Inspiration: Decorating with Neutrals
We're all familiar with these three design must-dos, but Ivy does an especially nice job with them, creating a peaceful, light-filled space with neutrals without sacrificing visual appeal.
Texture. The interplay of textures in Ivy's rooms adds depth and interest. Wicker accessories, a shag rug, a driftwood wall hanging, the quirky rope-like bannister... all of these details work together to engage the senses, ensuring that her apartment is anything but blah.
Contrast. Ivy makes great use of black and other dark colors, creating focal points to punctuate the swathes of beige and white. We love the way she's used her chalkboard-painted kitchen cabinets as a space to create pattern rather than for shopping lists or doodles.
Accents. Using plants and accessories, Ivy adds pops of color for balance. In her reading nook at the bottom of the stairs, she's hung some colorful wallpaper samples (planning to frame them soon), since papering a whole wall is out of the question in her rental. Above the bed, a series of blue-tinted album covers substitutes for a headboard under a low-angled eave.
To see lots more photos of Ivy's flat, visit her Flickr page.
(Images: Ivy style33)
Comments (11)
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This is a beautiful place. Incredible taste.
To give people some historical perspective, Nora Ephron, the essayist, novelist, and film-maker, recalled how Lee Bailey, a very influential taste-maker in the 70s, persuaded her to go with neutrals in her apartment. Of course, Ephron had to toss everything she owned. Bailey counseled her that it's very tricky to go with neutrals.
Interesting slant back towards the 70s in recent trends. People think it was all bright orange and psychedelics. Nope. Neutrals were very popular at the time. Just hard to pull off, then as now.
view AustinSarah's profile
Totally agree with AustinSarah. Yes, the 70s also saw a lot of very tasteful interiors -- laidback neutrals, natural materials like wood. If you watch some of the 70s movies, you'll see interiors like that in Woody Allen movies, An Unmarried Woman, Modern Romance. The other trends -- lots and lots of ferns and also an unfortunately abuse of the brown color (a little brown goes a long way).
view lolax's profile
I absolutely love this idea. Can someone confirm where I can buy that red bench in pic 1 & 2? Its lovely
view Ms. Yan's profile
Yan, this is was she quoted on her flickr page for the bench "currently trying this Ikea self - table as a bench..."
view pepper.p's profile
I did a house tour with her yesterday:
http://rearrangeddesign.blogspot.com/2009/07/house-tour_20.html
view Ana's profile
Tastefully done! This is the perfect place to come home to after a hectic day at the office!
view ejensen's profile
Amazing place. So tastefully done.
view supriya's profile
Very s-o-o-t-h-i-n-g.
view scootergirl's profile
I agree that aesthetic personality can be added just as much through texture as color. Here's one of the many fun ideabooks on http://www.houzz.com that discuss whites and neutrals:
http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/288/list/Straight-Up-With-a-Twist--The-Classic-Color-White-
view txranchgirl's profile
normally when I see that many white walls, I think of a hospital, not the case with this room. Looks very soothing, spa like, and clean. I like it.
view absOsteele's profile
Dear Susie,
thank you so much for having me and our penthouse in your blog!It has been a wonderful experience and given the fact that I am fairly new to the world of blogs and Flickr, I have to say that it has been the warmest welcoming I 'd ever expected!
And to all who left and shared a remark, a nice word, thank you. It means a lot and brings a big smile in my heart and face.
view ivy style33's profile