Studio 5 : Designing Naturally

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Today so many home trend magazines, catalogs and retail stores are highlighting furnishings and décor that feature the lighter side of the color palette - giving the spotlight to more natural features that seem to eliminate all the fussiness of high-drama decorating. These spaces are often called ‘calming’ and ‘restful’ but sometimes border on, shall we say, boring? Today Designer Lauren Oviatt gives us five no-fail tips to creating fabulous and memorable spaces when heading into “neutral territory.”

In neutral décor, details become the color
When we think about cleansing the palette of a room, so to speak, we are taking away any colors that are too vibrant or strong. Where does the eye go now? The best designers know that design is truly in the details, especially when it comes to neutral spaces. Focus in on the smaller elements of your furnishings and accessories… a leading edge banding on your drapes, the nailhead detail on your sofa or the pleated skirt on your accent chair. It can be a beautiful tassel or fringe on a pillow, the ribbon banding on a lampshade or a subtle placement of ‘found’ objects arranged on a coffee table tray. Paying attention to these details will be the greatest payoff in your neutral space.

**Tip to keep things hip : try to pick details that continue your aesthetic – this will make the details noticeable and not jarring.

Beware of the various shades of neutral
Ever tried to find the color called “white” in a paint deck or the store display?? Doesn’t exist. Just like there are a thousand shades of white, there are also many shades and tints of neutral colors like tan, camel, tobacco, khaki and dove grey, French grey, cool grey, etc. The list goes on. I absolutely believe that layering different neutrals will enhance the character of your room, however, you must pay attention to the undertones of these colors. Adding too many layers of non-harmonious neutrals will muddy your color scheme and defeat the idea of creating calm in your space.

**Tip to keep things hip: A bold and trendy color combination is warm camel with cool grey… you can mix cool shades with warm – the trick with this is that the camel color is rich and deep and the cool grey is a much lighter shade. Contrast is key.

Use nature’s neutral
I am so into greenery! It works in every space no matter your style preference. If you have a love affair with cut flowers like I do, keep a small vase on your sofa table to make the room inviting. More lasting investments would be potted houseplants in your favorite watertight basket or ceramic container. Ever consider a live tree in the corner of the room…? I love this idea because you can only place so many objects in a room or on the walls before it becomes cluttered. Fresh elements like trees, plants and flowers are a terrific way to soften the objects around them while only enhancing their presence.

**Tip to keep things hip: don’t let your pothos swag across multiple pieces of furniture! Keep stems and leaves clipped and neat near the container’s edges.

Think natural elements
With the exception of synthetic fibers, most home décor fabrics come from nature… linen, cotton, velvet, silk, wool, jute and many other readily available fabrics and materials come straight from the ground. Again, think about the details here and get creative using natural, textural elements. Using these different textures will add layers of interest and depth to the space that nothing else ever could. Soft wool broadloom underfoot, silk or taffeta drapery (a personal fave!), cotton velvet pillows and every woman’s bare necessity, a luxurious cashmere throw over your sofa … can you see where I’m going with this? We are creating a space you’ll never want to leave, and we’re only talking texture so far!

** Tip to keep things hip: Edit down to the details and keep things looking neat. It’s like taking off a piece of jewelry before you leave the house. 

Light isn’t just the palette here
I always like to inject a bit of glamour into my clients’ spaces, and when it comes to rooms where the palette is neutral, special consideration must be paid to how light comes into the space. If you have floor to ceiling windows and ten-foot ceilings, lucky you, but many spaces have few windows, natural light coming only from one side of the room, standard eight-foot ceilings and other normal obstacles we all face. I am a huge proponent of incandescent secondary lighting like floor and table lamps, wall sconces and any other light fixtures that have dimming capabilities. Usually when a room “feels good” it’s because it’s well lit and inviting, no matter if the furniture budget was $1,000 or $100,000. Another way to bring light into the space is to bring in mirrors. This tip is as old as the book and works wonders especially in small spaces. Not just wall mirrors but mirrored trays, mirrored furniture or decorative glass objects can instantly add detail and that sparkle factor to a room while visually brightening and expanding the space.

**Tip to keep things hip: Place mirrored accessories directly under or near the light in the room – it creates a stunning look and shoots more light across the room.