Bold Styling With Safe Neutrals (and Target)

My love for color is only matched by my love for style. And sometimes you don’t need a lot of color to have a LOT of style – as displayed beautifully in this room. Welcome to the last fall Target style post (with video) that showcases how being safe with neutrals can still be pretty darn bold.

The room was not exactly hideous when we started, but it was bare and not exactly inviting. We actually painted that fireplace black before the shoot to add the drama, and then brought in the major pieces to show how a room can go from basic to layered and lived-in in a matter of accessories.

When I first saw the product there seemed to be a real black, white and neutral story popping out. Neutrals are always popular, but right now (probably because it’s fall) I think that they are outshining color a bit and rooms like this that are just as full and exciting as colorful rooms, and are really attractive to me right now.

Besides, all of these things can be mixed with virtually ANY color because they are neutral. You just made your life easier because season after season you can mix these together, or with other colors to reinvent your home over and over and over. Oh and I will, and do.

There are some tips and tricks to mixing neutrals together to make sure that it feels as happy as a colorful room.

Tip #1: Pattern is your friend – but texture is your lover. Now remember from this post that the more contrast you have in color, pattern, style and texture the more energy you project into the room. When working with neutrals you start a little safer because you have less color, sure, but black and white are high contrast so if you want to add a lot of energy then add some patterns, but if you want it to be more mellow then stick to adding texture instead of pattern. We added some pattern and lots of texture – in fact the pattern that we added was in the textiles.

The rug is a heavy dose of pattern, and we brought in a few more patterns on the pillows and artwork, but we stopped there – no patterned curtains or wallpaper to overwhelm the room.

Tip #2: Have both soft and hard furniture. I love all upholstered furniture, sure, because it’s VERY cozy, but you’ll see in this space how the chairs contrast really nicely with the sofa and create dimension, texture and edge.

 

Tip #3: Layer on the love. When you are playing it safer with neutrals bring in personal pieces to make sure that it feels like a home, and not a staged real estate house.

Good options are always artwork, books and of course pictures of Charlie Henderson. Feel free to download his photo for your perfectly styled shelves…if you are a total weirdo.

Let’s talk about those art shelves, real quick. Art shelves are the new gallery wall, folks. While I still love a really good gallery wall, the shelves add a bit of structure and provide more of a foolproof way to add objects and smaller pieces while still making it look pulled together and like one big piece. Just vary the heights, sizes and orientations of the pieces. If you want to get cute and crazy like we did, make some plaid mats out of wrapping paper (not sure if you have noticed, but Target is having an entirely wonderful plaid moment so this was implemented to carry that theme throughout).

Art shelves also allow for your pretty objects and some flowers, which helps shake up all the rectangular lines.

Now those shelves: The perfect combination of books, objects, personal items (framed photos and books) and life (plants). Some of the shelves aren’t even perfectly balanced or filled out properly but it works because they are all in a consistent color palette that makes it all feel intentional.

Tip #4: Get more eclectic with your artwork. I know it’s easier said than done because good artwork is extremely hard to find, but when you are working with all neutrals it’s easy to have it look/feel like a generic home, and artwork is the FASTEST way to make it look interesting. Here you can vary a bit from your color palette (but just a bit, don’t go nuts unless you are willing to bring those colors to other places in the room).

Tip #5: Feel free to mix metals. The trick to doing that is just peppering it around the room evenly so that it looks intentional and thought out. If you have all silver pieces and then just one brass piece it will look accidental and not so good. Copper, rose gold, brass, gold and silver can all be friends. More like an all girls band – they play, compete, perform and can knock ’em dead when done right.

Tip #6: Plants and flowers bring neutral rooms to life. They are little colorful sculptures that breathe air into any space, especially those on the safer, more neutral side (P.S. that black and white vase is one of my favorites of the whole collection and I suggest you buy it before they are sold out).

Now for your viewing pleasure, a vignette built right before your eyes:

This room is pretty much stunning, if I do say so myself. The foundational pieces are simple and good, and those accessories, textiles, art, personal items and plants/flowers make it a room that I absolutely want to be in.

1. Bookcase | 2. Silver Wing Dishes | 3. Frame | 4. Ram Head | 5. Watercolor Print | 6. Wood + Ceramic Vase | 7. Dove Taper Holder | 8. Task Lamp | 9. Quail Taper Holder | 10. Gold Vase | 11. Gazelle Head | 12. Triangle Pillow | 13. Upholstered Ottoman | 14. Taper Candle Holder | 15. Copper + Marble Table | 16. Diamond Pillow | 17. Faceted Candle Holder | 18. Gold Pillow | 19. Globe | 20. Black Candelabra | 21. Duck Trinket Dish | 22. Felt Basket | 23. Sofa | 24. 3 Globe Lamp | 25. Gold Sea Urchin | 26. Stoneware Vase | 27. Tray | 28. Coffee Table | 29. Area Rug | 30. Copper Candle Holder | 31. Plaid Table Lamp | 32. Ottoman | 33. Silver Votive | 34. Wood + Leather Chair | 35. Striped Throw | 36. Gold Knot Object | 37. Hexagon Accent Table | 38. Basket

All artwork except the two shown on the product board are one of a kind, purchased or rented for the shoot.

Want more Target Fall Style? Check out these posts: Let’s Get Cozy | Gather Around

And for more Target Style from every season look here: Blue and White Sunroom | Take It Outside – Patio Makeover | How to Throw A Stress Free Outdoor Party | Patio Makeover | Charlie’s Outdoor Play Area

*Photos by Tessa Neustadt for Target. Production Design by Scot Horne. Hair and Makeup by Danielle Walch, Wardrobe by Jordan Rudd.

Want more styling tips? BUY MY BOOK 🙂

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