I'll get right to the point. Despite what you may have heard, beige is not neutral.
In fact, there are only 3 neutral colors: Black, White, and Gray.
In fact, there are only 3 neutral colors: Black, White, and Gray.
Why? Because black is presence of all color, white is the absence of all color, and together they make gray. In theory, this is what makes them compatible with all of the other colors that exist. Hence the term, neutral.
Of course there are cool whites, warm grays, and blue-blacks. But that's what happens when you add COLOR to neutrals...they become COLORS. At that point, they are no longer "technically" neutral, and fall into a category of colors I like to refer to as the flexibles. This is the same ambiguous gang that colors like beige, ivory, and many shades of taupe like to run with.
I want to make this clarification between neutral and flexible because in interior design, the coordination of colors is often omni-important. While beige is a flexible color, it's still a COLOR. Taupe [widely thought of as a warm, earthy gray] is open to interpretation because depending on it's complicated make-up, it can have undertones of violet, green, or gold.
Of course there are cool whites, warm grays, and blue-blacks. But that's what happens when you add COLOR to neutrals...they become COLORS. At that point, they are no longer "technically" neutral, and fall into a category of colors I like to refer to as the flexibles. This is the same ambiguous gang that colors like beige, ivory, and many shades of taupe like to run with.
I want to make this clarification between neutral and flexible because in interior design, the coordination of colors is often omni-important. While beige is a flexible color, it's still a COLOR. Taupe [widely thought of as a warm, earthy gray] is open to interpretation because depending on it's complicated make-up, it can have undertones of violet, green, or gold.
The TRUE neutrals are not open to interpretation.
So if your using flexible colors in your project, make sure you understand them. Does your beige have more gold, brown, or green in it? Is that not-quite-white a little yellowish, or pinkish?
So if your using flexible colors in your project, make sure you understand them. Does your beige have more gold, brown, or green in it? Is that not-quite-white a little yellowish, or pinkish?
THE BEAUTY OF NEUTRALS
Just because your base is neutral, does not mean you're boring...
- Black, white and gray are the base-point for some of the most sophisticated of design projects. Black rooms can be oh-so-chic! Every color looks even more vibrant and beautiful! All colors "POP" against neutrals.
- Neutrals may come and go as design trends, HOWEVER they never go out of style!
- Shabby Chic? Traditionalist? Modernist? Neutrals transcend all genres of design!
I hope that this once and for all clears up any gray matter on the subject of neutrals. This is what will more than likely be a 3 or 4 part series I'm calling COLOR 101...up next: Dark & Lovely!
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