Beige Is Back: Designers Share 10 Beautiful Warm Paint Colors

As enthusiasm for cool grays has waned, warm neutrals have returned. See which beige and greige tones designers prefer

In recent years, the color gray soared in popularity while warm neutrals like beige got a bad rap. Beige, which often has been preceded by the word “boring,” deserves better, and it’s making a comeback. At recent design shows such as Maison & Objet, High Point Market and the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market, earthy and warm neutral tones like beige, khaki, tan and greige (a mix of warm gray and beige) were paired with trends such as nature-inspired looks and designs that promote wellness.

Designers have always known that the right shade of beige can embrace you like a warm and calming hug. Here, several of them share 10 of their favorite warm neutral paint colors, which you can see in the accompanying room photos.

There really couldn’t be a better paint name to kick off this story. Accessible Beige sounds so democratic — a beige for everyone.

“This has been a go-to for designers for the past five years or so,” says Bill Petkoski, owner of home-building company Cottage Home. “It’s soft, it goes with everything and it is the perfect shade of beige without being boring or blah.”

Drop Cloth, Farrow & Ball

“My favorite beige these days is Farrow & Ball’s Drop Cloth,” says interior designer Emily Griffin, who designed this cozy Toronto kitchen. “It’s a great neutral and pairs beautifully with rich colors like green, blue or magenta. It is a pretty clean and simple beige that resembles a painter’s drop cloth. We did the upper cabinets in this color as opposed to doing them white. The contrast is less severe and more interesting, in my opinion.”

To complement the cabinet color, Griffin used a creamy off-white on the walls: Farrow & Ball’s Pointing.

Kilim Beige, Sherwin-Williams

Trends come and go, but St. Louis interior designer Karen Korn’s love for Sherwin-Williams’ Kilim Beige has never waned. “It is a soft neutral with earthy tendencies,” she says. “I believe gray is on the way out and we are all craving more steady and grounding colors.”

She finds that the warm neutral works well with a wide range of colors. “Kilim Beige is the perfect companion moving into the future … instead of pairing it with the reds and greens of the past, we can pair it with the blues and greens that we are seeing today, so it feels fresh and current.”

Pashmina, Benjamin Moore

This modern home designed by architect Nils Finne has many large windows that provide panoramic views of Washington state’s Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains. The house also features thoughtful wood architectural details throughout and lots of wood furniture. “In this house, we found that Pashmina had a chameleon-like ability to take on different subtle colors in each space,” Finne says. “We liked the subtle color differences … and of course, Pashmina is warm and inviting.”

The chameleon-like quality of this sandy hue allows it to work well with a wide range of browns as well as grays.

Seashell, Cloverdale Paints

Calgary’s chilly winters inspired the use of warm neutrals in this home. Designer Kristina Hutchins chose Seashell by Cloverdale Paints to create cozy dining room comfort that’s downright hygge. “This color was chosen to enhance the two-tone kitchen, which created a warm tone to the home. The paint enhanced this feeling,” she says.

Platinum, Pratt & Lambert

Architect Dan Nelson finds that Pratt & Lambert’s Platinum helps highlight the architectural features of the homes he designs while also providing a backdrop that complements spectacular Pacific Northwest views. “To help warm up our modern houses, we use wood and earth tones like Platinum on the walls,” he says. “Many of our houses are known for being ‘warm modern’ and this color helps to achieve that goal.”

Stone Hearth, Benjamin Moore

Just because beige is in doesn’t mean you have to throw out all the gray. Mixing gray and greige hues with beige can result in an inviting and calming color palette. One of Los Angeles interior designer Shannon Ggem’s current favorite beiges is Stone Hearth by Benjamin Moore, and she finds it works well with a range of gray tones.

“It’s so restful and grounded. In this serene master bedroom, we paired it with silvery grays for a ‘Siamese cat palette’ and a classic accent of emerald green,” Ggem says. “Peaceful neutrals in combination with the organic linens, natural wools and cottons used here can support client wellness practices that make their everyday life better — color selection is important.”

