Pick Your Palette
New neutrals are grown-up versions of pastel shades. They lack the breezy, in-your-face jollity of those ice cream tones, but instead offer a touch of sophistication.
New neutrals have lots of gray in them, which has the effect of knocking back the colors into faded versions reminiscent of retro design. This subdued shading is what makes them perfect as an alternative to the more earthy spectrum of traditional neutrals.
Layer Up
Combine the palest of greens, pinks and grays for a soft and subtle color mix in a bedroom. Include almost-not-there-at-all patterns and a mix of cottons, silks and velvets. These tones are casual, comforting, cocooning – and perfect for a bedroom.
Mellow with Mint
A gentle, muted shade of green can have a wonderful leveling effect on an interior design. Think pastel with added warmth and you’re there. Put it in an area of the house that’s busy and hardworking and it’s adept at calming everything down a little.
Reference a Trend or Two
New neutrals are subtle enough to be used alongside additional interiors trends. Don’t be afraid to bring in palms (in plant and print-motif form), textured macramé details and the wood/metal mix of industrial style. All combine stylishly with the hint-of-pink sofa shown here.
Play On Texture
Velvet upholstery brings out the best in a new neutral. It soaks up light, emphasising the soft duskiness of the palette across a matt surface. Double the effect with a pair of matching chairs and look for designs featuring shell-style backs, piping and blonde wood.
Pick a Mix
The new neutral palette is a great color set to mix and match. The reflective qualities of glassware show them off to good effect.
Tea rose and smoky blue-gray work wonders on this collection of wine glasses, but lilacs and lavenders, mint and peach can work well too. Display against a traditional neutral backdrop to showcase their subtle tones.
Bring in Breezy Blues
Nothing says Miami Beach Art Deco quite like powder blue. Keep this charming shade as a pale as you can for the best results. On garden furniture it can channel pure glamor. Team with glassware in new neutral pinks and peaches.
Try a Combination
Team soft, peachy leather with flat matt chamomile for a thoroughly modern decorating scheme that steers clear of white even on woodwork. Because these tones and finishes are harmonious and perfectly matched, the room feels peaceful, relaxing and calm.
Accessorize Away
New neutrals don’t have to be part of a decorating scheme or a permanent feature in a space. In this smart bathroom, a hit of barely pink on a couple of towels is transformative.
The color not only diffuses a rather cold decorating scheme of black, white and gray, but helps to bring out the honeyed warmth of the brass fittings and accessories.
Hint at Mint
Mint green can be vibrant in pistachio form so keep it much paler – and grayer – for use as a neutral. Teamed with gray furniture and white woodwork, the version of mint in this hallway is tentative enough to be subtle and green enough to be fresh.
