Grey is the New Neutral
Grey is the new neutral
It started several seasons ago, my Shumacher sales rep was showing me the new spring line and I began to see a reoccurring color trend……GREY. The first sample that perked my interest, Shantung Sihlouette was a shy grey with definite violet undertones: I was immediately taken by its softness and sophistication and ordered a sample along with several companion fabrics to add to my library. I knew I would use it sometime. Soon, a client wanted to redo her master bedroom in a feminine pallet and I had just the perfect fabric group for her to view. Coupled with lots of whites this pattern created a beautiful scheme for her bedroom.
The new and continuingly popular pallet of Greys connects well with today’s choices for furnishings; a more modern interior design style. Once thought of as depressing or cave like, the new crop of Greys has tossed out those old misconceptions. Grey is now thought of as sophisticated and can range from the whisper of tranquil background color, a strong statement of contemporary style or an intermediary hue that plays well with just about any other color on the color wheel. Take icy Zinc toned greys that are invitingly cool, like a chilly lake on a summer’s day. To offset the cool nature of this grey, add warm tones, yellow, tangerine or creamy white. Another option is to use a deeper platinum grey with brown, metals and natural wood tones and keep it sharp and add multiple shades of grey and differing textures to the space.
Check out the photo collage of what I call a modern lodge look grouping of fabrics. Benjamin Moore’s Silver Dollar cut to 75% intensity and Simply White trim are the wall and trim colors which will set the tone for a warm yet contemporary/rustic family room. For this client I am using the brown leather on her new sofa, the blue, brown, tan and black Kilim wool weave from Shumacher will be placed on a custom sized cocktail ottoman, the brown mohair reupholstered to her club chair. Natural wood and metal tables and accents round out the space. Adding gold taffeta drapery panels and other yellow accents keep the room from being dull and flat adding a note of luxury to the space. One big change to this room is my removing the traditionally paneled fireplace facade and replacing it with veneered stone and an antique shelf and corbels.