Revere Pewter, Benjamin Moore

In this Grand Rapids, Michigan, living room, Benjamin Moore’s Revere Pewter, a true greige, creates a cozy ambiance. “It’s a simple color but it makes the space very inviting,” Ashley Wiborn of Snowden Builders says. “It is comforting, soft and subtle while still being neutral. Here it complements the features of the home, such as the beautiful fireplace.”

Worldly Gray, Sherwin-Williams

And Richmond, Virginia, interior designer Kathy Corbet brings up an important point: Gray is still popular with many homeowners. “Richmond is still very much on the gray trend,” she says. “Because I know it is on its way out, I have been encouraging clients to use Worldly Gray. It does read more beige but works really well with gray tones. I call it a very warm gray.”

Natural Linen, Sherwin-Williams

For a less greige beige, Corbet recommends another favorite of hers, Sherwin-Williams’ Natural Linen. Here you can see how well the color works with warm, spicy tones while keeping things light.

Designers Share Their Hottest Picks for Kitchen Backsplashes

Make a splash in the kitchen with these design pros’ selections for backsplash materials, colors and layouts

by Bryan Anthony

A backsplash is an ideal location for making a dramatic visual impact in the kitchen. And there’s a wide range of materials, colors and layouts to choose from. Here, design pros share some of the latest backsplash looks they’re using in their own projects.

1. Handmade Character

There’s something almost perfect about imperfections, which is why designers tell us that handmade tile is the way to go for kitchen backsplashes. “I use a lot of handmade tile, typically in porcelain or ceramic,” says designer Jena Bula of Delphinium Design.

Bula used elongated subway tile in light gray ceramic to cover the backsplash in this Charlotte, North Carolina, kitchen. “I love the natural look of handmade tile,” she says. “The movement and imperfections give each individual piece character.”

Designer Barbara Milner of South Hill Interiors agrees that handmade tile has a look and feel that you just can’t get from factory-made tile. “Using a tile with a handmade quality introduces a tactile element to a room, engages your senses and creates a more immersive design experience,” she says.

Milner used artisan-made large-format porcelain tiles for the backsplash in this Toronto kitchen. “Handmade looks featuring textures and patinas differentiate this type from standard factory tile. Imperfections are the key. Organic and weathered looks create interest and become a focal point of the kitchen,” she says.

2. Stylish Slabs

Large slabs of marble, stone and engineered quartz for backsplashes are a great way to create a sleek and dramatic look in a kitchen. “Currently trending for us in backsplashes is using slabs to match the countertop surfaces,” designer Joe Human says. “Depending on the material, it can really go ultramodern or really traditional in the right space.”

Human used large slabs of marble-look quartz for the backsplash, countertops and waterfall-edge island in this contemporary Manhattan penthouse kitchen.

The design team at jones haydu matched the countertops and backsplash in this recently remodeled San Francisco kitchen. Dark gray stone slabs on both provide a delightful contrast to the warm wood cabinets.

3. Chic Chevrons

When it comes to deciding on a layout for tiled backsplashes, designers tell us that chevron is a chic and classic look to consider. “I love that it has a historic precedent and is also being used in modern ways in today’s homes,” says designer Kimberly Herrick of the Herrick Design Group.

Herrick used thin light blue glass tiles laid in a chevron pattern to cover the backsplash in this stylish Minneapolis kitchen.

A chevron-pattern backsplash in bold colors is a great way to add energy and life to an all-white kitchen, as seen in this San Francisco kitchen remodeled by Jute Interior Design.

4. Custom Colors

The ability to specify the exact colors for tiles has opened up a world of possibilities for kitchen backsplashes. “There are so many options for color and texture with ceramic and porcelain tile, from glossy with and without crackle to hand-stamped tiles with a bas-relief pattern,” designer Kate Roos says. “With some manufacturers, you can even select [custom] colors.”

Roos chose three custom colors for the mosaic porcelain tile that covers the backsplash in this remodeled Minneapolis kitchen.

Grout color can also be selected in a variety of colors and hues. Designer Lori Brazier of House of Brazier says, “Colored grout can add character and dimension while breaking up a monotone space.”

