Naturally Neutral!

by Doreen Schofield

I love color!  Color is symbolism.  It’s energy.  It’s personality.  It influences our emotions and actions and how we respond to people, things, and ideas.  One of my favorite colors is neutral.  Now some of you may say that neutral is not a color and by dictionary definition, neutral is having little or no color.  But neutral is a beautiful color that is both classic and trendy.  Neutral can be formal or casual, but always classy.  Neutral can help increase visual space, be calming or energetic.  And according to Sherwin Williams, comes in 280 shades.

The essential key to working with neutral is to vary the tones and textures to eliminate neutral’s bad rap of being drab.  Let’s discuss using neutrals in the bathroom.

Rich, dark, cabinetry accents the crisp white toilet, tub, sink, and counter.

Quartz White and Whilst Taupe provide serenity.  Quartz and Taupe can be a cool color so maintain cohesiveness by avoiding mixing them with a warm Neutral such as Cream.

Soothing shades of taupes and tans evoke adds tranquility and calmness.

Sage and Ethereal White (which some may call green) follow the successful rules for keeping Neutral from becoming uninteresting by combining shades and textures.

Now that you have been inspired, it can be easy to achieve this look with the right products.  Kohler recently introduced the color Dune to its already extensive neutral line.  Its understated light neutral shade offers more depth than white and lends a calm, soothing feel.  This color is available on 500 base plumbing products from tubs to sinks to toilets.  Kohler’s Biscuit, Almond, Sandbar, and Innocent Blush also make it easy to coordinate tile, cabinet, and paint colors to create a smooth Neutral scheme.

Our cabinet line, Starmark, provides finishes to enhance a neutral color on many of the wood species used for vanities.  Finishes like Champagne on oak gives this species a serene blush effect.  Just picture tinted varnish Mushroom with Sandy Beige walls for a warm glowing bathroom.  And of course cabinets can be stained in white, the obvious neutral.  But when white is glazed with Butter Cream & Nickel or Aegean Mist, maple takes on a beautiful green hue.  Macadamia, Marshmallow Cream, and Eggnog steal the show from traditional dark cherry and honey oak we are so used to.

I recently attended Sherwin Williams Paint Color Forecast for 2014.  The forecast is inspired by fashion, technology, and global influences.  Some stand-out neutral’s were Kestrel White, Techno Gray and China Doll…beautiful neutrals that whisper lavender, latte, and gray.  Wall coverings are another excellent way to offer neutral interest with tone on tone texture.  Raymond Waites Wallpaper is a classic choice for vintage damask and traditional stripe.  Kenneth James’ Cayman Lavender Contemporary Raffia is a must see if you like taupe and orchid!

Don’t be leery of your favorite neutral color or style trending out.  I’ve never had a client say after their remodel, “I wish I went more (drab) neutral.”  Don’t believe that if you sell your home, the future buyer will appreciate neutral when your neutral is lacking personality or disinteresting.  Remember, neutral, when done right “goes with everything.”