While we all love to look at beautiful, inspiring, colorful rooms, the feedback we get most is that y’all want to live in a calm, neutral home. And because we want to both introduce you to new ideas, styles, etc., we also want to help you get the home you want. So when I was sent this beautiful home, designed by Sam Donnelly of Mercantile & Merchant, I thought it was a perfect opportunity to talk about great ideas to make a neutral home feel warm and inviting. Let’s dive right on in.
Wall Paint | White Tile | Pendants | Vase (similar) | Stools
Starting with the heart of the home…the kitchen. There are a few things happening here that I want to point out:
- Mix of white and gray paint colors
- Mix of different countertop stones
- Accent tile in places that make sense with the architecture
- A balance of dark accents
Starting with the choice to have bright white walls and ceiling, then accenting with a very light gray for the doors, and finally a warmer white for the cabinets, instantly makes this space feel very intentional. It’s a very quiet visual texture, which is the goal of most neutral-toned homes. But where the texture is less quiet is in the wood, stone, and tile. I really love the choice to do a light/warm wood island. It immediately grabs your attention but isn’t so bold that you don’t notice anything else. I also like that it’s a different tone than the floors. Next, the countertops being different stones is another very simple way to make your kitchen feel special to you. This Black Belvedere Quartzite really speaks to the counterstools, the dark colored pantry on the back wall, and of course, the hardware. And while we aren’t the biggest supporters of random accent walls, when it’s an architectural statement like a nook, it’s a great option. Zellige tile, in particular, is handmade, so it’s textured, varied, and has such a pretty sheen to bounce light around.
Similar to Em’s kitchen, Sam decided to paint the pantry a dark color, which I love. It’s still a neutral color, but it gives that unexpected depth to the overall kitchen design. In a mostly light, neutral home, you still want to find those moments to add something that’s a bit of a surprise, but still feels seamless with the whole design. Small rooms like pantries and powder rooms are really perfect for that.
Pendants | Vase (similar) | Stools | Island Stone – Black Belvedere Quartzite
The cabinet wall is also covered in the same tile, which balances out the range wall. In an open concept space, you have to be really specific about where you place your tile. This wall is essentially another nook, so it has a natural start and end point on every side. Side note, I really love the mix of rugs in this shot. One is heavily textured but neutral, and the other has a great pattern and gives the space a pop of color. Also note the scale of those awesome pendants! I’ll scream it from the rooftops any chance I get. Scale is so important. Had these pendants been smaller, they would have looked fine. But since they are large, it feels like someone really thought about the design. Like a pro did it (which a pro did:)). Also, mixing in that bronze with the black hardware adds a nice warmth.
Counter Stone – Michaelangelo Dolomite Quartzite
I just think this is a beautiful shot that captures the details of so many of this kitchen’s elements. Another thing to think about if you are custom designing your cabinetry is different types of drawers. Emily is HUGE about really mapping out all of your drawers and cabinets to make sure everything has a place, but mixing up the types (i.e., the 3 stacked square drawers, next to the 2 rectangular drawers, followed by the undersink cabinets) looks awesome when done right. It looks extremely thought-out.
Faucet
I love the choice of these knobs. Almost midcentury modern, while still having a traditional bent. If you need a lot of hardware but want a more modern traditional kitchen, I wouldn’t go too “specific” because visually it might be too overwhelming, but something like this is perfect.
Stools | Sectional | Pendant (similar) | Dining Chairs (similar)
Moving to the living space off the kitchen. I love the choice to make sure the light wood accents are carried throughout the room. You know I love a slender wall niche, so that detail made my eyes and my heart very happy. Adding simple but special (I had to say it) details like that takes a more minimalist room to the next level. And as with any style (at least in our opinion), vintage is the quickest way to ensure your home feels unique and soulful. I believe that the dining table is vintage, the rug is minimally vintage-inspired (but soft and beautiful nonetheless), and that little stool is a special piece. They are giving personality! Cute pets are an added bonus:)
Speaking of vintage, this entry is filled with it. Another really important thing to remember in neutral spaces is the power of shape. The curves of the bench’s arms, as well as the coat rack, add so much while not being overly colorful and/or patterned. I really love the mix of flooring materials here, too. From the moment you walk in, you’re welcomed with a lot of texture.
