From my childhood, back when the dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I remember a little rhyme: Rain. Rain. Go away. Come again another day. Well, this is how a lot of us have started to feel about gray. Specifically, I’m talking about gray interiors and we want them to go away. What was so hot and so loved for so long is now getting old. What are we craving instead? You got it: a warm neutral palette, suggestive of coziness, comfort and welcome. But, unless you’re Taylor S., of Watch Hill, or someone else with an endless design budget, you can’t just scrap your whole gray house and start over. Enter consignment and thrift, where it is actually possible to transition from cool gray to warm neutral and not break the bank. Just consider…
Just What Do We Mean By Warm Neutrals?
In the past, neutrals, almost by definition, meant beige and tan and maybe some more beige. Not any more, dear friends. Today warm neutrals mean anything from muted greens,like sage and greige (a mix of green and beige) to pale mauve and peachy pink, warm brick red and muted brown to chocolate brown and even soft black and lilac.
Where To Start The Transition From Cool Gray to Warm Neutral
Like I said, unless you’re Ms. Swift, you are not scrapping the whole of your gray house to gob onto this new trend. But if you’re feeling like you’d like a little more warmth in your home, pick a room, any room, and then head out to shops like Consignments Ltd. When you’re there, start by looking for neutral items in one of the one easiest and most cost-effective categories: fabrics. Look for pillows in warm, brick red to perk up your gray sofa or perhaps a pale mauve throw to do the same. In the bedroom, a new-to-you comforter in chocolate brown would be a wonderful contrast to those pale, gray walls. Other fabric items like curtains and table linens are also great ways to ease into this trend. You can try it out without breaking the bank.
Transition From Cool Gray to Warm Neutral with Wood Furniture
Another easy way to warm up a cool palette is to add wood into the equation. Home consignment and thrift stores are just the place to do this. Consider trading out that glass and metal media stand for a scrubbed-pine console that will serve the same purpose, but warm your space dramatically. Or switch out that gray, upholstered headboard for a brown, wood four poster. Yup. Same effect. Instant warmth.
Insider Tip: You don’t have to be afraid of making a mistake for three, big reasons:
- The price-point is so much better than regular retail stores at thrift and consignment.
- You can reconsign purchased items if you’ve made a mistake and hate warm neutrals.
- And finally, if you love it, and you’re keeping it, you can sell your old, gray item on consignment.
- That’s a trifecta!
Now Here’s A Little Music Before We Go…
For more on interior design trends, check out my previous blogs like: Canopy Beds Are Back in Style and Brown Is Back In Interior Design.
No Comments