This house has been empty for a long time. It’s for sale now. But notice that there’s something warm and welcoming about it?
That’s color. In this case, the warm honey and gold of natural wood.
How about this one? It’s a really cute little getaway cabin that makes the most of color.
Now look at just about every upscale home you can find online. What’s almost always missing?
Color.
White has become the color of luxury, and just like everyone jumped on the Gray Train in home decor, now they’re crowding into the White Limo.
It photographs well. I agree. But to live that way? No, thank you.
Here’s my kitchen. Don’t judge me, please - this is how it really looks, not how it’s staged. It’s not perfect by any means, but what it’s got, and what I like, is color.
This is a theme in our house. Our living room walls are Sherwin Williams Curry. Even our white walls have a blush of pink - they’re Marshmallow.
It’s not for everyone and that’s fine. It’s okay if you like all white, too. But don’t be shamed into turning your spaces sterile.
Sean Scherer of Kabinett & Kammer (if you don’t know him, click the link and you’re welcome!) swears by color. He’s a little horrified by the demand for All White Everything.
Meg Lavalette of Lava Interiors is a bit more restrained, but color’s still part of her arsenal.
These are people who create ultra-high-end interiors.
And please, if you’re preparing your house for sale, don’t feel like you have to paint your world white to make it marketable. Neutrals are inoffensive, but you don’t want your home to be inoffensive. You want it to be wonderful. You want it to be adorable. You want it to be irresistible.
Don’t go over the top, but please don’t be afraid of color.