Although we all love to see beautiful, inspiring, colorful rooms, the feedback we get most is that you all want to see stay In a quiet, neutral home. And because we both want to introduce you to new ideas, styles, etc., we also want to help you get the home you want. So when I was sent this beautiful home designed by Sam Donnelly businessmen and tradersI thought this was the perfect opportunity to talk about great ideas for making a neutral home feel warm and inviting. Let’s dive right in.
wall paint | white tile | pendant | vase (same) Diarrhea
Starting from the heart of the home…the kitchen. There are a few things happening here that I want to mention:
- mixture of white and brown colors
- Mixing Different Countertop Stones
- Accent tile in places that match the architecture
- deep tone balance
Starting with the choice of bright white walls and ceiling, then going with a very light gray for the doors and finally a warm white for the cabinets, instantly makes this space feel very intentional. This is a very calming visual texture, which is the goal of most neutral-toned homes. But where texture is less cool is in wood, stone and tile. I really like the option of building a light/warm wood island. It immediately grabs your attention but is not so bold that you don’t notice anything else. I also like that it has a different tone than the floor. Next, having countertops with different stones is another very simple way to make your kitchen feel special to you. This black Belvedere quartzite really shows off the counterstools, the dark pantry on the back wall, and of course the hardware. And while we’re not the biggest supporters of random accent walls, when it’s an architectural detail like a corner, it’s a great option. Zellige tile, in particular, is handmade, so it has texture, variety, and it has such a beautiful luster to bounce the light around.
Similar to Em’s kitchen, Sam decided to paint the pantry a dark color, which I love. It’s still a neutral color, but it gives unexpected depth to the overall kitchen design. In a mostly light, neutral home, you still want to find those moments to add something that’s a little surprising, but still feels comfortable with the overall design. Smaller rooms like pantries and powder rooms are actually perfect for this.
pendant | vase (same) Diarrhea | Island Stone – Black Belvedere Quartzite
The cabinet wall is also covered in the same tile, which balances the range wall. In an open concept space, you have to be really specific about where you will place your tile. This wall is essentially another corner, so there is a natural beginning and end point on each side. Side note, I really like the mix of rugs in this shot. One is heavily textured but neutral, and the other has a funky pattern and adds eye-catching color to the space. Also note the scale of those amazing pendants! Whenever I get a chance, I will shout it from the rooftops. scale is very important. If these pendants were smaller then they would have looked better. But since they’re big, it looks like someone really thought about the design. Like a professional did it (which a professional did :)). Plus, combining that bronze with the black hardware adds a nice warmth.
Counter Stone – Michelangelo Dolomite Quartzite
I think this is a beautiful shot that shows the details of many elements of this kitchen. Another thing to think about if you’re custom designing your cabinetry is the different types of drawers. Emily is really big about mapping out all of your drawers and cabinets to make sure everything has a place, but mixing up the types (ie, 3 stacked square drawers next to 2 rectangular drawers, followed by undersink cabinets) looks amazing when done right. It seems to have been made very thoughtfully.
I like the selection of these knobs. Almost mid-century modern, while still leaning traditional. If you need a lot of hardware but want a more modern traditional kitchen, I wouldn’t go too “specific” as it can be very overwhelming looking, but something like this is perfect.
Diarrhea | sectional | pendant (same) dining chairs (Similar)
Moving from the kitchen to the living area. I like the option of making sure the light wood accents are throughout the room. You know I love a thin-walled space, so that detail made my eyes and my heart so happy. Adding simple but special (dare I say it) details like this takes a more minimalist space to the next level. And like any style (at least in our opinion), vintage is the fastest way to ensure that your home feels unique and soulful. I believe the dining table is vintage, the rug is minimalist vintage-inspired (but still soft and pretty), and that little stool is a special piece. They’re giving personality! Cute pets are an added bonus 🙂
Speaking of vintage, this entry is full of it. Another important thing to remember in neutral spaces is the power of shape. The curves of the bench arms, as well as the coat rack, add a lot without being too colorful and/or patterned. I also really like the mix of flooring materials here. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted with lots of texture.
