Preparation
When you’re flirting with décor ideas, there’s much to be said for committing to a single favorite hue that makes you extremely happy. The monochromatic approach may be the most basic in color-and-design theory, but the results are stylishly sublime. Below, explore inspiring spaces that illustrate this option, and discover ideas (both big and small) for inviting it into your place.
Above, a subtle mix of grayish blues “gives this entryway personality without overriding its historic features, strong proportions, and beautiful stripped pine floors,” says designer Steven Gambrel. He chose Domingue paint in Swale for the walls, Benjamin Moore Shaker Gray 1594 for the door, and Benjamin Moore Platinum Gray PM-7 for the trim and risers.
Maybe not 50, but there are about 15 shades of gray in this calm kitchen. “The tile adds texture, and the copper hardware is a neutral accent,” says Living home editor Lorna Aragon.
In Martha’s guesthouse at Skylands, in Maine, soft, pale walls take a cue from pink granite that was quarried on-site and used throughout the property and to line her driveway. (Sherwin-Williams SW 6323 Romance is a similar shade.)
At Martha’s Bedford home, the living-room walls link to the lawn outside and the schefflera plants inside. Looking for a close match? Try Valspar Ivy Pasture 6004-6C.
This creamy bathroom adds interest with different finishes. “The tub is shiny, the walls are matte, and the woodwork is in-between,” says Lorna. “The brass and gold and the floor’s veining act like neutrals.”
Looking to commit to the monochrome approach? Consider the below paint, wallpaper, and sofa combinations.
First up is yellow: From buttery creams to bold golds, they brighten any room like natural rays.
Shades in this family, however light or deep, are warm, organic, and grounding.
Rich, earthy reds from terra-cotta to rust can turn a wall the striking color of a desert sunset.
Apply the monochromatic approach to an entire room—or use it on a smaller scale, as in the ideas below. Stick to one hue you love to group flowers or prized possessions, and even to set striking tables. It’s a surefire route to a cohesive look.
You know who’s great at creating infinite variations on one color? Nature. To create simply gorgeous bouquets, say, “Give me all the yellows.”
Style same-shade pieces together to make artful displays. For interest, add something similarly hued yet different, like an ostrich egg.
Single-minded settings create a super-pretty, immersive table. Here, even the glasses and flatware get in on the burgundy action.
