Decorating with Neutrals

Don’t get me wrong, I love a colorful room. But, I have a major soft spot for decorating with neutrals. Grandmillennial and updated traditional decor tends to be all about color and pattern—it can be tough to find neutral decor inspiration. That’s where I come in!

If you’ve been reading for awhile, you already know I’m a huge fan of Mark D. Sikes. He’s incredibly talented—and his range isn’t limited to blue and white! He has done some phenomenal neutral rooms, too.

First up, let’s look at a room he decorated for the 2016 Southern Living Idea House.

Neutral Mark D. Sikes Southern Living Idea House Living Room — Mark D. Sikes

Isn’t it gorgeous? As an added bonus, this room is six years old, and still looks current. Here are some alternate views of the room.

Neutral Mark D. Sikes Southern Living Idea House Living Room With bird art prints — Mark D. Sikes

And some detail shots. I found these in an article featuring a fantastic interview Ballard Designs did with Mark about this room. Check it out here.

Neutral living room decor designed by Mark D. Sikes — Mark D. Sikes

Neutral living room decor by Mark D. Sikes — Mark D. Sikes

One thing you’ll notice is that while the design is neutral, it is far from boring. It features plenty of patterns, textures, and shades of neutrals.

Next up, let’s look at a few rooms from Mark D. Sikes home. I adore this living room—especially the chinoiserie panels. Like with the Southern Living room above, this neutral space is grounded by a few pieces of dark furniture and accessories.

Mark D. Sikes neutral decor — Mark D. Sikes

Here’s a close-up of the skirted table. Love the little touch of blue and white.

How gorgeous is this library? The few natural elements (bamboo shades, basket, and coral on the side table) keep it from feeling stuffy.

Want to see more of this stunning home? You can see more pictures here.

Alright, just to show I’m not playing favorites here—let’s look at a room not by Mark D. Sikes. This one is by James T. Farmer. While it does have some color in the art, rug, and bookshelves, the room is overall very neutral. Once again, you’ll notice a few darker pieces mixed in as well as plenty of pattern in the pillows.