Real Estate News
T R I A N G L E
“Our area really appeals to everyone, from second home buyers to retirees and those able to relocate their businesses. It’s all about the quality of life here.”
home design
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dedicated to showcasing the triangle’s distinctive homes
– Vance Young, Intracoastal Realty
Wilmington wows
There’s something for everyone in this coastal port city - story on page 4
real estate news What’s new p2
design instyle
Worth the investment p8
designer spotlight Lauren Burns of Lauren Burns Interiors p12
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straight talk Afraid of beige p15
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|real estate news
what’s new?
compiled by Whitney Berongi
www.BarstoolsAndDinettes.com 8620 Glenwood Ave Raleigh NC 27612
919.787.6680
APRIL 27–28 & MAY 4–5 NOON –5PM Free SELF-GUIDED tour of highperformance homes in the Triangle
Discover how a certiďŹ ed green home delivers comfort, savings, durability and a healthy living environment.
CIMARRON HOMES ENTERS SPRING GREEN HOME TOUR Cimarron Homes has entered The Davidson model home into the Spring Green Home Tour. Located in the Meadows at Fleming Farms community in Creedmoor, N.C., The Davidson features massive open space with tons of natural light from the large multiple Low-E energy efďŹ cient, vinyl windows. The open area contains the great room, breakfast area and the kitchen, all with hardwood oors. The kitchen has Energy Star Frigidaire appliances, granite countertops, birch cabinets and an island. The ďŹ rst-oor master bedroom suite includes a master bath with double vanity, tiled oors and large walk-in closet. A study/ofďŹ ce and a half bath are also included on the ďŹ rst oor. The upstairs has two bedrooms, a full bath and loft area, all with the large Low-E vinyl windows. The Davidson model is available for $324,050. Cimarron Homes is one of the only area builders that obtains Home Innovation Research Labs National Green Building Standard (NGBS) certiďŹ cation on every Cimarron Home. Cimarron follows practices to help reduce environmental impact, including site design, and quality stormwater management. Cimarron exceeds ENERGY STAR standards by using advanced framing techniques, installing water conserving shower heads, faucets, and toilets and green labeled carpet, sealed crawl spaces, Aprilaire air ďŹ lters, along with many more green features. The Spring Green Home Tour is April 27–28 and May 4–5 from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, visit cimarronhomes.com. Email real estate news to TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com. T R I A N G L E
home design Editor
Christina Darnell
Coordinator/Designer
Melissa Kennelly
Creative Strategy Buck Brice
Real Estate Marketing Consultant
Katina Faulkner, kfaulkner@newsobserver.com 919-836-5999
Advertising Sales Manager Becky Halliday, 925-382-6594
Section published by The News & Observer • 421 Fayetteville St. Suite 104 Raleigh, NC 27601. Editorial material in this section is the responsibility of the Observer Content Studio, 704-358-5185. It did not involve the news staff of The Observer.
Is there a neighborhood you’d like to see featured? Do you know of a new design trend on the rise? Did you use one of our ideas for your own home or home purchase?
We’d love to hear from you.
TriangleHomeDesign@newsobserver.com
#TriangleGreenHomeTour #SpringGreenHomeTour #HighPerformanceHomes
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facebook.com/TriangleHomeDesign *Copyright 2019 by The News & Observer. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without written permission.
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
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|living in Wilmington
DID YOU KNOW? Wrightsville Beach has been named one of North Carolina’s most naturally gifted watersports hubs and one of the top surfing towns in the entire world.