Brazier used grout in a custom light gray shade to allow the white subway tile in this Sacramento, California, kitchen to stand out better.

Colored grout doesn’t stop at shades of black, brown and gray. Increasingly, grout in bold colors is appearing in kitchens in the U.S. and around the world. One example is the electric-blue grout in between the charcoal-gray subway tiles covering the backsplash in this Melbourne, Australia, kitchen designed by Adie Courtney Architect.

Leave your emotions at the doormat, this home needs to sell

by Leslie Sargent Eskildsen

Preparing to sell your house begins with getting your house ready to market it, and for some, this concept is difficult to grasp.

There are so many memories, milestones and emotions tied up in the place where you live. You’ll have greater success selling the home if you can flip the mental switch, disconnecting from those emotional attachments to “home sweet home.” Instead, view it as a commodity to be marketed to as many consumers as possible.

Keep in mind, you’re not preparing for company, family or a birthday party. You’re getting ready to announce to the world that your most valuable asset, in most cases, is available for someone else. You’re not inviting friends and family over to see your pretty things; you’re luring buyers over to see all the features your house has to offer. This is a crucial concept for home seller success.

When you can make the switch from homeowner to house seller, you begin with an advantage. When you make the decision to declutter, update, redecorate, rearrange, repaint, repurpose and stage your house and have well lit, balanced, wide-angle photographs showing the result of all your hard work posted on the Internet, you will attract more screen time and more foot traffic.

Nearly all homebuyers today begin their search on a smartphone, tablet, laptop or home computer. When your house shows up looking clean, bright, devoid of the distractions and the rooms convey design, purpose and features, you are much more likely to grab your audience’s attention.

Mind you, the photos cannot lie about your commodity. The photos cannot do the heavy lifting of getting your house ready for the market. The photos can only promote what you actually have to offer in the best form possible.

You flip the switch from homeowner to house seller and do the work to get ready for the photos in order to attract qualified buyers to come see the house in person and like it so much they will write you an offer.

On the flip side, when you fail to switch to house seller, you put yourself at a disadvantage. Impediments instead are in the buyer’s path. If the photos don’t look attractive, buyers have to spend a lot of energy imagining what your house really looks like, what it might look like without all of your stuff, with different stuff or with their stuff.

Those house hunters are more likely to put your house on the “maybe” list rather than on the “must-see” list. Regardless of how well lit the photos are.

Leslie Sargent Eskildsen is an agent with Realty One Group. She can be reached at 949-678-3373 or leslie@leslieeskildsen.com.

Designers Share Their Top Choices for Kitchen Floors

by Bryan Anthony

When it comes to selecting a material for the floors of their latest kitchen projects, these designers tell us it’s hard to beat the look and timeless quality of wood and wood-look vinyl. However, for those projects where tile is a must, a durable porcelain is hands down their favorite material for the job. And when it comes to laying down a kitchen floor, these pros suggest a herringbone pattern as a stylish way to go.

1. White Oak

Designer Joe Human of Designs by Human tells us that wood is the top material choice for kitchen floors. “Our most popular choice in recent years for kitchens is actually not tile but real wood. In most cases wood is very durable if you select the right type and finish,” Human says. “It looks timeless and is able to merge many styles and aesthetics.”

When it comes to selecting wood, Human says many of his clients are drawn to white oak. “You can get white oak with more knots for a little more industrial look or with less grain for a cleaner, modern look,” the designer says. Human recently used white oak planks for the kitchen floor in this Manhattan penthouse.

Architect Karen Smuland says she typically doesn’t use tile in a kitchen project because the hard surface isn’t ideal for standing on for long periods. “Wood is highly preferred and I recommended it for this reason,” she says.

Smuland used a wide-plank rift-cut white oak for the floor in this kitchen in Bend, Oregon. “Durability is key for every client,” she says. “White oak is hard, barely scratches and it looks great in modern and traditional styles.”

2. Wood-Look Vinyl

A popular alternative to wood that many designers on our panel recommend is wood-look vinyl flooring. “It’s softer on the foot than hardwood or engineered wood and it’s incredibly durable,” designer Barbara Milner of South Hill Interiors says. “It also has acoustic qualities that make it suitable for apartments.”

