Photography: Elise Scott
Neutral colour schemes are popular for a reason; they’re calming, soothing and can freshen up a tired interior in no time. However, the sophisticated neutral palettes that we are seeing emerge in 2025 to take us into 2026 are anything but vanilla. They’re more complex, with deeper, resonant bases. “There are many varieties of neutrals from the rich, warm hues through to stone and earth shades. There are lighter or darker tones as well as warm, rich hues,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux colour planning and communications manager.
A shining example is this elegant project by Silvia Roldan of Studio Esar. “The home’s original interior was really dark and cold, so we wanted to create a space of calm sophistication,” says Silvia. “We selected a palette of warm neutrals, with a focus on browns. Every colour you see, from green to deep eggplant tones, is grounded in brown, which gives the interiors a rich, warm and luxurious feel.”
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In the dining room, the wall panelling was painted in Dulux Subdue Quarter to complement the rich ceiling in Dulux Palo Verde. “The dark green ceiling immediately sets a grounded tone – it’s bold but not overpowering,” says Silvia. “This colour is further echoed in the wallpaper foliage, which creates a romantic, almost painterly atmosphere. It feels warm, nostalgic and connected.” The wall covering, Les Forêts ‘Dioré’ by Arte, was one of the first finishes Silvia chose for the home and a key starting point. The refined palette is carried through in the custom walnut dining table by Christopher Blank and the natural stone, Appenino River, with its soft red and pink veining.
“When working with a neutral palette, textures take on even greater significance”
Silvia Roldan, interior designer
How to create contrast in neutral interiors
Moving into the living room, again Silvia used muted greens, olives and warm taupes in the armchairs, rug and curtains, creating a soft and inviting feel. Adding texture in the space is tactile, quilted upholstery on the Moroso sofa. The plush materials add richness, while the tonal greens and pops of mauve elevate the design. “There’s a palette hierarchy in the room,” explains Silvia. “We started with neutrals; carpet, wall paint and curtain selections, and then began layering in different textiles and finishes. By adding in additional soft textiles, glass, timber, stone and ceramics, we created a tactile, rich room.”
“There are many varieties of neutrals from the rich, warm hues through to stone and earth shades”
Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux
Neutral bedroom palette
A restful palette unfolds in the bedroom, with walls in Dulux Soft Dove and Dulux Subdue Quarter on the trims – a gentle backdrop for the richer hues in this space. Silvia referenced tones in the Chasing Dreams artwork by Gabrielle Jones (via Studio Gallery) above the bed. “We often draw inspiration from art, and in this case, the selected piece was introduced midway through the design journey, bringing a unifying layer of colour and expression to the room,” she says. “Finding the right balance between a masculine and feminine space meant exploring sharper tones of inky blues, contrasted with nude pinks.”
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