In anticipation of the 2013 DC Design House, I was perusing photos of last year's show house, and rediscovered the room of a favorite DC designer, Marika Meyer. Meyer is a master at creating soothing, neutral rooms that are anything but boring.
While designers are often accused of going over the top to show off an array of tricks and trends, Meyer's rooms always remind me of the role "designer details" can play in subtly elevating a room.
A few details that brought life to her limited neutral color palette:
- Unexpected contrast details like adding patterned fabric to the back of a chair or the back of a bookcase, or a band of trim to the bottom of the upholstery (as on the wing chair) highlights sculptural shapes and breaks up solids without calling too much attention.
- Mix patterns in the same color family. The subtle patterns on the drapes and rugs, in tones that pick up the wall color, give the eye something to grasp without overpowering the room.
- Layering a patterned rug over a solid one creates warmth and adds texture.
- Mix furniture styles and shapes. While each piece of furniture could be described as curvy, the variety creates a conversation between the pieces which helps to keep the room from feeling flat.
- Carry the accent color. The pops of deep blue move the eye around the room, infusing the greige with a sophisticated pop in every corner.
To learn more about Marika Meyer, visit her website.
(Images: Leah Moss)
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Excellent tips. I'm experimenting with how to pull it off. Sometimes it's harder than it looks.
It should be mentioned that the large round table is probably doing double duty. As a place for art books & display when not used for dining. Pull up all the chairs in the room even when they are different. It makes it more intimate & eclectic. Very soothing room, yet it pops.
I enjoy the illusion of depth added to the space by incorporating that pattern on the built in shelving unit. Not only does it add character, but even for such a close up photo it draws your eyes past the foreground.
I'm a little bummed out that foot stool was neglected. Its color would have slightly broken up the monotony.
Definitely could done with a fewer of the derivative accent pieces on all that shelf space. Also, that beautiful light shining in should add life to the color in the room, not numb it. Books are a good medium, but here they are thrown on the bottom shelf and lost in the sea of creams.
Lovely room but not really my cup of tea.
I'm in love with this room! Not all of us have tons of books that need to be displayed so putting them on the bottom shelves doesn't bother me. I love how the shelving looks very designer but pulls you in. I so want to try the rug over the carpet. I hate my carpet but I can't seem to find reasonably priced large rugs that are subtle like this one. Also in love with the draperies.
This is what I've been trying to figure out in my bedroom. It's all creamy neutrals and beige/tan walls, but it feels totally bland and blah. Her website gives me a few ideas...
PGF, me too!
I keep buying stuff to take home and try and then returning it because it's just so hard to get it juuust right. And it does need to be just right or it looks cluttery and wrong, sometimes.
Good luck to both of us. :)
JUST DO IT!
I love this room. I also have a room that has to work for many functions. I'm in the painting stage and Iwas thinking of stenciling a Trellis pattern on my back wall in warm/cool greys, thanks for showing me a glimpse of my idea. Since every one I've tried to explain my vision to was like. "HUH"???
I agree the pop of blue really helps break up the neutrals. Love the back of the book case.
I like this beautiful setting and house decoration. Very good
http://www.irabwah.com/
Love the pop of blue in the area rug. Beautiful room. Very calm and relaxing.
I do love this room as well. The one thing that bothers me, however, is the pattern that's lining the back of the bookcase. To me, it's introducing one pattern too many, and they're all competing with each other. Maybe if the fabric for the pillows or even if that same shade of blue that's in the rug were used for the bookcase it would be less distracting and look more cohesive than the brown trellis pattern.