EAT
The Peppered Cupcake Not your typical sweet shop, this bakery on S. Front Street features scratch-made, gourmet cupcakes with unique and unusual combinations—think blueberry and citrus habanero and black cherries with horseradish—earning them Yelp’s No. 1 place to eat in Wilmington. thepepperedcupcake.com
PLAY
North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher Spend the day at this aquarium, recently dubbed one of the top 20 aquariums in the U.S. by TripAdvisor, to touch a stingray, watch baby sea turtles, marvel at an albino alligator, talk with a diver swimming with eels and sharks and so much more. ncaquariums.com
EXPLORE
Airlie Gardens Hire a bike and ride from Wrightsville Beach to this lush, 67-acre waterfront park that hosts events all year long like its summer concert series, annual oyster roast and spectacular holiday light show. airliegardens.org
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byJulie Cooper
W
ith a vibrant historic downtown riverfront and three stunning island beaches— Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Wrightsville Beach—Wilmington has a lot of coastal fun to offer. Whether it’s the surf, the shops, the history or its tremendous foodie scene, folks from all over flock to this port city for a taste of the good life. “Wilmington has a small town feel but offers most of the ideal amenities found in a larger city,” says native Kirra Sutton with Figure Eight Realty. “We not only have several beautiful beach communities, but there’s also the historic downtown and bustling riverfront. Even as we continue to grow, we’ve managed to retain that friendly, community feel.” It’s this unique combination of easy-living coastal flair, cost of living and pristine beaches that makes Wilmington so desirable. “I have lived here my entire life and developed a great appreciation for all that we have to offer,” says Sutton. “I spent most of my days on Wrightsville Beach or Figure Eight Island. Between the beach and community feel, I could never envision living anywhere else—I couldn’t even leave for college!” Thanks to UNC-Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College,
there’s a great mix of people who call the area home. “We have an inimitable combination of proud history, cultural arts and a growing city, including 30,000 students at the local colleges,” says Vance Young with Intracoastal Realty. “Our area really appeals to everyone, from second home buyers to retirees and those able to relocate their businesses. It’s all about the quality of life here.” Saturated in low-country charm, moss-covered live oaks and water views at every turn, Wilmington is a natural wonderland, and the architecture in the area celebrates that. “There are lots of porches and outdoor kitchens and fireplaces in the homes here,” says Young. “We’re also seeing more and more contemporary and modern designs with lots of glass to take advantage of the views. Neighborhoods like Landfall, Wrightsville Beach, Forest Hills, South Oleander and, of course, our historic district offer a beautiful mix of architecture for any buyer.” Beyond its postcard views, Wilmington and its beaches offer more than meets the eye. “There’s definitely an emphasis on being outside and on the water,” says Young. “But, some people may be surprised that we’re also a big
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foodie town. There are tons of really good dining options and lots of new breweries. Along with the miles of trails, Airlie Gardens, the beaches and summer music festivals, we never have a shortage of things to do!” Stitched between the ocean and the river, Wilmington is absolutely booming. “Some of the new, larger developments like RiverLights and River Bluffs are offering homebuyers wonderful community amenities along Wilmington’s beautiful Cape Fear River,” says Sutton. “Development in historic downtown Wilmington continues to grow with new apartment and commercial development. And, there are plans to develop a community close to Wrightsville Beach that will offer commercial space and residential living.” Thanks to the area’s ease of accessibility via Wilmington International Airport (ILM) and I-40 along with its abundant coastal appeal, the market is thriving. “The real estate market in Wilmington is very strong at all price points,” says Sutton, who expects the area will continue to maintain value and steadily grow. “People will never tire of the coastal lifestyle and being by the beach.”
living in Wilmington| FIGURE EIGHT ISLAND 22 Saltmeadow Road, Wilmington, NC 28411 Price: $3,795,000 MLS: 100155783 Listing Agents: Kirra Sutton, 910-686-4400, kirra@figure8island.com; Jo El Skipper, 910686-4400, jo-el@figure8island.com; Figure Eight Realty
Rare Figure Eight Island find. Lovely, soundfront home located on the open water with saltwater pool, white sandy beach and pier with floating dock/boat lift. Views of the bay, ocean and open water sound. Use the main level and master suite for easy living or bring the entire family and utilize all three floors of this expansive home. Additional features include hardwoods throughout main floor, landscaped lawn, kayak/paddle board storage, outside shower, covered and open decks across all three levels and more.
