Reader kbfenner left an interesting comment on this post the other day:
Oh, dear. I was all hepped on on color after your WashPo chat, and the article, etc. Then I see the Room and Board photos–so serene…so white! What to do? Is it possible to get that clean, light serenity with colors?
Naturally, *I* think you can.
I went to the DC Design House the other day, and while some of the rooms were more successful than others, ALL of them – I mean ALL of them – were done in a palette of neutrals. (Kelly Proxmire came closest to busting out with a beautiful room done in chocolate and white. That was my favorite room.)
When asked, an official said that applicants weren’t specifically asked to use neutral palettes, but judges did want a cohesive tour…
Translation: greys, taupes, naturals.
Why? Why the obsession with these neutral colors? And – more important – why do so many people automatically equate “elegant” and “sophisticated” with neutral?
Frankly, it feels like a cop-out.
Now granted, “serene” is a little different than “elegant” and “sophisticated,” but they’re all quiet words. The difference to me – and this is a personal interpretation – is that “serene” connotes a clear color. A light, clear color, and white accents. Cool, soothing, and contemplative. Restful.
A light blue bathroom is classic serenity.
As is a super light green-blue bedroom with white sheets.
And we’ve established that light neutrals paired with white can be serene, as in this picture.
So I do think that “serene” rooms are light, with less saturated colors than darker rooms. Serene = transcendent = light?
Once you go with a darker color, I think you’re in “cozy” territory. Neutrals probably can go darker than most colors and still be serene…maybe that’s why people like them so much. Sigh.
In any event, here are some rooms WITH COLOR that I would call “serene.”
Frank Roop’s gray bedroom:
A Robin’s egg blue and taupe living room:
A greenish living room…hmmm, this one is darker than the others, but it still feels serene:
Maybe another characteristic of serenity is “spareness.”
I couldn’t find a yellow room that I’d call serene. Doesn’t mean there isn’t one out there; I just couldn’t find it.
I hope this is helpful, kbfenner. It was interesting to think about. I’d love to hear what you all think: what does “serenity” mean to you?