Milner covered the floor in this Toronto kitchen with a gray wood-look vinyl that she continued throughout the rest of the apartment. “The vinyl flooring is used throughout this studio apartment to avoid breaks in the flooring that would make the space feel smaller,” she says.

James T. Norman of Kitchen Magic is also on the wood-look flooring bandwagon. “It’s gaining traction due to its durability and innovative color options,” he says. “Expect to see this floor style become huge in 2020.”

The design team used gray wood-look planks for the floor in this Connecticut kitchen. They went with gray to provide a nice contrast to the white Shaker-style cabinets.

3. Herringbone Pattern

Whether it’s wood or wood-look vinyl, many of the designers we spoke to said that laying the material in a herringbone pattern is a stylish way to go. Frankie Castro of Square Footage says that “herringbone floors provide a classic look that began in the 16th century.”

Castro’s design team laid white oak planks in a herringbone pattern in this Toronto kitchen. “The resurgence of this luxury flooring pattern will stand the test of time,” Castro says.

Designer Kate Roos of Kate Roos Design used a whitewashed wood-look tile for the floor in this Minneapolis kitchen and laid it in a herringbone pattern. “A lot of my work is in older, turn-of-the-century homes and the wood-look planks laid in a herringbone pattern ties in nicely with the flooring in the rest of the home, which is almost always hardwood,” she says.

4. Porcelain

While wood and wood-look vinyl were the top choices among our designers, when tile was being used for a kitchen floor, porcelain was the leader of the pack. Designer Jena Bula of Delphinium Design covered the floor in this New York kitchen with a stone-look porcelain tile. “Porcelain tile is durable and it doesn’t chip easily,” she says

Designer Lori Brazier of House of Brazier is also a fan of porcelain. “It’s durable and comes in a variety of styles that can be used for almost any design and space,” she says.

Brazier used a hexagon porcelain stoneware tile for the floor in this recent Sacramento, California, kitchen project. “We used the tile to provide a distinct aesthetic that worked well in this remodeled Spanish casa,” the designer says.

See What’s Cooking in Kitchen Design

THE ROAD TO KBIS 2020 | Article by houzz PRO

Patterns dancing across natural stone surfaces. International style-setters revealing global trends. Appliances offering smart ways to address wellness. All this and more will be at this year’s KBIS in Las Vegas. Below, designers and an NKBA executive share trends and tips to help you prep — shoe-insole advice included.

Healthy Developments

Wellness will be a big theme at the show, with kitchens joining the growing movement. “Most of my clients love to cook, and additional sizes and configurations in both speed and steam ovens would help me open up options for clients interested in innovative cooking technologies,” says Sarah Robertson, owner of Studio Dearborn in Mamaroneck, New York. But that tech should be seamlessly integrated, says Rebecca Sutton, a designer at Kitchen Design Concepts in Dallas. “People want more behind-the-scenes options than super interactive.”

A Global Component

Show style this year will stretch beyond national borders. “We’re really increasing the international component,” says Suzie Williford, NKBA’s executive vice president of industry relations and chief strategy officer. “Delegations of designers and manufacturers are coming from all over the world — Germany, the U.K., Jordan, Turkey — which we’re very excited about and intend to keep growing.”

Natural Elements

Expect options pulled from the environment to make a strong showing. “I’m really excited to see biophilic design and to bring the outdoors in,” Sutton says, listing living walls as an example of an idea she’d love to incorporate into a project. Robertson says bold stone surfaces, living finishes and light- and midtone wood cabinetry are natural kitchencentric themes she wants to see at the show.

Bringing Back the Bold

Keep an eye out for bright colors and bold finishes. “I love the options we’re seeing in custom-colored appliances, and I’m hoping for even more customization of appliance handles and knobs,” Robertson says. Sutton adds, “The expansion of maximalism is also bringing back patterns.” As for finishes? “We’re seeing a push to more contemporary,” Williford says. “Black steel on ranges; glass on appliances going from white to a softer gray. And lots and lots of metallic.”

