Decorate with the new neutrals this fall

A warm neutral paint colour like Benjamin Moore's Hidden Cove combines perfectly with cool gray neutral accessories in this living room

(NC) Classic neutrals are a hit with interior designers as the seasons change. For a fresh look that brings the home to life, designers are re-interpreting how to use them for the most appeal. Sharon Grech, a colour and design expert at Benjamin Moore, offers her easy tips on the best ways to combine neutrals for a modern look on this classic palette:

Combine Different Shades

Choose one neutral colour, whether it is a cool grey, a creamy white or a warm taupe, and combine several shades and tints of the colour to add visual interest, texture and depth to a room. Pictured here, the living room incorporates various values of gray ranging from light to dark. Accessories such as cozy throws or pillows in various textures like cable knits and stripes add another layer of depth.

Design Mixology

Don't be afraid to combine warm and cool neutrals. There is a definite design trend that allows for this combination, giving the space a rich complexity. Illustrated in the photo is a warm neutral paint colour called Hidden Cove and it is the perfect match to Chateau on the baseboard trim. Steely gray in the soft furnishings and warm tones in the wood pair well, giving the space a well curated, lived in look. Grech says that both colours are from the Colour Stories collection (by Benjamin Moore) and are available exclusively in Aura premium quality paint.

Pops of Colour

As the weather cools, Canadians naturally want to bring in the rich colours of the season into the home. A neutral space is the perfect canvas to highlight fall's colour palette. When entertaining guests for holiday dinners, beautiful accessories this season, like hot metals in copper and gold become the focal point against a neutral backdrop. Finish the look with chic white dishware for a modern feel.

Painted Furniture

The sky is the limit when it comes to choosing what furniture to refresh with paint. A dresser can be repurposed in the front entrance to store keys, mail and other odds and ends. An up-cycled cabinet for the living room looks beautiful when topped with picture frames and vases of different shapes to keep the look interesting. Designers often choose the Benjamin Moore colour Cloud White as the perfect neutral for painting furniture. It's slightly toned which makes it flattering in nearly any design situation. “When it comes to application, our Advance paint is easy to apply and dries to a hard, durable surface for years of beautiful wear,” says Grech. “A satin sheen is perfect for more traditional pieces while a high-gloss finish feels more sleek and modern.”

More information about the reinvigoration of neutrals is available online at www.BenjaminMoore.ca.

Like A Hawke, 

Susan 

Please check out my current listings and together we'll discover your real estate needs. If you know anyone buying or selling I'd love to help them! 

You can follow me on Twitter: @susanhawkesells Instagram: @susanhawke Pinterest: @SusanHawke Facebook Page: Susan Hawke Remax Sales Representative Sault Ste. Marie Ontario Canada