, food, spices and colour of the landscapes. 

Southern parts of America have warm wet climates and  rich cultures. This translates to their designs which are colourful, bold, exciting and vibrant. Antarctica is characterised by snow with cold weather and no sun. Design therefore have taken up a calm look and feel with greys, whites and stone as the main colours. African designs and colours richly borrow from from the savanna landscape . Deep oranges, browns, greens,maroons and yellows are a main characteristic.  In France, natural neutral colours are a common factor borrowed from their love of bread, cheese and  coffee.

Neutral colours can be used in any style of design.

1.The Modern Neutral Charm

In this day and age where countless colours have been invented, bright colours may be too much. In study of colour psychology, different colours create different moods. Orange for instance denotes energy and warmth. After a while, this may start feeling overwhelming.  White creates a mood of calm and therefore works well in homes located in busy environments.  White also denotes elegance and sophistication and therefore is a good colour to use in luxury apartments. It s a common colour in modern style of design

2. The Boho Chic  Neutral Charm

Boho chic is a melting pot of colour, texture and pattern. Boho is denoted from Bohemian style which emerged from Central and Eastern European decent. This style generated from people who lived unconventional lives, richly artistic and nomadic. They travelled a lot taking with them collectibles and souvenirs which they used as art and decor in their home. This style became common in 1960’s and 1970s. Boho style has variants based on where items were collected from

3. The Beach Neutral Charm

Beach style interior design colours, patterns , prints and textures are adapted from the beach environment. Sand, water, stones, shells, and flora are some of the elements that influence these colours and therefore Beige, white and grey become colours mostly used. Sometimes, surrounding communities contribute to some of the elements used in different areas. Swahili community around the Kenyan-Tanzanian coast influence the coastal design in this area. Marsala and  maroon colours with brass/bronze metal therefore become part of the coastal design in these areas.

4. The Farmhouse Neutral Charm

Farmhouse Interior design is characterised by use of wicker and rattan for the furniture, slip cover on the couch and armchairs as is casual and practical, vintage furniture pieces, Belfast sink in white ceramic or copper, butcher block counters on dining tables or island, exposed wood beams, reclaimed barn wood and pellets. One of the most important element is the weathered look on wood ; floor wall and ceiling finishes or on furniture. Farmhouse colours are subtle with minimal pattern.

5. The Scandinavian Neutral Charm

Scandinavian style as per the name originated from  Scandinavia by the Nordic people . This style leans towards the contemporary style of designs with a minimalist characteristic. In this style of design, light wood finishes are used on floors and furniture,  wall to wall carpets are replaced with simple rugs, light muted colours on walls and fabrics, clean lines, de-cluttered spaces ,  simple decor and art and lots of natural light. Black White and Grey hues are quite common .

Inspiration pour le Journee

Margie wanted the aesthetic to reflect her client’s personality so she went for a fresh, playful look. She chose pinks, greys and taupe's that all have the same undertone to achieve an airy feel, and layered on quiet patterns and texture for visual interest. The kitchen is made for entertaining with a large island that divides it from the adjacent family room. A large, comfortable sofa adds a relaxed vibe to the space, while built-ins showcase thoughtful accessories. Moldings detailed with cashmere grass cloth wallpaper add depth to the dining room.

Check out video below by House and Home for inspiration.

Styling with rugs.

Rug  making dates back to the 13th century. People then began making rugs for a very simple reason; to keep their feet warm. Back then, rugs were all hand made and were made from the available materials then which was mostly wool. Wool would be harvested from sheep and would be used for different purposes such as making clothes, covers and rugs. Wool was very expensive and  therefore with time, people sought alternative materials .With invention of industries, synthetic materials such as nylon, polyester and  polypropylene began to be manufactured and hence used in rug making. These were obviously cheaper than wool. In the modern day, wool is only used to make luxury rugs.

Rugs come in different types; Woven, Needle felt, Knotted and Tufted. Others include flat weave, hooked  rug, and embroidery. These types are differentiated by how they are produced. Different countries such as Turkey, Persia, Scandinavia e.t.c have gained recognition for their rugs due to the techniques used to make them and their character.  

One can use rugs to style different parts of the home.

1.Entry hall

Entry halls are not the easiest to style. Reason being, most are narrow and are just passages from the entry to the lounge. Entry halls however are one of the most  important because they are the face of the home. As the decor is minimal, one can get away with selecting a rug with large patterns or a pop of colour. One can match the colours with prints on the ottoman, wall art or light fitting. One can also select a totally different style and colour to create a contrast.  These areas also get dirty quickly and therefore a synthetic material would be the best to use for this rug for ease in cleaning.

2.Dining

Dining areas are some of places where many people do not think of having a rugs. Mainly because the dining table is the center of focus and most of the time people concentrate on the table decor or wall art. Rugs however in this area soften the space. Depending on the number of finishes in the room i.e wood on the table, fabric on chairs and wall paper or textured paints, one can decide to have a rug that blends harmoniously with these elements. The choice of pattern size is important in order not to make the space feel too busy.

3. Kitchen

People began using rugs in the kitchen for function purposes. Kitchens are wet areas and  when water spills, tiles become quite slippery. Rugs help reduce hazards by providing a grip.  Rugs with felts underneath work well in this room. Oriental, geometric, or Persian patterns bring character as most cabinets are plain . Rugs also help create appeal  in large open plan kitchens with no island.

4.Home Office

Home offices are designed to be cosy and comfortable. People want to escape the hard, plain , boring and rigid office environment into a warm homely space. Wall to wall carpets are most ideal in this space however, rugs are as well used to create this comfort. Rugs are flexible in that one can  move them around as they like. They are also easy to clean in comparison to wall to wall carpets as they are light and washable.

5.Patio

Covered patios provide that extra space where one can create a lounge or dining area. Having this space covered  makes it possible to use the space adequately all year round. With design nowadays, one can install sliding panels that one can draw during the cold weather. Due to the adequate ventilation, wood or charcoal fireplaces can also be installed. This place therefore needs to be as comfortable as possible. Outdoor rugs can be used as they are easy to clean and do not stain when in contact with soil.  

Inspiration pour le Journee

Maia Roffey of Black Sheep Interior Design shares expert tips on finding the perfect rug. Hint: it’s not just about the style! Get Maia’s advice on purchasing the right rug for your budget — one that suits your space and meets your functional needs. Plus, get her ideas on rug placement and how to select the best size for your living room, dining room and bedroom.