I’ve never had an aversion to white. Like a lot of people, I see the interior decorations of magnificent homes and how they look pristine and just about perfect with their neutrality. I felt it was cute. It did appeal to me at the time. It still does to wn extent. But sometimes it could twinge my senses the wrong way and I didn't know yhat until I attended the housewarming of a relative.
The house was huge and magnificent. I did expect the house to be abundantly painted in neutral colours cause his wife had often gushed about how exotic and elegant those model houses in magazines looked. And so I knew that she’d style her house in that manner. But I hadn’t been there three minutes before I decided up front that alas! It wasn’t for me. Cause it wasn't neutral. All white. Like a hospital.
The house was pretty. It was elegant. It was the model home. But that’s the issue. It was too perfect. I’d fawned over those model houses for a long time but somehow this lacked the homey effect it was supposed to have. Maybe because it was modelled after a magazine ad. Or because it was all white. I didn’t judge her for it though.
I think, however, that asides from an all-white home, neutral tones are really homey. There’s a lot of importance and meaning attached to the place you call your home. It’s a place where you should feel happy, feel safe. It’s a kind of haven to me. Because I know that if I was sad and on the verge of despair, I’d look at my wall and how pretty it is and at least, momentarily, feel calm. Which is why I didn’t judge my relative’s wife for her choice of decor and rather respected it cause at the end of the day, you’re hoping for a space you can feel safe in. One that makes you happy and it looked like the all-white tone seemed to genuinely do that for her.
My family home was painted in cream and sand tones for a long time then a few years back, my Dad decided that he’d like a change. He asked the girls what colours we’d like, showing us the colour palette and I was immediately drawn to the coffee brown and dusty pink colours for the exterior. Andthat’s what we eventually went with. I would have liked something like that also for the interior but the cream tones still looked just fine to the rest of my sisters.
The house, for the exterior, has this elegant look to it that didn’t take away that comfortable look from it. I immediately fell in love with all things neutral. However, for my own apartment which I hope to have someday, the darker neutrals like Grey and Brown stand out for me. I’ve always wanted that in my own home. I know a place with proper lighting is suitable but I’ve always felt more at peace in darker coloured environments.
I’ve also seen people be able to perfectly pull off colourful walls and decorations. I think our choice of walls isn't exactly a pointer to our personality and sometimes, if the colours are combined correctly, they look pretty nice and are quite appealing to the eye. And I, myself would love and have sprinkles of colourful art here and there in my home, just to add that elegance to it. In the end, we just want to be in a place aesthetically pleasing not just to our eyes but to our hearts and senses.
I do feel quite happy that neutral tones exemplify minimalism but if a whole burst of colours makes you feel calm and is your safe space, it’s still exemplary of what minimalism characterizes. Happy and Safe.
Images are mine unless otherwise stated.
