Today’s interior design trends steer us away from the cluttered, overly ornate spaces of the past toward a more refined and cohesive look. Not only does this design aesthetic offer a contemplative space to leave the world behind, but also provides a look that is easy to live in for years to come.

The monochromatic design aesthetic, or one color, may sound less than exciting, but it is both sophisticated and livable. To get this high-design look, choose a main neutral color that you love for your launching off point. Your designer can help you choose the best color for your space, but think about a livable neutral in the white, grey, or greige color family. For your base color begin by looking at paint or fabric swatches, then bringing home samples to see how the color works with the light in your room. Make sure to check it at different times of the day.

COLOR THEORY
Color theorist Josef Albers wrote decades ago that “color deceives continually”. For that reason, your designer will work with you to select the best color for your space and lighting to make certain your paint, wall coverings, window coverings and furnishings all work together. A color swatch often looks great in the swatch book, but can appear completely different when introduced in the room. You’ll want to remember that designing with a monochromatic palette does not have to mean your space has to be void of color. In fact, well placed pops of color stand out more and can set the tone for the entire space when used sparingly. Brighter or more intense colors work beautifully when juxtaposed against neutral upholstery and finishes.

WHITE & GREY AS NEUTRAL
A soft white or pale taupe is easy to work with and can set the tone for many aspects of your design. Layering a variety of these soft tones in a room provides a fresh look and takes the pressure off of everything matching perfectly. Taupes, grays and blues all look rich when paired with whites. Moving to light upholstery may seem impractical, but sweeping advances in technical fabrics have been happening over the last few years. For new upholstery In high traffic areas, take a look at Sunbrella and Crypton fabrics. Both clean up well after a spill and the color options are outstanding. Several years ago everyone was talking about the color gray and it was showing up everywhere. However, this trend may have been a little overdone and now there’s a move toward slightly warmer color palettes.

“Monochromatic Design, the use of one main color within a space, creates a cohesive look and a clean design. I generally decide on the base color and build different shades from that. I like to add black or white or pull tints or shades of the main color in to create depth.”
~ Jennifer Armstrong, Elevated Interiors

NATURAL ELEMENTS
Natural wood elements are a great addition to every home, but if your wood trim or accents are a yellowed or reddish wood base and case, it’s time to update. Think about painting tired trim with a color close to your wall color. Then add a window treatment in a natural fiber or subtle print for a pulled together look.

PATTERN & TEXTURE
Once you choose your basic color palette you can then start to gather fabric swatches for other items such as upholstery, carpet, tile and furniture ideas. Look for similar colors that have interesting textures and standout patterns. Variety is the spice of life and can make all of the difference when designing a room. To keep the monochromatic look going throughout your home, consider a tile backsplash or flooring in the same color family as your primary neutral. Using variation in tone, texture or finish provides extra appeal to the look and can become a unique point of interest.

Discovering the best design elements for your home can be both exciting and challenging. Park City is fortunate to have a great variety of locally owned and operated design businesses, along with experienced professionals happy to help with your next project.

VIAMountain Express Magazine Summer 2019
SOURCEPamela Beverly-Quigley
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