Neutral and Neoclassical

You know how a lot of people are scared to have color in their homes? Not me. I love color, especially rich, vibrant hues. And prints and patterns? Yes, I feel confident in mixing them too. But when I start to think about neutral palettes, well, let's just say that I don't have the same self-assuredness as I do with color. Many people say neutral colors and tones are the easiest to work with, but I'm not quite so sure. You have to know what you're doing because otherwise the result can be dull, lifeless, and boring. And perhaps this is why my tear-sheet files contain only a few homes with neutral color schemes.

One designer who is quite adept at executing a chic and warm neutral room is J. Randall Powers. I just love his project that is featured in the August issue of House Beautiful. I won't spoil the article for you, but the images above are just a few of the many gorgeous rooms in this Powers designed Houston home. While I was reading the article, it finally dawned on me that the neutral homes that appeal to me the most are those with a Neoclassical feel. It's not really the contemporary, neutral rooms that strike my fancy but rather the homes where the past is very much alive and well and serving up doses of inspiration.

The Powers article made me think of Bill Blass' home- one in which a neutral palette seemed to be chosen to better display his fine collection of antiques and objects. In fact, Powers' Houston clients chose him because they felt his work resembled that of Blass. The Blass home has long been inspiration to many so it really should be included in a post on neutral color schemes. Don't you agree?









(Images of the Powers' project from the August issue of House Beautiful; photographer Luca Trovato. Images of Bill Blass' home from House & Garden's Best in Decoration.)