Neutral Territory

As an interior designer and stylist, I can spot a property that has been styled for sale (and a real estate agent) a mile away. Because of this I go to great lengths to make each of my projects unique and full of little details that create the illusion of a real, stylish ‘home’ and not a staged property.

For me, one of the biggest give-aways that a property has been styled for sale is when it’s awash with beige. Floor to ceiling, wall to wall beige – oh and vases full of giant sticks – but that’s a whole other story…

When styling a property for sale I tend to steer clear of a pallid palate in favor of a bit of pop through colour, however that being said, the beauty of my job is that anything goes. I do what is right for each property and for the market (putting my own spin on it of course), and when done right, a neutral palate can be extremely beautiful, deep and rich – quite the opposite of dull in fact.

Neutral, by the way, does not mean beige exclusively. In fact I tend to avoid beige when putting together a neutral look, because lets face it – beige is dull. A neutral palate consists of earth tones and can include various shades of white (of which there are countless), browns, taupes and greys – I sometimes even cheat a little by adding some really muted tones of dusty pink, pale blues and other very light pastels but traditionally a neutral palate is devoid of any colour or variation of colour you may find in a rainbow.

The key to a successful neutral look is texture and layering and mixing elements. Find the interest in the components you add to the space through the materials you select. Some great combinations for a neutral palate are jute, leather, linen, hemp, timber, stone, etc. See the theme here? Earthy materials work beautifully when creating a neutral interior.

Don’t forget the details! A successful space goes beyond the general furnishings and into the little things like accessories, artwork, textiles and objects. Remember – we are not after a beige sofa on a beige carpet against a beige wall. It is the little things that will really pull any space together – especially when you are working with neutrals and it is the little things that are the most fun and personal and add the true character to an interior.

Above is a beautiful shot I found on Pinterest that exemplifies the beauty of a neutral palate and how the objects you add can really create a sense of depth and meaning.