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH 915 S Lumina Avenue, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 Price: $5,250,000 MLS: 100146273 Listing Agent: Vance Young, Intracoastal Realty, 910-232-8850, vanceyoung@ intracoastalrealty.com
Located on the southern tip of Wrightsville Beach, this spectacular oceanfront, coastalinspired home features an open floor plan with multiple ipe decks and covered porches with outdoor kitchen, gas fire pits, oceanfront hot tub and a putting green. Fully fenced and gated. Copper gutters, standing seam copper roof, solid American walnut interior doors, crown molding and beams. Coastal design includes Italian White Carrara marble throughout, furniture-grade cabinetry, Creston system, elevator and whole-house generator. Hidden bookcase/ entertainment center. Six-car garage.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
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|living in Wilmington FIGURE EIGHT ISLAND 19 Comber Road, Wilmington, NC, 28411 Price: $1,750,000 MLS: 100160768 Listing Agent: Vance Young, Intracoastal Realty, 910-232-8850, vanceyoung@ intracoastalrealty.com
Located on the north end of North Carolina’s most private beach, Figure Eight Island, this contemporary beach design features outstanding ocean views from the second row location with easy beach boardwalk access. Double porches on the ocean side and a rear deck. Open floor plan features a cathedral ceiling with huge skylight for great natural light. Recent updates include new kitchen with stainless appliances, quartz counters and a subway tile backsplash, updated baths, all new exterior and interior paint and carpet, two tankless gas water heaters.
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WILMINGTON 7319 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington, NC 28412 Price: $7,800,000 MLS: 100162240 Listing Agent: Michelle Clark, Intracoastal Realty, 910-367-9767, mclark@intracoastalrealty.com
LANDFALL 2009 Seawind Lane, Wilmington, NC 28405 Price: $849,999 MLS: 100123725 Listing Agent: Michelle Clark, Intracoastal Realty, 910-367-9767, mclark@intracoastalrealty.com
Awaken to breathtaking sunrises over the Intracoastal Waterway, inlet and ocean. This amazing residence rests on 10.5-plus acres on the ICW, offering privacy and views galore. Main house with attached carriage house is full of gorgeous details. Pool house with indoor lap and circular pool, movie screen, bar, screened porch with fireplace, plus separate guest house. Private pier with gazebo. A Moorefield & Murray masterpiece with Marvin windows, custom railings, bamboo flooring and gourmet kitchen.
Soothing rock waterfall feature with calming lake backdrop captures the serenity of a private park. Light-filled breakfast room adjacent to granite kitchen with custom cabinets, two ovens and gas range. Firstfloor master. Beautiful lakeside villa home in the gated golf community of Landfall. Additional first-floor bedroom/den, two fireplaces, upstairs media room, large walk-in storage, cedar closet and plantation shutters. Fun bar area.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
2019 Features Calendar 7 14 21 28
APR I L Fuquay Varina/Willow Spring Golf Communities Wake Forest Travel Feature
7 14 21 28
JULY Morrisville Brier Creek Senior Living Travel Feature
6 13 20 27
OC TOBER North Raleigh Estates Midtown Completely Custom Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
FEBRUARY Downtown Raleigh Cameron Village Chapel Hill / Carborro Design Feature
5 12 19 26
MAY The Condo Issue Historic Oakwood Garner / Clayton Travel Feature
4 11 18 25
AUGUST Luxury Homes Equestrian Communities Chapel Hill / Carborro Travel Feature
3 10 17 24
NOVEMBER Apartment Home Living Clayton American Tobacco Road District Travel Feature
MARCH
3 10 17 24 31
Cary Downtown Durham Living Knightdale / Wendell Pittsboro/Moncure/Jordan Lake Travel Feature
2 9 16 23 30
JUNE The Pool Issue Apex Apartment Home Living Roof Top/Outdoor Spaces Travel Feature
1 8 15 22 29
SEP TEMBER Green Living Zebulon Northern Durham Five Points Travel Feature
1 8 15 22 29
DECEMBER Holiday Decorating Condos & Townhomes Renovations Real Estate Top Producers Travel Feature
Call Katina Faulkner for advertising information or to place your ad 919-836-5999 421 Fayetteville St, Ste 104, Raleigh, NC 27601
The Triangle’s Premier, Weekly Real Estate Publication
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|design instyle
Hancock & Moore infuse a basic white room with pops of green, blue and purple on the Harper sofa, Surge chair and Tulip chair, respectively.
