EASY WAYS TO ADD COLOR TO YOUR NEUTRAL DECOR

Both The Hubs and I love a certain old pottery called 'flow blue'.  It was originally a mistake, back in the day when it was made.  The blue dye 'flowed' where it shouldn't when the plates, bowls, platters, pitchers and other tableware were fired/glazed.  The British manufacturers deemed it inferior and sent it to the colonies - but instead of garnering criticism, it became very popular... instead of a 'mistake' it was thereafter done on purpose as the demand for it grew.  I loved the deep blues of this antique dinnerware long before I learned the story - but the story served to make me love it even more.  

I also root for the underdog...

I have a good bit of this in my house, and so I add pops of color to my otherwise neutral decor by displaying the platters and plates and pitchers here and there.

Ceramics, pottery, and other like accessories can add pops of color in a small way, or you can opt for a more direct pop with paint.

While a whole room of deep blue might be a little heavy, anchoring a focal wall with color can bring some personality to a neutral room.  I love how in this neutral room, the blue wall adds a focal point and anchors the family photos - all black and white and framed the same size and the same way for uniformity. 

Fabric is a more permanent way to add color - in the ottoman above and the sofas below - 

definite color is added with furniture.  

When adding color, you can also think past walls and fabric to woodwork.
Think of the mantle or bookcases

or your kitchen cabinetry

A fresh coat of paint often updates tired pieces of furniture

Rugs can add color nearly anywhere

In this room, turquoise is repeated in fabrics, accessories and artwork to wake up a neutral room

Nothing wakes up a room quite like nature.  Fresh flowers, plants, botanicals... they add life.

I love to be surprised by color in an unexpected place.

If you want to color to your home, but are a little unsure how to achieve it...

  START SMALL 

 with an accent or two...

 BRING TOUCHES IN 

WITH  FABRICS

OR A RUG

OR A COLORFUL ACCENT PIECE

ADD A FEW ACCESSORIES...

JUST  REMEMBER TO KEEP THE COLOR CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT ANY OF THE ROOMS THAT ARE OPEN TO EACH OTHER.

 Good luck!

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 QUESTION FROM A READER:

Claudine,

I have just discovered your blog and I have spent the last few weekends going through your previous posts..love it!!  I need your help with selecting a paint color for my living room and dining room which are open to each other. Both are fairly open to the kitchen (can see both from kitchen with double width entries to both). With the help of another color consultant several years ago I selected BM mellowed Ivory for the kitchen walls, BM River Gorge Gray for my cabinets and BM timid white trim. 

Benjamin Moore - MELLOWED IVORY

Benjamin Moore - RIVER GORGE GRAY

She had advised that I paint the dining room area (3 walls) BM Timothy Straw and the Living Room Mellowed Ivory as well. 

Benjamin Moore TIMOTHY STRAW

The color were based upon the upholstery fabric in the living room. 

I like the cabinet color and pleased with the mellowed ivory for the most part (certain light it can be bit much) but I don't think I would care for it in the living room. I will probably purchase new furniture within the next few years so don't want to base my selection on the furniture (images attached ) but don't want it to look off either. Current floors will be replaced - will probably go with a walnut stain wood. Is there a neutral in the gray tones that would work? If not, open to any other suggestions. Note that we get quite a bit of morning/afternoon light. I appreciate any advise you can provide. Thanks, Cindy

Hi Cindy,

I think a nice neutral gray is exactly right for your color scheme.  Try a few of these colors out in your home and see what looks best.  I think you will really like the cooler tones with the upholstery you currently have.  And they are neutral - so will probably look as nice with furniture of the future as with the furniture you currently have.

Northern Cliffs (Benjamin Moore)

Seattle Mist (Benjamin Moore)

Silver Mist BM

BM Beach Glass

BM Smoke

Good Luck!

DECORATE WITH COLOR

IF YOU LOVE COLOR....

live in it...

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

eat in it

HGTV

Boston Interiors

DigsDigs

DigsDigs

Homedit

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

cook in it

HGTV

HGTV

Brit Co

Handmade and Craft

HGTV

This Old House

HGTV

HGTV

sleep in it

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

HGTV

Better Home and Gardens

Foter

Pinterest

Pinterest

HGTV

immerse yourself in it

HGTV

Shoebox

Pinterest

Dutch Boy Paint

If you love color - use it where you will see it everyday -

whether its bold

HGTV

House Beautiful

 or more subtle

HGTV

HGTV

 If color makes you happy....

USE IT!

HGTV

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QUESTION FROM A READER

Hi 
I was wondering if you would suggest 2 colors: 1 for the lower half of our hallway and one for our living room. I used gray owl in my kitchen which opens to my family room, painted sea haze. 

Gray Owl BM

November Rain BM

Sea Haze BM

The sea haze family room is connected to an open hallway in which I have painted november rain above a chair rail (looking to paint another color on the bead board below but don’t know what to do there - it does not always receive natural light). This hall way/entryway (november rain and ???) connects to the living room. From the kitchen (gray owl), you are able to view the living room (color???). The living room is located on the north side of the house; however the windows in this room face east and west. What paints should I use for a pretty smooth transition in these areas? All of my woodwork is painted benjamin moore dove white. I have wood floors that are a medium shade. For accent colors, I love blues, greens and reds.

Thank you so much for your help. I am struggling with this and would appreciate your input.
Very best wishes,
Missy

Gray Owl BM

November Rain BM

Sea Haze BM

Missy, you have chosen some lovely colors, but maybe too many.  I think sometimes we tend to think each separate space requires a separate color, but actually reusing some of these colors will pull your design together and help it flow.  You could certainly use Sea Haze on the bottom portion of the wall.

In the living room, since you like blues, greens and reds, you could reuse one of the colors above, or pull in one with a blue undertone.  Here are a few to try.  These soft colors should all work nicely together. 

BM Eternity

Eternity BM

BM Van Courtland Blue

BM Smoke

BM Nimbus Gray

BM Solitude

BM Pikes Peak Gray

.