Continuing Education

“I always get a client who doesn’t want what everyone else has,” Sutton says. “So that’s another reason I love going to KBIS, because I can add what I’m seeing to my areas of expertise and show clients new products.” Robertson agrees. “Every discussion with clients is sprinkled with tidbits and information gathered in the field,” she says. An insider tip? “Go to presentations and larger events the first two days, then see exhibitors on Thursday,” since the crowd inevitably thins on the third day, Williford says.

It’s All in the Bag

Since you’ll be logging 15,000-plus steps at the show, comfortable shoes are a must. “Dr. Scholl’s are your new BFFs,” Sutton says. Robertson adds, “Also bring a water bottle you can refill — there are plenty of water fountains — and a portable phone charger or two. Your phone will die otherwise.” Instead of taking collateral, Robertson snaps photos of things she likes, then follows up with vendors postshow to learn more. “I try to do that right away, so I am ready to specify new products,” she says. Williford also tucks a candy bar into her bag, “because you need a little jolt of sugar every once in a while to keep you going,” she says.

4 Features That Make a Home Perfect for Holiday Entertaining

Designers reveal the things that make a difference when hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s

by Gwendolyn Purdom on Houzz.com

A house that lends itself to entertaining is a boon for holiday hosts. But other than enough living room real estate for a Christmas tree and a dining table that has seating for all the guests, what features should homeowners and pros consider incorporating to maximize a home’s holiday hosting potential? We asked home professionals to share the festivity-friendly design details they love.

1. Easy-to-Decorate Exterior and Entryway

Certain outdoor features especially can allow for a celebratory tone before you even step inside a house. Interior designer Monique Varsames of Moka Design in New York says a long, tree-lined driveway is a favorite canvas for holiday decor that greets guests immediately. Clients have requested large front windows on her projects, Varsames says, specifically to display Christmas wreaths and lights. Pillars on the porch or along the driveway are perfect for wrapping in twinkle lights too.

Kelly Fitzsimmons, who designs holiday light displays professionally through her business Light Up Your Holidays in Chicago, says most home setups can work for holiday lighting — the trick is arranging the lights in such a way that the look feels balanced and the house’s architectural features are showcased.

More practically, Fitzsimmons says the perfect holiday house would have a dedicated 15-amp outlet on either side of the house in the front yard and one in the backyard. This would separate the outdoor power from the internal power of the house.

“This just gives [homeowners] the flexibility to create any display they want for any holiday,” she says.

It’s also a better bet than having outlets in a house’s eaves, which she says she sees a lot in new construction. “If you need to adjust a [ground fault circuit Interrupter outlet] or replace lights, you have to get out the ladder and go up to the eaves,” she says. “All should be on the ground.”

The exterior is a prime part of a home for embracing holiday spirit, Fitzsimmons says: “There’s nothing better than driving home to a magically lit home with your kids in the car and getting everybody excited and anticipating all of the holiday festivities.”

2. Multipurpose Island

A large kitchen island with plenty of seating is the top holiday-hosting must-have that several designers mentioned. As so many holidays revolve around big meals, an island acts as a bridge between those who are cooking and chatting and those who are mingling or relaxing at a holiday gathering.

“This space connects the family to the family room, where others could be watching a football game or engaging in conversation, yet everyone is in close proximity to each other,” Varsames says.

As the island often doubles as a serving station for holiday dishes, the Beautiful Chaos designers always install a Plugmold outlet strip with six receptacles underneath the counter overhang in kitchen islands to allow warming dishes and slow cookers to be plugged in during holiday gatherings.

“We finish the Plugmold in the same color as the center island so it blends in,” Martin says.

Smaller houses and homes like condos and apartments can be just as holiday-ready, Chicago interior designer Crystal Blackshaw says. In those spaces, something like a large island or peninsula, like the one shown in a condo Blackshaw designed here, can serve even more purposes — as an informal dining space and as a place to display seasonal decor.

“This was a condo with views of Lake Michigan, so we decided to decorate for the holidays with shades of blue,” Blackshaw says. “The home already had a modern-and-vintage mix, so we incorporated vintage Christmas decorations and live greenery to emphasize what was already there.”