Worth the investment
Fun, modern colors breathe new life into this valued, durable material by Vicki Payne
D
o you remember when leather furniture was only available in black or brown? Then choices expanded to include my least favorite color, burgundy. Leather has long been associated with stodgy and stuffy decor. The leather industry was turned on its ear when American
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Leather started offering a rainbow of rich, fun, beautiful colors including lime green, red and yellow. Today it’s tough to find a black sofa on display in mid to upscale showrooms. There are so many beautiful styles, colors and textures to choose from—why stick to boring?
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Trilogy sofa by Hancock & Moore in blue leather proves leather can be very fresh and transitional.
Hancock and Moore eschewed the notion that leather is relegated to neutrals. They injected color with pops of green, blue and purple on the Harper sofa, Surge chair and Tulip chair, respectively—an interesting way to electrify a basic white room. Glorious colors are only a part of the story. Texture is playing a big role in designers’ custom furniture presentations. Mixing smooth leather finishes with faux croc leather provides that key designer element “texture.” Other textured enhanced real leathers are available. Texture can come from many sources. The Margo ottoman is decorated with rows of leather and suede fringe, accented with oversized nailheads. The interesting design transforms what would ordinarily be a plain brown ottoman. Mixing leather with fabric is a huge trend, allowing designers to bring in
even more color and texture. Leather bar stools can be mundane. Take that same design and incorporate a textured or print fabric on the inside or outside of the leather stool and you awaken design magic. Jonathan Charles loves to experiment with leather. He chose a soft gray leather to cover a chest of drawers, resulting in a delicate and feminine look. Other design ideas include lining a writing desk and the inside of cabinets. Leather is such a hard-wearing and versatile substrate, making it a great selection for high traffic areas and pet owners’ households. Don’t be afraid to use your leather pieces. Vintage leather sofas and chairs exhibiting years of wear and service are among the most sought after antiques worldwide. In addition to color and texture, leather is available in various finishes. The finishes determine how forgiv-
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GARLAND SHORES....
Come find your new beach home for a bargain!
Brought to you by one of the TOP selling real estate companies in Eastern NC! BOGUE BANKS REALTY, INC | 129 Front Street, Swansboro, NC 28584, US
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Fringed leather transforms a plain ottoman. Margo ottoman by Hancock & Moore.
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ing a leather will be when exposed to certain situations and lifestyles. Top-grain leather means leather that has been made from the top or outermost layer of cowhide. It shows all its natural grain and is the most natural. Be aware of inexpensive leather furniture. Chances are it’s bonded leather—polyurethane on the exposed surface, followed by a thin
Monday through Friday 10-6 • Saturday 10-5:00 • Closed Sunday
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
layer of fabric with bits of leather scraps fused onto it. Think of it like pressed wood, made from sawdust and wood scraps combined with binding agents. It is not as strong or durable as real leather. A furniture tag that states genuine leather, nubuck, pure aniline, semi-aniline or pigmented leather ensures you’re buying authentic leather. Natural hide markings, grain
and characteristics are indicative of natural leather. When you sit on real leather, it will be warmer and more pliable than faux materials. Also, take a sniff. Nothing can duplicate the authentic aroma of real leather. Synthetic fibers will have that chemical smell. When you purchase leather, just like any other quality furniture, you need to know as much as possible about the materials and craftsmanship used to create it. Always buy what you love, but make sure it is worth the investment.
