The best of neutrals in home decor
The best of neutrals in home decor. I’m sharing the five favorites that I keep coming back to time and time again. The thing about neutrals is that you never tire of them. The natural elements in a neutral space always bring comfort to a space.
1. Carol Estes
No one does neutrals in home decor like Carol Estes, so whenever I’m tempted to add a little color, I return to her Instagram feed and am immediately back in love with warm neutrals. It may not be for everyone, but here’s what I noticed from Carol’s home.
Her color palette may be limited to shades of cream and white and brown and gray, but there are a million shades of each. Carol mixes everything beautifully with natural elements like wood, stone, marble, concrete. In all of these elements, there are so many different variations. She mixes in plants and other earthy elements.
Entryway Table with skateboards!
I love how Carol uses things like a stack of skateboards under an entryway table. The lamp wrapped in leather with a touch of brass works perfectly on the clean-lined parsons’ table.
You can see lots more of Carol’s home, her Idyllwild Cabin that is available on Airbnb, and some of her projects on her website and her Instagram accounts!
2. Another beautiful example of using a neutral color palette is Jana Roach and her husband Tanner (Beck & Cap)
Jana and Tanner’s Collected Home
Their home is so beautiful and earthy. The tile in the kitchen, the painted stone fireplace, and of course the Canyon Coffee Table. On her Instagram, Jana talks about their collected style. They love old things, but they like to marry the new with the old and the natural. I think you’ll agree if you follow any of their Instagram accounts. (below) There’s so much inspiration from this couple!
Honey Home & Design (Jana’s store)
I discovered Jana by way of Leanne Ford, so do I need to say more? Jana and her husband live in Montana where Jana has a brick-and-mortar shop called Honey Home & Design. They have vintage treasures and the best of new designs. Like the sign says on the window…Really, really pretty things!
We are going to a wedding in Montana this summer and I’m already scheming a way to stop by Hello Honey Home! Do I know if it’s even in the vicinity of the wedding? No, I do not, but that sounds like a future me problem. Or maybe I should say a future Brent problem. haha
Beck & Cap
Jana and her husband, Tanner have a very interesting business creating organic modern furniture. It’s called Beck & Cap. They are a small team and together they create these beautiful tables, chairs, mushrooms out of sustainably and ethically sourced wood. They were discovered Leanne Ford and featured on Home Again with The Fords on HGTV.
Follow them here!
@janaroach
@beck&cap
@themarketbeautiful
@hellohoneyhome
3. Milk + Honey Life
Karen Emile shares snippets of her home in the hills of Los Angeles. She describes her style as intentional, natural, collected, and soulful. I could not agree more. Her husband built the kitchen island. I love the towel bar. A lovely detail, but so practical too!
4. Through Aiden’s Eyes
Karen’s 14-year-old son Aiden is a painter. Aiden describes how he makes art his own way by muting the colors to a palette “that’s easy on the eye.” He says he is surrounded by these colors at home and he embraces them in his art.
5. A Handmade House Studio
Karen Angelo is a designer and a maker. She combines her talents to make cotton trivets and potholders. Besides weaving, Karen loves to create a beautiful home, foraging for free furniture and having her husband do endless home projects. While her designs come in all colors, I am only sharing her neutrals for this particular post. I don’t think she will mind. Visit her here and follow along on Instagram.
That wraps up my love of neutrals. I will continue to stay the course at my home, but that’s not to say that I am not constantly inspired by people that love and embrace color. Who knows, maybe we’ll buy a beach shack somewhere and decorate it with lots of color!
Let’s go see what Cindy and Mary Ann found this week!
Cindy Hattersley Design
Classic Casual Home
My favorite books with neutral decor
oh I love the serene neutrals with all the organic materials. Just beautiful.
Annie,
Such natural inspiration makes me want to rethink my decor when we move to a retirement village this summer. It would be an departure from my moody colors but as I look around I see many neutrals already in my home. Perhaps, the serenity is what calls.
Even though Montana is enormous, be sure you follow your heart to HONEY. And, send pictures.
Winter hugs on Camano Island, Diney
Diney, moody colors sound lovely! Are you getting excited about the big move? How far away will you be from Camano Island? xx
Thank you, Annie, for your thoughtful wonderings. We will be moving south to Mercer Island which is bridged between Seattle on the west and Bellevue on the east. The retirement site is called Covenant Living on the Shore. The beauty of the surroundings soften the grief of leaving our pristine perch above Saratoga Passage on Puget Sound, 55 miles north of Seattle.
Our parents gave us the pro-active gift of planning for their senior years. We are embracing their wisdom for our children and families.
XX back,
Diney
Diney! It looks lovely! Change is hard though, no doubt about it, but I always find that there are good surprises that come with change…. xx
Hi Annie,
I’m always impressed with a well done neutral pallets, but I couldn’t live in a home without color! I have too many things that wouldn’t fit the scheme! Also, I’d hate to have to limit myself!
Those books look great, though. I need another one…must go shop now!
Happy Weekend,
Xo Heidi
Hi Heidi!
I think I’ve been embracing neutrals for so long, that I have nothing but neutrals. I do love color in the form of plants and flowers and I have lots of colorful linen napkins. But as a painter, I can see how your world is full of color!
Annie what a fun post with all these lovely homes. I hope you get to Honey Home when you’re there. It looks amazing. I just was on her account and love it and of course Carol Estes so much too!
Kim! I should have included your new office! I love it! The rattan shelf from Serena & Lily and the desk chair. I love the boucle! And…a view of the pool!
I am a huge fan of Jana and her husband, I discovered them over a year ago and have been trying to figure out where I can use a mushroom! Their house is amazing and that beautiful cigar cabinet in the eating area is a genius idea.
As for Montana, it is a pretty big place, but that just means that when you go for the wedding you spend a few extra days. I love White Fish, Glacier National Park, Bozeman, and ok, I love the entire state!
Elizabeth! I know…I want one of those mushrooms too, or may two! I’m thinking of my black stone fireplace. The wood against the black…I’m sure you have a spot too!
Yes, I do need to research where we are going in Montana! I’m from Colorado, and I have never been!
Annie this post is soooo good. You introduced me to some really amazing IG accounts that I was not aware of. Now you have sent me down a rabbit hole of creativity. I am off to explore them all Carol Estes in particular…amazing!!
Cindy, I’m shocked that you didn’t already follow Carol!
Thank you for your beautiful posts
Thank you, Monique, for stopping by and reading!
Annie,
The natural/neutral style holds great appeal. I really enjoyed the designers you shared with us. I always enjoy you talented group of designers sharing with us.
Thank you,
Karen
Thank you for reading Karen! I always love what you share too!