lifting a neutral palette

by Sharon Santoni
[blank] I love to live in  a neutral palette.  It is calm, easy on the eye, and allows for swings and changes with the seasons.[blank]
As Autumn approaches we feel the need for a little more colour – a shot of warmth as the summer moves on.
I found these pictures on Pinterest, and I love the way their neutral palette is lifted every so slightly and gently by the simple presence of a few flowers.
The whole feel of a room can be changed with a bouquet of flowers.  Pink makes it more cheerful, blue more calm and the autumn russets and burnt oranges just speak of comfort.[blank]
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[blank]How about you?  Do you always have fresh flowers in your home, or do you  find your pops of colour elsewhere?[blank]
[blank]The week has been super busy here, which means the blog has been slow!  This weekend I’ll be catching up on mails and bringing you pictures of Normandy as the summer fades.[blank]
Thank you for reading me, have a lovely weekend.[blank]
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23 comments

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) September 20, 2013 - 4:44 pm

Oh my such gorgeous spaces and I love all the accessories. Hugs, Marty

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Ms Lemon of Make Mine Lemon September 20, 2013 - 4:45 pm

This is just gorgeous. When I was younger I would have put color in furniture, but now I love the neutrals and if I need some color flowers or a pillow or two does it for me.

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hostess of the humble bungalow September 20, 2013 - 5:55 pm

I love a neutral palette and think it so very French.
Jeanne D'Arc magazine has oodles of lovely images like these…
I find that I am drawn more and more to the crispness of this style.

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Jennifer Clark September 20, 2013 - 6:07 pm

I *adore* the grey velvet sofa in the first photo! Some after the kids are grown, someday…..

I try to have fresh flowers on my bedside table and on the coffee table in the living room. Usually from my garden, so lately it's been hit-or-miss as the very hot weather here has fried my poor roses. I got a copy of "Flower Recipes" and have been playing with some more creative arrangements; great fun! My bouquets are generally small. My cutting garden is still in it's infancy. More flowers!!!

Thanks for the photos! I love neutrals!

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Lorrie September 20, 2013 - 6:58 pm

Gorgeous inspiration photos. I like having fresh flowers to add color, and a few pillows. Neutral palettes are lovely.

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Carmen Whitehead September 20, 2013 - 7:08 pm

Loving all the pictures! I agree, a neutral palette is so much easier to work with. TFS!

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Cathi September 20, 2013 - 7:28 pm

Beautiful photos, all of them! xxoo

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Anonymous September 20, 2013 - 7:28 pm

Neutrals definitely need a lift and flowers, pillows, a table cloth, all do it for me. It is overcast this morning on the U.S. west coast and it definitely feels like autumn in the air. Time for fall foliage and pumpkins here! (My summer shell wreath is still on my front door, sigh.)
Marisol

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Gina September 20, 2013 - 9:12 pm

Wonderful examples of just the right touch and color in your chosen rooms Sharon. I always, always have flowers in my house, mostly those from my own garden or greenhouse. I find that my eye always goes to the flowers first when I look at beautiful interiors.

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Roxane September 20, 2013 - 11:34 pm

Since I totally shocked my perennials by transplanting all of them when I redesigned my front entry garden, the flowers have been few and far between. I do love fresh flowers, I buy them at the market. There is usually a good selection….but once they're in that vase I have a tendency to forget to take care of them….sigh. I've learned that a good silk flower arrangement does the best in my home, lol

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jackie September 21, 2013 - 1:55 am

I love fresh flowers, but since I work full time I keep them on my desk at work. I buy a fresh bouquet each week and supplement it with flowers from my garden. A little something I do for myself because I deserve it. Love your blog.

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La Vie Quotidienne September 21, 2013 - 1:57 am

Such lovely rooms…each one is a delight.

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Kathy September 21, 2013 - 6:24 am

Beautiful and warm-love the stove, iron tables -everything

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Colleen Taylor September 21, 2013 - 6:28 am

Definitely easy on the eyes Sharon. I love the neutrals, so soothing & peaceful. Beautiful photos!

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Anonymous September 21, 2013 - 7:19 am

Hi Sharon I love all the rooms you have featured, yes I am a neutral girl was never brave to paint the walls in anything too colourful. Sometimes there is flowers for that splash of colour or I might use candles and of course if all else fails there are table runners, cushions and throws. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Regards Esther from Sydney. PS thank you for sharing.

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PamLuvsPink September 21, 2013 - 7:59 am

Hi Sharon!!!

I love all these rooms!!!

I love when a room is done in these neutral colors and then you get
a splash of color with flowers.

Have a great weekend!!!

Pam
xox

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PamLuvsPink September 21, 2013 - 8:03 am

Hi Sharon!!!

I love these neutral colored rooms!!!!!

As you said the colors are very calming, but, I just love how
flowers add that splash of color!!!

Have a great weekend Sharon!!!!

Pam
xox

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martinealison September 21, 2013 - 8:30 am

Une belle incitation au calme… Bisous et bon weekend vous aussi.

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Anonymous September 21, 2013 - 10:21 am

As I have dominant colours in the two bedrooms of the cottage I generally pick some herbs in my garden for welcoming the guests.Green-yellow sage,oregano has lilac, majoram has cream flowers and all of them spread wonderful odour in the rooms.I love neutral but apply them in form of small buquets.
Love from the late summer garden in the Great Hungarian Plain full of cranes having a rest on their way to the South.Dorka http://www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu

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French Dreaming September 21, 2013 - 3:30 pm

These pictures did absolutely make your point of how fresh flowers can draw the subtle colors from a neutral room into focus. They were all beautiful rooms. Thank you for sharing and know that I truly enjoy your posts everyday!

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Lily September 22, 2013 - 3:49 pm

These rooms are gorgeous and so inspiring. They force you to relax in them. Hopefully I can convince the DH to use lighter neutrals instead of darker neutrals for the sun room!

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Nib's End September 23, 2013 - 5:53 am

I simply think and breathe better with a neutral palette, but the color I can't live without is green. Since I fail miserably at growing the kind of flowers I can cut to bring inside, I bring in the greens of shrubs and trees…

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malik aayan September 25, 2013 - 9:23 am

Sach a cute room, beautiful photos and i love all the accessories.Oak Bunk Beds

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