Neutrals need nuance to avoid flatness. Seek undertones that relate to your materials: a warm greige beside oiled oak, or a cool stone gray near nickel and Carrara. Add dimension with microtextures—bouclé, slubbed linen, hand-troweled plaster—that catch light differently across the day. Repeat core hues across rooms for continuity while letting textiles shift saturation. The result is a foundation that supports artwork, florals, and seasonal accents without ever feeling blank, sterile, or showroom staged.
A single saturated moment can anchor a space: a moody velvet bench, lacquered tray, or deep-toned silk shade. Keep accents compact but meaningful, avoiding scattershot color. Echo the note subtly—perhaps in book spines or a ceramic glaze—so it feels intentional. Evaluate from multiple vantage points to ensure the accent strengthens the composition rather than hijacking it. True luxury reads as restraint, where color heightens emotion while respecting the room’s overall poise and flow.