3. Fireplace With a Roomy Mantel

A roaring fire creates instant holiday atmosphere, but outfitting that fireplace with a substantial mantel can be just as important, the pros say.

A mantel sturdy enough to support Thanksgiving gourds, Christmas stocking holders and greenery, or Hanukkah menorahs or garlands, like the one shown here, can turn a living room from just cozy to just right for the occasion.

Elsewhere in the living or family room, areas that can accommodate trees, other seasonal decor, and seating for family and friends to open gifts work best.

“A simple change in pillows or flowers can have a big impact and change the whole look of the room,” Blackshaw says.

4. Party Basement

Varsames says a finished lower level is the feature homeowners looking to host holidays request from her the most. A basement can be a special place for kids to play during family gatherings.

A finished basement bar or game room is another feature that turns a home into a party home, the designers say. A bar that can serve up Thanksgiving football game beers or New Year’s Eve champagne elevates any celebratory space.

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Design by Penny Black Interiors; contracting by Look Construction; photo by Christopher Dibble

Ceilings as the Fifth Wall

Metallic swirls above that echo the whorls of a natural stone island below. Trompe l’oeil wood-paneled wallpaper crowning an intimate room. Puffy clouds floating across a sky-like ceiling. Just like a top hat goes perfectly with tails or a fascinator complements an elegant dress, an eye-catching ceiling can provide the flair that finishes off a room.

Design by Roundhouse; photo by Darren Chung

Raise Your Gaze

“We’ve been drowned in minimalism for such a long time; people are happier to play with pattern and print right now,” says designer Stewart Horner of Penny Black Interiors in Portland, Oregon. “The natural thing is to explore the ceiling, a typically untouched white void.” Chicago designer Summer Thornton believes that people are looking for spaces that transport them.

Top Materials and Techniques

“Wallpaper makes the space feel cozy and enveloping, while a level-five high-gloss [paint] finish feels liquid wet and dramatic,” Thornton says. Designer Ariana Fischer in Portland, Maine, adores a high sheen because it bounces light around. She also likes an old-school shellack over hand-combed paint, with pale blue over cream. Horner prefers wallpaper, using geometrics along with cloud patterns, “because it’s what you’re supposed to see when you look up,” he says. For his own midcentury home, he’s creating an abstract ceiling mural in coppers and golds on a beige background.

Shine On

Horner recommends dropping crown molding a couple of inches down from the ceiling and then installing lights in the gap for a nice glow. Add a chandelier that sends light up as well as down, and use reflective surfaces around the room. “Add glass surfaces anywhere you can to make a connection between the ceiling and the rest of the space,” he says. “Try an angled mirror leaning against a wall, mirrored coffee tables or a domed floor lamp finished in chrome.”

Design by Ariana Fischer; photo by Erin Little Photography

Height Matters

Keep ceiling height in mind, Fischer says. “I don’t like to do drama on a low ceiling; it makes the ceiling come down. I only add beams and coffers and other interesting treatments when it’s at least 9 feet high.”

Design Dreams

Fischer wants to try woodsy wallpaper. “It’d be like sitting under a canopy of trees when the sun filters through,” she says. “I’d use it in a dark space where you need something special.” She’s also yearning to do a powder room with a pink grasscloth ceiling and romance-novel-theme wallpaper. Horner would love to clad a ceiling in etched mirror tile. “A mirror is the cheesiest thing you can think of overhead, but I want to do it in a way that’s undeniably gorgeous,” he says.

Design by TKD Architects; photo by Brett Boardman

Parting Words

Some practical advice: “Keep in mind that a ceiling fixture will subtly cast the ceiling color across the room,” Thornton says. “Get a young wallpaper hanger that’s up for doing a ceiling,” Horner advises. “And expect to pay more, especially if scaffolding is involved.” Fischer says, “Design can be like a painting, and it’s all based on balance. You don’t want the most important thing in the room to be a ceiling unless you’re in a cathedral.”

This article was originally published by the houzz Trade Program.