Nov 25, 2013

A New Neutral Guest Room

It's taken me a long time to figure out that I love living in neutral rooms. 

Don't get me wrong, I love color!

But I've found that living with a lot of color tends to  overwhelm my senses and actually tires me out, while neutral rooms seem to calm and soothe me. As I redecorate our home, I'm trying to create neutral backgrounds on which I can sprinkle bits of color here and there until I reach my color saturation point. 

It's been a fun learning process that's constantly evolving. I began in our new guest room where I'm experimenting for the first time with neutral layering and textures. Once I started getting more experience with different shades of beige, brown, and gray along with patterns and textures, it became easier. I've grown to love the subtlety of decorating with neutrals. 


I began with Benjamin Moore bone white satin paint on the walls, then anchored our queen size guest bed with a cozy warm white duvet, white pillow cases and sheets, and a white quilted bed skirt.



 I splurged on washed linen ruffled euro shams from Pottery Barn in a flax color, then I layered on pattern with an embroidered pillow from Pier One Imports and texture with faux fur and ruffled pillows, also from Pier One. 


 
 The turned wood lamp bases and printed lamp shades are from Target.


 I bought this snugly quilt on a different shopping trip and didn't even notice it's the same pattern as the lamp shade until I put it on the bed. The window panels are voile sheers that soften the view during the day with a privacy room darkening window shade under them for sleeping in late.


This maple dresser was a gift for our nursery when my first daughter was born twenty-seven years ago. I'm a bit torn over my plans for painting it white. Since I ran out of time to get it painted before my Thanksgiving guests arrive in a couple days, I'll have more time to think about it. What do you think? Should I paint it or leave it?  

I still don't have anything hanging on the walls. My old self wanted to run out and buy some vibrant colorful artwork, but the new neutral me is slowing down and taking my time to find (or make) just the right thing to add another interesting layer of pattern and texture. When I find it, you know I'll be sharing it with you!

I'm so glad you stopped by to see my new neutral guest room decor, and I'm so excited for my company to arrive and try it all out!

I'll be busy in the kitchen cooking and baking for the next few days now, so I'll wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving today. I hope you have a wonderful week and a very 

Happy Thanksgiving! 


29 comments:

  1. The textures and patterns you added Laurel speak well on how neutrals can be equally beautiful as colorful rooms! Great job as always! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

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  2. I'm so glad you put how I feel in words. My whole house has been changed to almost all neutrals. I changed all of my colored walls to a "boring beige" as some people call it, but I LOVE it. It truly does make me feel calmer.

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  3. We're moving and I want my new home to have all these neutral colors. I'm so in love with it. Great job!! :)

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  4. I think you could go ahead and paint the dresser. I think you will love the lines in a neutral just as you love the other neutrals in the room. I love the lamp and shade. So cute. What a comfy place to stay.

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  5. Your guest room is so pretty! Perfect timing.

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  6. You've done it perfectly ~ soothing neutral colors, but lots of lovely, wonderful textures. How cool that the lamp (which is to die for) and the quilt were a match!!

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  7. What a soft and relaxing room! Love the neutral color scheme. The textures and patterns give it so much interest. Your guests will be so comfortable here! ... Have fun cooking and Happy Thanksgiving!

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  8. It looks peaceful and restful and very very pretty :)

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  9. I'd paint the dresser. It will be the same cherished piece, just a little updated. love the way your room is going.

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  10. What a serene room! You really did neutral well! Love it!

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  11. Laurel, I love your new guest room! The neutral colors are so pretty. I love your texture pillows, linens, lamp, just everything!
    What a wonderful inviting room!! Thanks for sharing. Happy Thanksgiving!
    Hugs,
    Jody

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  12. I'm with you...i love the calmness and texture that neutrals provide. I love a hit of color here and there but it has to be able to be removed and brought back to the serene palette. Your layers are just gorgeous!

    ♥ NORTHERN COTTAGE http://www.NorthernCottage.net

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  13. Love love the room. Please don't paint the dresser! The maple patina is too pretty!

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  14. Laurel I really love the guest room, it so peaceful. Me personally I would pain the piece but that is me. Happy Thanksgiving!!

    Cynthia

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  15. I love neutral colors!! I've had to work hard at actually adding some color to my home. I love your guest bedroom! My bedroom is white, cream, and sage and so is our bathroom. They're such peaceful colors. I also think they take being photographed really well. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~ Jamie

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  16. Obhhhh pretty! I agree with you - I find too much color or pattern stresses me out. I love neutrals with splashes of color. I think I'd be very happy in this room!

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  17. Laurel, I love the room and the neutral colors. I have a few rooms in my house painted Bone White and it really seems to go well with everything. Those textures on the bed are gorgeous and you just can't beat Target for cute lamps! Happy Thanksgiving to you!
    -Shelley

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  18. I love your neutrals and especially the variety of textures. My guest room will be at the top of my list of things to tack in 2014. I'm pinning yours for inspiration.
    Eilis@My-heart-lives-here

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  19. This room looks so fabulous! I love the neutrals your guests will love it . I went through this sme revelation for myself a couple of years ago ... Only in reverse. I thought I needed to do away with the color and have grey white and beige ... I couldn't get it to work for me'. I like the look but need the color. It works here for you . Very pretty and you did a great job with it.

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  20. Such a lovely room! And I agree with you on what color can do sometimes....neutrals really calm the mind and seem to make me want to spend long hours in it.

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  21. Gorgeous bedroom, Laurel! The linens are beautiful! You did a beautiful job. Happy Thanksgiving!

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  22. Very calming, great choices, not sure about the dresser.

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  23. This is a beautiful room. I love the textures. I am going to go against the grain...I say leave the dresser as is, but add new knobs.

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  24. Hmm. I love the room. It's calming. You did a lovely job! Like you, I 'inject' colour with pillows and accessories, but I keep the palette neutral as a base, just with textures because it allows me to breathe. As for the dresser...here's my $.02. Painting furniture is all the rage. It's trendy. In Europe, it's always been trendy to some degree. But...paint isn't warm. It's paint. The dresser is a classic piece, and it's a nostalgic memory. You could paint it, but I wouldn't. I'd add a soft, neutral (tone-on-tone, embroidered maybe? in cream) runner over the top, some pretty accessories and leave it alone.

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  25. You created a very calming atmosphere in your guest bedroom. The linens are beautiful. I also nominated you for the Leibster award. Have a great weekend.
    BESA GM
    http://besimemuja.wordpress.com

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  26. I find that neutral colors are very calming and soothing too. Right now my colors choices are leaning towards cooler colors when they used to leans towards warmer colors. Love your color choices!

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  27. You are absolutely right about your guest room! I breathed a sigh of contentment when I saw it. I did the same thing in our master bedroom. I was determined to stay with whites and other neutral colors because I, too, absolutely believe it is so soothing. About the only major splash of color in our bedroom is my stained glass window.

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  28. You've created a serene, lovely guest room. Laurel. Love your take on neutrals. I'll be featuring this at the July Every Room In The House Party. Thanks for sharing. xxx~ Nancy

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