In the 2021 December Issue of Elle, editor-in-chief Nina Garcia notes that designers turn toward neutrals for the new year. Much like florals in spring, clean slates dominate the visuals at the start of each calendar. The shift breaks away from the vibrance of holiday tones, offering a fresh start to the new year — at least in our color combinations.

Neutral Colors

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These neutral colors have inspired several of my new year projects, especially as those California tans continue to dominate the design world. As much as I enjoy calming tones — reminding me of clean stationary, gallery walls, and book pages — I expect a quick turn toward vibrant colors this year.

The emotional chaos of 2020 and lifestyle purgatory of 2021 begs for a break. I won’t be surprised if the richest tones of bygone decades are jumping out of us in the coming weeks.