Vicki Payne Donatelli is an interior designer, project coordinator and popular speaker for renovation and new construction projects. She is the host of the national PBS series “For Your Home.” Visit her blog at ForYourHome.com.
Jessica Charles’s Casino barstools, shown in fabric, can be ordered in leather and fabric combinations.
Garner’s Premier 55+ Active Adult Community (Just ask our 61 purchasers!)
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Visit The Tapestry: 373 Old Drug Store Rd. Garner, NC 27529
Directions: I-40 to exit 312, west to Old Drug Store Road then left. Monday-Saturday 10am - 5pm Sunday 12pm - 5pm *Prices and availability are subject to change without notice.
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|designer spotlight
Lauren Burns of Lauren Burns Interiors by Bethany E. Starin | photos by Catherine Nguyen Photography
O
nce a top ADP sales rep, Lauren Burns is now a North Carolina-loving interior designer currently collaborating on a custom line of reclaimed wood case goods and also working as part of the design team for the HGTV hit show “Love It or List It.” Warm and down to earth, Burns loves turning rooms into layered, sophisticated and usable spaces for clients. Determined to give her clients a wonderful design experience, Burns says her favorite part of the process is using her honed listening skills during the consultation. She owns her client’s desires for the home, combines them with her passion for design and creates spaces they are proud to live in, spaces that feel effortlessly chic. Q: What is your background? A: “My undergraduate degree is in marketing. Living in the D.C. area, I held
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a corporate sales job for ADP as one of the top sales reps in the country for several years.” Q: What inspired the switch to design? A: “My journey to interior design was after we had our first child. Like a lot of women, I started to reevaluate what was most beneficial time-wise and decided my heart wasn’t in sales anymore. I was lucky enough to be able to stay at home with my first child and that was my chance to explore interior design. I enrolled in the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design in D.C. and did some projects on the side helping friends.” Q: When did your business launch? A: “Officially, it launched about 10 years ago when we moved to Syracuse but I had three small children, and my
husband at the time traveled for work, so it was just a client here and there. We bought a house that ended up being in the Parade of Homes, and I selected all of the finishes and designs inside. It won the Best of Style award! Once we moved to Cary, N.C., and my youngest started school, I began to slowly build my business. I am grateful for how much it has taken off since then, expanding to the Tri-Cities area and beyond. I started with one client and it snowballed in the past five years.” Q: What about design makes you personally inspired? A: “Sometimes with interior design it’s not always lucrative enough that you can support yourself. For me, life took a turn and I am now a single mom. Life required me to gracefully pick myself up, dust myself off and work the hardest
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I could. My designs became a necessity. To do something I am passionate about and turn that passion into a thriving business takes a lot of time, effort and balance. I feel really lucky that no matter what I have been through, I am able get up and do something every day that I love. My kids, creating designs and my clients are things that keep me determined, motivated and inspired.” Q: Did you have a lucky break? A: “I work very hard every day—working when my kids go to bed and before they wake up so I can be present in the moment with them—but I feel very fortunate. There are two people who saw something in me and liked how I designed. One referred me to a custom line of reclaimed wood case goods that I am currently collaborating on. Another is a photographer who recommended me
as a designer for HGTV’s “Love it or List it.” I’m working on my third episode as a part of their amazing design team. I am so grateful for both of these incredible opportunities.” Q: Describe your designs in a couple of words. A: “My personal style is sophisticated simplicity.” Q: How do you fuse this mix of simplicity and sophistication? A: “I create designs that are timeless, but that also have unique and out-of-the-box aspects incorporated in each space. I think mastering the mix is important, which means combining new and old. Recently for a client we paired custom, metallic leather mid-century modern chairs with a vintage game table.” Q: Explain what it means when you say a space has “Lauren touches?” A: “There are three signature details of mine. One is the layering of textures. The larger upholstery pieces are a neutral palette, and I layer in pops of color in an accent chair, pillows or artwork. Secondly, you will see custom touches, like dressmaker details, which are budget-friendly ways I try to make a room feel more custom and high end.
