Orange is the new black, 40 is the new 20 and, in today’s post, we’ll discuss how taupe is poised to be the new gray. Gray has been the go to color for the past few years. From walls to furniture, gray is everywhere and as a soft and neutral color it’s easy to see why. But can too much of a good thing become an indicator that a trend is on it’s way out?
When something becomes so popular that you see it everywhere, many people start to look for alternative options. With many people still wanting a warmer neutral color, paint manufacturer Sherwin Williams named “Poised Taupe” its 2017 color of the year.
Here’s What Sherwin Williams had to say about their 2017 Color Pick
“Sherwin-Williams doesn’t usually like to play color favorites, but in this case we can’t resist. The color we anticipate defining 2017 is Poised Taupe SW 6039. Here’s why: This timeless neutral is modern, classic and a beautiful balance of warm and cool.The 2016 industry shows revealed a surprising transition from grey to taupe. Both contract and consumer color and products have been focused on grey as the key neutral — although grey is still important, we have seen a significant shift in materials and finish color to warmer expressions of neutral. “
I recently toured the new luxury townhouse project of 28 Bridge in Berwyn. I told my friend and listing agent, Alex Coates, of Keller Williams Realty that I was happy to see the builder had chosen a range of warm neutrals for the wall colors in the model home. We’ve seen shades of gray throughout new construction over the past few years and it’s always refreshing to see something a little different.
28 Bridge, A 9 Unit Luxury Townhouse project in Berwyn. Prices start in the mid 500’s. Click image for more information.
The color that they choose for the office in their model, is about as good as it gets when it comes to a warm neutral. I love how the color really pops off the white trim. In the photo above you can see how taupe is a great color option as it compliments both gray and brown accents.
Realtor Magazine says we should “Expect more taupe on exteriors as it blends well with roofs, doors, window frames and surrounding landscapes but it’s also sure to show up on walls, ceilings, kitchen cabinets, furnishing and moldings within the home.”
I’ve been spotting more warmer tones on kitchen cabinets too. Here is a sneak peek of a kitchen in Ardmore, designed by JGMG Designs which will be featured on the blog later this month.
There are so many things about this kitchen that I love. From the cabinets to the art, this kitchen stands apart from most kitchens that we are seeing today. If you look closely, you may even notice the shiplap on the wall. This is another hot trend right now driven by the super popular HGTV duo of Fixer Upper. Joanna Gaines says that she likes to use shiplap due to the texture that it adds to a room. For all those dealing with dated wood paneled walls, maybe now is the time to just paint them a nice crisp white or taupe.
But don’t get too caught up with what’s popular right now. Make choices for your home based on what you love. It’s great when you find yourself liking a trend, but consider using everything in moderation. When you use popular elements throughout an entire home, you run the risk of time stamping your home.
No matter if you’re a designer or just a homeowner wanting to create a home that you love, I think it’s important to remember that the selections that we make today, may one day be outdated. Interior style is like fashion, always changing, always evolving. What’s in today may be out tomorrow. As much as I love something today, one day I can imagine wanting to change it.
This is another reason why I believe it’s important to take your time with your home. Steady improvements overtime will allow your home to change as your own style and tastes change, which will keep you loving your home longer.
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