Design Notes
Contrast is a design element that is used often since it makes a statement, creates visual interest, and provides a touch of elegance to the space. White and Black, dark mixed with warm metals like gold, copper, and brass. Many interior designers are choosing to use this tool and these color combinations more in their creations, and it seems that this trend is only increasing in popularity. Let’s explore the different ways you can add dark colors to your space, balanced with enough light to make a beautiful presentation in your home that both you and your guests will enjoy.
Why Contrast?
The purpose of contrast is to draw attention to certain features and highlight special areas in the design. Contrast also has the ability to organize the area and develop a design hierarchy by guiding the eye to certain items or focal points. The stronger the contrast, the greater the emphasis. Here are a few additional tips.
A Balancing Act
While contrast is a beautiful thing, it still requires a correct balance. If it leans heavily in either direction, it produces the opposite effect. Too much dark color and the space can become too heavy, and a lean toward light can leave the room feeling empty. Here are some tips for creating a unified design:
- Dividing the wall color: Painting the upper wall and lower wall two different colors, with the darker color on the bottom, can create a stunning effect for the room.
- Mix materials: Dark metal lamps with light shades, a dark couch with bright pillows rich in texture, art pieces with a darker palette against a white wall, or wood accents.
- Include light: This is good because it adds warmth to the space, especially in the evening.
- Little things: Hardware and plumbing are an easy way to add a pop without overdoing it.
Contrast, when done right, creates a design that captivates the eye. See how we accomplished this goal in this design project. Explore places like Pinterest to find inspirational photos you can bring to your design meeting.
The Benefits
There are many benefits to using contrast in your design. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Size control: By using the colors correctly, you can add or condense the feel of a room. Painting a ceiling and even the walls dark tends to make it feel cozier, while light walls open up a small space.
- Focal points: Do you want to highlight specific items in the home? Placing them against a strong contrast immediately draws the eye to them.
- Visual interest: Natural wood floating shelves set against a dark or light backsplash create amazing visual interest in the design.
- Bold: Bright patterns can make a strong statement and create a fun touch to the space.
The possibilities are endless and the choices abundant. There are many ways to design a space using contrast, meaning that whatever your style, it can be accomplished.
Granite, Quartz, Marble, or Quartzite?
These are the top contenders when it comes to selecting the perfect countertop material for your kitchen or bathroom. Each one brings its own strengths, aesthetic appeal, and practical considerations—making the decision both exciting and a bit overwhelming.
Granite is a natural stone known for its durability and unique, one-of-a-kind patterns. Quartz, on the other hand, is an engineered surface that offers a wide range of color options and is prized for its low-maintenance qualities. Marble stands out for its timeless elegance and heat resistance, though it requires more upkeep. Quartzite closely resembles marble in appearance but offers greater durability and easier maintenance.
When making your selection, it’s important to consider factors such as heat and stain resistance, ease of maintenance, and of course, budget. Below, we break down the key differences, pros, and cons of each material to help you determine which surface best suits your lifestyle, design vision, and practical needs.
The kitchen pantry is often one of the most underutilized yet high-potential spaces in the home. While it can easily become a catch-all for clutter, a well-designed pantry is a true hidden gem—capable of transforming the functionality of your kitchen. From storing oversized serving pieces to housing everyday essentials, a thoughtfully planned pantry helps keep countertops clear and mealtime prep more efficient.
Whether you have a compact pull-out pantry, a spacious walk-in, or a dedicated butler’s pantry, innovative organization is key. A well-designed pantry not only maximizes storage but also supports the flow of your kitchen. Below, we’re sharing a few of our favorite design ideas and practical tips to help you better utilize your pantry space—and maybe even inspire your next kitchen upgrade.
Our showroom’s grand opening was the culmination of two years filled with vision, planning, and hard work—a dream brought to life through dedication and passion. Now, as we prepare to celebrate our second anniversary, we find ourselves reflecting on how quickly time has passed. It feels like only yesterday that we opened our doors and welcomed our very first clients into the space we’ve come to love so much.
Join us as we take a walk down memory lane and revisit the milestones, challenges, and moments that brought us to Uptown Shelby. This anniversary isn’t just a celebration of time—it’s a celebration of growth, community, and the relationships we’ve built along the way.
Walker WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Greenbrook Design