The rooms I design are styled down to the last accessory. Lastly, I try to incorporate personal artifacts of my clients into all my designs. Maybe it’s their grandmother’s sketched pencil drawing or a family chest—anything that has meaning.” Q: What’s a favorite part of the design process? A: My consultations. I get excited to talk to my clients. I am a really good active listener, so I hear what things are important to my clients—it’s their money, it’s their home. Clients don’t know what they want a space to look like, but they always know what purpose they want it to have. As they talk, my mind starts spinning at what I can create in this space that they’ll love for years to come.” Q: What do your clients say about you? A: “Designers sometimes get a bad rap for being snobby or too expensive. This is not true for many of us. I am an open book, and that’s why my clients are so comfortable with me. One of the things I ensure is my attention to detail, being present in the moment and being non-judgmental. I think it’s critical to listen well and involve my clients to create their vision successfully.
3,180+/- sf Mountain View Home Open 1-4pm Sunday May 5
CULLOWHEE, NC • 469 Moody Bridge Road Custom-built 4BR 2.5BA 3,180+/- sf home built in 2012. Offering mountain views and multiple spaces throughout home. All four stories accessible by elevator. Top floor observatory is perfect for relaxing, bird watching, taking in the mountain views, and many other hobbies. Home also has a safe room with a vault door and its own ventilation system. Exterior features include a greenhouse, solar panels and yet other efficiency features. Enjoy the mountain views on the wrap around decks with easy to maintain Trex decking. Relax in privacy with over 7 acres, and 360 degree views. Located less than 5 miles from Western Carolina University. Nominal Opening Bid: $150,000 Bid Online Only at auctionnetwork.com May 20 - 22 Prefer Not to Wait for the Auction? Submit a Pre-Auction Offer!
800.801.8003 • williamsauction.com/Cullowhee NC JERRY E KING RE LIC 22778; WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS MRKTG SRVCS, INC. RE LIC C6474; WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS FIRM AUC LIC 7725 BUYER’S PREMIUM (BUYER’S FEE IN WI) MAY APPLY.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION . THE NEWS & OBSERVER . SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2019
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PIANO SALE AT
NC STATE UNIVERSITY Pianos and Digital Pianos available for public purchase this weekend! North Carolina State University has had the use of new first-class pianos on a no-cost basis for the 2018-2019 school year. This arrangement is provided through an association with the Rockley Family Foundation. These instruments, instruments provided to other institutions and instruments made available by our manufacturing partners will be sold to perpetuate this valuable program. • Very Large Selection of Grands, Baby Grands, Player Grands, Uprights (Vertical) & Digital Pianos. • Famous brands include Kawai, Shigeru Kawai, a selection of vintage Steinway & Sons, Yamaha and many others. • Most less than one year old and significantly discounted from new retail price. • Special No-Interest Financing w.a.c. • Tuned and Warranted by Maus Piano.
In most cases, a substantial portion of your purchase is considered as a charitable contribution to the Rockley Family Foundation and may be TAX DEDUCTIBLE. (You should consult with your own tax advisor to the individual deductibility of any such contributions.)
