Color 2011 - Russet

Russet may be the perfect brown. It's neither too gray nor too red. It complements navy and black. It's the shoes that go with everything. Ok. That may have been too much.

Above is a room that, though the walls are quite dark, seems light and fresh. Clean lines, a subdued color palette and reflective surfaces open the room and keep it from seeming gloomy.

In the space seen above, russet can be see in the drapes, patterned chairs and hardwood floors. Again, neutrals are used to keep things light and airy. Here, rustic finishes and a mixture of checks, plaids and florals create a comfortable, country living room. Below, russet is used to differentiate the kitchen from the breakfast area. The contrast of light and dark helps this too.

The room below proves that brown goes well with bright colors. Here, it's a warmer choice than white for the punches of color throughout the dining area. It also counters the possibility of the room feeling too "primary" (red, yellow and blue) and amps up the sophistication factor.

The above bedroom blend crisp white linens and furniture with a graphic message of "Love" to make a clean, sweet bedroom. (PS. Note the silver peony headboard!)

Images 1, 2, 3 and 5 from House Beautiful. Image 4 from the Decorista.