Gray -- the fashionable neutral

Tired of beige walls? Want a new alternative to your stand-by black pants? It's time to check out gray -- the freshest neutral in both fashion and home design.

We've built a Pinterest board showcasing some of the best gray:

Here's a closer look at a few of our favorites:

via Pinterest, via Satsuki Shibuya

via Pinterest, via Jaime Derringer

via Pinterest, via Afro Chic, from design*sponge

This week's email from West Elm also features gray (or "graphite", a more glamorous name):

We just used two soft grays in a living room, and we love the results!

photo by Lisa Ratner

The darker gray on the left is Coventry Gray, and the lighter on the other two walls is Horizon (both Benjamin Moore):

A word of warning about grays: they can look really different from the color cards when painted on your walls, depending on the light. We've found that many can end up looking purple or lavender. And these I've shown here look almost green on my screen -- not so in person. So always test your color selections before you buy that big gallon!

Neutral + Color = A Beautiful Balance

Camel. Beige. Tan. Cream. Taupe. What do these neutrals mean to you? Calm? Peaceful? Safe?

Now add a little something . . . how about a pop of pink? A bit of bright blue? A racy orange stripe or a burst of yellow?

A little color can change everything. Lately we’re noticing some great blends of neutral sofas and chairs combined with shots of color via pillows, lamps, blankets and artwork.

If you love your creams, whites and camels, try layering a little color on top and see what happens to your room. And when you’re ready to change the whole feel again, just change out your color accents. It’s the fastest, easiest and most affordable way to make your room feel new.

Images via House Beautiful and Elle Decor

Neutral Territory, Part 2: Color Codes

Last week we looked at the current trends in neutrals. When you love color as much as we do, it's even more important to understand how to balance the brights. The goal is to make interiors fun and playful, not to make your eyes bleed. But, now that we've gotten a good look at the rich shades of brown, caramel, and flax that have hit the scene, it's time to turn back to color and see how all these lovely shades play together.

WITH GREEN

? :: Elle Decoration

WITH YELLOW

Anthropologie :: Elle Decoration

WITH PURPLE

Elle Decoration :: House Beautiful

WITH A LITTLE OF EVERYTHING

Elle Decoration :: Elle Decoration :: Vitra

Neutral Territory, Part 1: The New Neutrals

There's no denying here at Visual Jill we love color. Still, just like the negative space defines a shape, and the time apart gives meaning to the time together, color is only as fabulous as the neutrals it is contrasted against. So here's a look at the latest trends in neutrals. We're seeing warm, honey-colored tones like camel, saddle, oatmeal, and chocolate in everything from fashion to furniture. Even the new iPad2 covers come in camel and ecru--have you ever seen an Apple product in camel? If they're doing it, it must be hot!
Next week: Neutrals with Color.

Elle Decoration :: Bazaar

Elle Decoration :: Benjamin Moore Color Pulse

Elle Decoration

Elle Decoration ::a view of the new Hermes, La Maison store in Paris

Elle Decoration :: Anthropologie

*Credits: Kyoko Jackson - Photography