Brown, I think I’m over you.

Clearly, I am a fan of Brown and consider it a practical color to incorporate into my home décor. But the barrage of Brown in all the shelter magazines has started to make me sick of it. I also hate the realization that my interiors may be falling victim to trendy design fads. I’m afraid that I might need to add Brown to zebra prints, ceramic garden stools, and faux red coral to my list of the overdone and overused in interiors. I’ve lost my desire for a Brown-walled foyer, and my plan now is to use Brown only where Boo camouflage is strongly needed—sofa, bed skirt, carpet borders—and otherwise only as an accent color and a way to tie a few rooms together.

I’d like to start a campaign for a new interior color to help us get over Brown. Pantone’s color for 2008 is “Blue Iris”—but frankly I don’t see that taking over Brown’s job in interiors—too bright and loud. I’ve seen a few rooms done in Aubergine—which I think is a more subtle choice. I’d like to see more from the Gray family-- Pewter (bold) or Dove (neutral). A deep green would work well in Brown’s place—perhaps Farrow & Ball’s “Green Smoke”, which is a wonderfully rich green/gray/blue color. For another neutral, a nice Butter yellow—pale and creamy, not lemony—I used F&B’s “House White” in my kitchen for that effect.

I feel a little guilty, advocating a switch from Brown, but I think it’s time. I do love Brown, deep down. It’s still the best color for dogs.