American model and media personality, Kendall Jenner is no stranger to impeccable style, which she carries with grace both on and off the runway. Still, it is her living room, with its cocooning neutral color palette, that has impressed us.
Nature’s dazzling colors are one of the biggest color trends in 2023, and experts predict that this will continue for 2024. Offering myriad warm hues that sit harmoniously together, decorating with neutrals is loved by designers for its ability to create relaxed, grounding spaces with enduring appeal.
Designed by Waldo Fernandez of Waldo Designs and the mother-and-son team of Kathleen and Tommy Clements of Clements Design, Kendall's living room has been crafted to imbue calm and serenity, and it certainly delivers on that promise.
As we become increasingly aware of the benefits that nature can have on wellbeing, industry experts have noticed a shift towards the use of earthy, nurturing tones in decorating. ‘We’ve seen that there is a greater desire to surround ourselves with comforting colors that are easy to scheme and provide tranquillity in our homes,’ says Ruth Mottershead, creative director at Little Greene. ‘This has been reflected in the increasing popularity of neutrals and earthier tones that have an inherent warmth.'
Interior design Henriette Von Stockhausen, creative director, of VSP Interiors, shares Kendall's penchant for decorating with brown and other warm neutrals.
‘For me, neutrals such as taupe are grounding wall colors. It’s important to remember that sometimes a classic interior is just the ticket: calm colors, gentle schemes, traditional furniture, and antiques – no pattern clashes, no huge color pops, just comfort and a quiet space to relax in.'
A dark neutral base will create a modern look while retaining classic elements. The trick is to turn up the texture to stop the space from feeling flat.
When decorating for warmth and comfort, color is a transformative tool, but be sure to introduce plenty of texture, too. The secret is layering – bringing visual interest through the combination of different fabrics, finishes, materials, and textures.
When it comes to soft furnishings, texture in interior design is your friend, so think about mixing materials like jute, velvet, and linen to add depth.’
'If I’ve got a calm color scheme, then I focus on texture to bring different layers of interest,' says interior designer, Tamsin Johson. 'You have to think about how to introduce variations and things that feel different to the touch without just focusing on color, and often that creates a more interesting scheme.'
Natural textures, whether they are stone, wood, or linen, can help to anchor a neutral color scheme. It means that the overall look doesn’t feel too contrived uptight or overly designed. They bring a laid-back quality that always works well.