by appointment Thurs - May 2nd, Fri - May 3rd Sat Morn - May 4th
for information & available appointment times call:
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final public day Sat - May 4th 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
event held at Price Music Center 2620 Cates Ave Raleigh NC 27695
(919) 624-3207
FIVE OF BURNS’ MUST-HAVE’S FOR INSPIRATION Her Three Children “My children inspire me to be my best self every day as a single mom and business owner. As parents, we need to lead by example. It’s not what you are handed in life, but it’s how you overcome obstacles to show up as your best self.” Mindfulness “Meditation really helps start my day. I’m working on this as I find it difficult sometimes to shut my brain down to meditate successfully. During the day, I try to practice being present in the moment—with my children, with my business; it brings a lot of peace.” Travel “When I travel, I always look at details of things. One of my favorite places is Charleston and the ornamental architecture. I have drawn so much inspiration from this city.” Client’s Personal Artifacts “When I start a design process, I say, ‘Is there anything that’s important to you?’ Maybe it’s their grandfather’s artwork or more recently it was a bird bath a client’s husband had proposed to her by. And yes, I worked that birdbath into the design.” Nature “I am training for a 10K. When I am running, I see color and textures in nature. I prefer a neutral palette with pops of color, so in nature I will see an orchid or a piece of driftwood. You will always see something green and alive in my designs.”
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straight talk|
Afraid of beige Who knew choosing neutrals could be so intimidating? by Allen Norwood
Entryway painted in Poised Taupe / Sherwin-Williams
H
omeowners are intimidated by paint color. That’s hardly a secret. In fact, some are positively petrified by the very idea that they might have to choose one color over another. What has intrigued me is that they might be most intimidated by the gentlest, friendliest hues—the neutrals. This gray vs. that beige? OMG! How in the world can folks be afraid of beige? Emily Kantz wasn’t surprised at all when I asked that question. She’s an interior designer with the color marketing team at Sherwin-Williams, and shared a couple of reasons quiet neutrals stimulate such loud responses. One is that, when you finally choose a neutral, you’re likely to fill your home with it. Maybe every wall in every room. “More and more, you’re using it all over the house,” Kantz says. “You need to make a good choice about your neutral because you’re going to be using it ev-
erywhere. It is a big commitment.” “They’re having a big sale this weekend!” she says with a laugh. “I need to buy five gallons!” The second reason is that beiges are not just beige, and grays are not just gray. Most of the time there are subtle undertones—warm reds and yellows, cooler blues and greens—that can be hard to discern in the paint store. They’re hard to see until you get them home, paint the great room walls and discover that your gentle neutral clashes with your sofa. Indeed, Kantz says, “It’s very hard to find a clean, pure beige or a clean, pure gray.” So, how do you choose? At the paint store, select a double handful of paint chips in colors you think might work. Be sure to take them to the front of the store to see them in natural light. Don’t scrimp; take plenty. When you get home you’ll be able to see those
undertones and how they vary from chip to chip. “If you take a bunch,” Kantz says, “you’re going to start to see that this one is red, this one is blue.” If it helps, Kantz and other color trend watchers at Sherwin-Williams say neutrals are getting warmer. Gray has dominated for a while now. But lots of grays are cool, with those blue and green undertones. While “builder beige” is not staging a big comeback, she says, Sherwin-Williams customers are choosing warmer grays and other neutrals. “Taupe. Not taupe from the ‘90s—taupe got a bad rap in the ‘90s— but a modern taupe.” A favorite is Poised Taupe. The company’s five most popular grays are Agreeable Gray, Repose Gray, Worldly Gray, Mindful Gray and Anew Gray. Top beiges are Accessible Beige, Kilim Beige—a favorite of Charlotte designers—Softer Tan and Balanced Beige.
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When you narrow your choices, buy small samples of paint. Paint patches on your walls, or paint pieces of cardboard large enough to give you a real feel for the color. Paint patches on several spots in the room, or move the cardboard sample around so you can see the color on different walls at different times of day. Be sure to place your sample close to dominant features like cabinetry and brick fireplaces. If you need to look for other paint colors that complement your neutral, remember that color experts like Emily Kantz have done much of the work for you. Paint companies present colors in collections that work well with each other. “Yes, it’s good to stay within that color strip,” she says.
Allen Norwood: homeinfo@charter.net
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