EDesigns Custom Interiors
Designing with Pale Neutrals
When we think about designing with neutrals in our home, the word beige is the color that most often comes to mind. The next color in the thought process is probably some shade of white. We have been taught to play it safe, making sure that the new sofa we plan to buy will work no matter what color we choose. Then there is the thought that when we want to sell our house it had better be a shade of white; even though we don’t plan to sell our house for 
another ten years and at that time it will be in need of new paint. The trade off here is we have chosen to live in a home that probably lacks excitement or inspiration. On the whole most people do not aspire to live in this bland colored interior but fear making a mistake with color. However, the use of the pale neutral colors doesn’t have to be boring. Even in a monochromatic color scheme excitement can be added with the use of furnishings and accessories. Textiles from sofa fabrics to window treatments and throw pillows can add dimension with various textures from smooth and shiny to soft and nubby. Choose some textiles with patterns to add an interesting layer. Vary the shades of your wall color in these
textiles to add more depth to your room. The use of area rugs or carpeting is another way to add more pattern and texture to this type color scheme. This might be a good time to introduce a splash of another color into the room with art work.
If you have a great view, make it the feature point in your design. There is no better way to open up a room than bring the outdoors inside. The green of nature will look wonderful with a pale neutral interior. It can also add a calming element to the room. If your view has a stunning nightscape make sure you take advantage of it. Use more subdued lighting in your interior to bring the night view inside. For function make sure you have the proper task lighting available for when you need it. If you have a great view right outside your window, whether night or day make the most of it.
The imaginative use of art work can make a room come alive and sets a tone. 
Depending on your design style a large canvas with bold colors hung on a focal wall in the room could provide drama and excitement to your pale neutral color scheme. This is also a great way to show off your interest. If you have a collection of maybe African mask try hanging them in an interesting way in the room. Perhaps you have a collection of sketches that could be showcased. Try hanging them in a surprising arrangement, perhaps starting lower on the wall nearer the floor and rising up the wall. Use art work that will make the room individually you. Try accessories with interesting forms to add surprise and interest. This type of art could be in the form of blown glass vases, carved wood tables, imaginative light fixtures as long as it adds surprise and form; maybe a bright color to draw the eye. Add a bit of color surprise by using a non traditional color on the ceiling as in the picture to the right. Adding bits of a vivid color in the textiles also keep the room vibrate. This can make the neutrals in the room feel more exciting. 
Still think beige or white are the only colors that have wide appeal in the pale neutral family? Expand you options consider colors like butter, heavy cream, oatmeal, coffee, mocha, parchment, camel coat, silver, mist, oyster, sea foam, celadon, fennel, sky, duck’s egg, ginger, caramel, cognac, lilac, wisteria or pear an interior that is pale and neutral doesn’t have to be bland and boring. Turn a safe neutral color scheme into stunning with a wonderful color scheme and a great design.