wall paint | double arm pendant | dining table | Dining Chairs (Similar) | sconces
Does anyone recognize that dining table?? This is the one in Emily’s sunroom. It is very beautiful here and it is fun to look at it with different chairs. The mix of styles makes this setup more interesting and fun (but still neutral). Then you have a little pop of color with shades of ginger on the sage green sideboard and pendants. It’s a good idea to choose colors that combine white and wood, but can still be found naturally in nature. This will maintain overall softness and neutrality.
And before we go any further, I like that the designer took the opportunity to add an accent wall, which is, again, a standalone architectural feature. The paneling suits the style of this home perfectly and really adds that designer touch.
Wallpaper | Head (same) stash jar | ceramic tall vase (Similar)
It’s a reminder to have fun in your powder room, even if the rest of your home is very neutral. This is a great opportunity for an unexpected design moment. And how fun are those turquoise sconces??
wall paint | a bookcase (same) pendant | couch | rug | leather chairs (same) Turk (Similar)
Here is the living room. It’s full of textures, different styles, and yet it all works together. The curved arm of the sofa speaks to the curves on the leather chairs. Then the leather color helps to enhance the space along with the modern coffee table and traditional large cabinet. That beautiful pendant really draws your attention to all that bustle, and no neutral home’s living room is complete without a big tree 🙂 You just want to make sure the colors and tones are evenly distributed. This is a common sensation when you’re looking around a room or playing with a computer program. trust your gut. It doesn’t mean to be so scientific and precise.
pendant | couch | rug | leather chairs (same) Turk (Similar)
They moved things around for this shot, but it’s just as homey and inviting. Calm and neutral does not mean dull and lifeless. This is proof of this.
wall color | nightstands | Bed (same) pink chair (Similar)
Welcome to the Primary Suite. First of all, I love this canopy bed and the incredibly fun table lamp on the nightstand. That woven ceiling light adds so much warmth too! Now, I know I spent the first part of this post knocking accent walls that aren’t architecturally distinctive, but since this wood wall doesn’t contrast too much from the other walls and it’s in a normally soft tone. I think it’s a nice addition.
wall paint | Head | mirror | Tap
The bathroom would be lucky for any of us. But in terms of design elements, I like the mix of brick floor tiles and zelige wall tiles. The shape of both seems to be similar, but the color, brightness and tone variation look very special together. Again, with the warm, natural cream countertop, it’s very exciting to the eyes! So match those stones and tiles, guys. However, to keep the space from looking too cold, that gorgeous warm-toned wood vanity, sconces, and rug actually help create the contrast. It’s a very neutral spa-like bathroom, but built in such textures and isn’t boring.
Head | mirror | Tap | stash jar
Love these drawer fronts too.
Wallpaper (same) Tap | peg rail (Similar)
A cool neutral wallpaper will always give you a more interesting style without overwhelming the space. This one is no different! M wrote about her cool, neutral wallpaper journey here!
What I love about this bathroom is the speckled detail of the wall tile and how those dark spots speak to the gray and black in the countertop stone. They both have a lot of dynamism and are neutrals, but together they look really fresh. I love those scones too. Interesting lighting will always make the home feel special and more unique. To me, they are like art and worth investing in. But that’s just my two cents 🙂
Here the kitchen/living area is visible from the backyard. It was so beautiful to show off, and now I want summer here as soon as possible.
Neutral homes, when used with the right materials and decor, are very special and calming to live in and live in… just like this home. Hopefully this little tour has been helpful and given you ideas about your home, whether neutral or not.
I love you, it means it.
*Design by Sam Donnelly businessmen and traders
**Photos by Joe Schmelzer TreasureByte Studio