Wall Paint | Double Arm Pendant | Dining Table | Dining Chairs (similar) | Sconces
Does anyone recognize that dining table?? It’s the same one Emily has in her sunroom. It’s also gorgeous here, and fun to see it with different chairs. The mix of styles makes this setup so much more interesting and fun (but still neutral). Then you have a little pop of color with the sage green sideboard and the ginger colored shades on the pendant. It’s a good idea to choose colors that mix up the whites and woods, but can still be naturally found in nature. That will keep the overall softness and neutrality intact.
And before we move on, I like that the designer took the opportunity to add an accent wall that, again, is a standalone architectural feature. The paneling is perfect for the style of this home and really adds that designer’s touch.
Wallpaper | Sconce (similar) | Stash Jar | Ceramic Tall Vase (similar)
This is a reminder to HAVE FUN with your powder room, even if the rest of your home is very neutral. It’s such a cool oppurtunity to have an unexpected design moment. And how fun is that turquoise sconce??
Wall Paint | Bookcase (similar) | Pendant | Sofa | Rug | Leather Chairs (similar) | Ottoman (similar)
Here’s the living room. It’s full of texture, varying styles, and yet it all works together. The curved arm of the sofa talks to the curves on the leather chairs. Then the color of the leather helps to ground the space with the modern coffee table and traditional large cabinet. That beautiful pendant really draws your eye up with all of that movement, and no neutral home’s living room is complete without a large tree:) You just want to make sure the colors and tones are evenly distributed. It’s more of a general vibe when you look at the room or are playing with a computer program. Trust your gut. It’s not meant to be so scientific and exact.
Pendant | Sofa | Rug | Leather Chairs (similar) | Ottoman (similar)
They moved things around for this shot, but it’s just as homey and inviting. Calm and neutral doesn’t have to mean stark and lifeless. This is proof of that.
Wall Color | Nightstands | Bed (similar) | Pink Chair (similar)
Welcome to the primary suite. First off, I love this canopy bed and those incredibly fun table lamps on the nightstands. That woven ceiling light also adds so much warmth! Now, I know I spent the first part of this post knocking accent walls that aren’t architecturally specific, but since this wood wall doesn’t contrast the other walls too heavily and it’s soft in tone, in general. I think it’s a nice addition.
Wall Paint | Sconce | Mirror | Faucets
A bathroom any of us would be lucky to have. But in terms of design elements, I love the mix of the brick floor tiles and the Zellige wall tile. Both seem to have similar shapes, but the color, sheen, and tone variation feel so special together. Then, with the addition of the warm, natural cream countertop, it’s so exciting to the eye! So mix those stones and tiles, people. However, to avoid the space looking too cold, that gorgeous warm-toned wood vanity, sconces, and rug really help to contrast. This is a very neutral spa-like bathroom, but done in such a textured and not boring way.
Sconce | Mirror | Faucets | Stash Jar
Love these drawer fronts too.
Wallpaper (similar) | Faucet | Peg Rail (similar)
A quiet neutral wallpaper is always going to give you a more interesting style without overwhelming the space. This one is no different! Em wrote about her quiet, neutral wallpaper journey here!
Faucet | Sconce
What I LOVE about this bathroom is the speckled detail of the wall tile and how those dark specks speak to the gray and black in the countertop stone. They both have so much movement and are neutral, but together look really fresh. I’m also in love with that sconce. Interesting lighting will always make a home feel special and more unique. To me, they are like art and worth investing in. But that’s just my two cents:)
Outdoor Lounge Chairs
Here’s the backyard looking into the kitchen/living area. It was too pretty not to show, and now I want summer here asap.
Neutral homes, when the right materials and decor are used, are so special and calming to be and live in…just like this one. Hope this little tour was helpful and gave you ideas for your home, neutral or not.
Love you, mean it.
*Design by Sam Donnelly of Mercantile & Merchant
**Photos by Joe Schmelzer of Treasurebite Studios
