Lydia Dawson
It leans heavily on monochromatic shades spread throughout a room, which either highlights architectural details or the homeowner's propensity for simplicity. Joyce Downing Pickens, founder of JDP Interiors in Los Angeles, understands that this perennial trend takes some finesse to master. Her aesthetic, which she describes as "a mix of tasteful modern and old world," exemplifies the best of what a neutral palette can achieve when done correctly.
With just a few shades—namely, cream, black, white, and brown—in a variety of textures, Pickens layers rooms with the details needed to make a neutral palette pop. Below, Pickens shares her secrets for building a neutral palette that feels comfortable, welcoming, and calm. It's important to infuse a lot of texture, contrast, and interesting furniture pieces into your space in order to keep your eye entertained.
I would say that all successful neutral palettes have a collection of vintage pieces, something woven, something leather, an interesting light fixture, linens or velvets, and weathered wood. A good leather or woven bar stool, for example, can elevate a space much more than a metal one, and a vintage breadboard or wood bowls can add texture.
Then choose a variety of details, like pillows or vases, in one of those two colors to highlight the rug and balance the room. I think a common mistake people make with neutral spaces is trying to infuse a color into a palette by only using accent pillows. Find ways to play with color subtly while staying true to a calm, neutral backdrop.
