When Ina Garten set out to refresh her East Hampton living room, the goal was clear: Lift the space without losing its cozy character. Her neutral living room had low ceilings and felt heavy, prompting a thoughtful update centered on light furniture, layered textures, and a subtle paint selection. Thankfully for us, the exact shade need not remain a mystery.
'During the pandemic, I decided to update the interior of our house in East Hampton. It was feeling heavy and dated. The house is a shingle-style farmhouse with low ceilings, so I chose light furniture and layers of neutral colors to make it feel airier but still warm. It’s easy to do something simple but hard to do something simple and interesting. I chose a palette of creams with warm brown and black accents,' Ina shares.
'I painted the walls and the ceiling all one color, Benjamin Moore's , then used the black stone coffee table to anchor the room, and I layered several rugs in different textures to make it feel warm. For me, the most important thing is that the seating area is small and everyone has a comfortable place to sit. The proof is in the pudding; I’ve had some wonderful dinner parties in this room!'
sits at the balance point of gray and beige, making it one of the most versatile greiges available. It features warm undertones that absorb natural light, preventing bright spaces from feeling washed out while keeping darker corners from turning muddy.
Shop the Ina Garten-Inspired Edit
Astoria Grand Beveled Accent Mirror
Inspired by Ina's mirror, this piece has the same antique-gold aesthetic that's hanging above the fireplace in Ina's space. Mounting it horizontally over a clean-lined mantel creates that same vintage feeling in a modern living room.
This IKEA piece would fit seamlessly into Ina’s space, echoing the soft tones of her walls and adding a plush layer of texture that echoes the room's coziness. Its subtle neutral weave is so versatile, and works with any paint color you may already have.
If you want a contemporary candle holder inspired by the one in Ina's living room, I found the perfect match. Created from metal and wood, it combines her modern style with functionality. Its minimalist design makes it a beautiful piece for any mantel.
FORMA Stool in Blackout Oak and Shearling
Recreating the depth of Ina’s space begins with this Forma Stool, best positioned right by your fireplace. Its plush shearling seat introduces rich texture, while the blackout oak legs provide architectural contrast. It's so sophisticated, and we imagine Ina-approved.
This sleek iron set includes three candlesticks, each featuring a tapered body, flared base, and a cup on top. The matte black finish makes them easy to match with any decor or color palette (starting with Edgecomb Gray, naturally).
Birch Lane Madaki Glass Vase
This vase exhibits a rounded silhouette and narrow neck that perfectly mirrors the arrangement of glass vessels displayed on Ina's coffee table. Adding this piece to a grouped collection of varying sizes captures that exact same look.
Ina's technique aligns with a broader design movement focused on understated spaces. Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti, sees this approach as a foundation for refinement.
'Neutral palettes have a way of signaling quiet luxury and carry the elegance of the old money aesthetic,' Daniel says.
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'Shades like warm mocha, champagne and classic ivory lend a space that feels unforced and classic. They mirror the natural tones of aged oak and raw linen, so the room feels inherently elevated rather than overly styled. When you choose neutrals with a little depth and warmth, you get a living room that feels timeless, crafted and beautifully assured in its simplicity.'
Recreating that sense of calm relies on deliberate details rather than heavy patterns. 'To capture the look, begin with a light coloured sofa to brighten the foundation and anchor it with ivory walls rather than stark white,' Daniel advises.
'Layer in textural pieces like linen cushions, a wool rug or a wooden coffee table, to build that sense of heritage richness without relying on bold patterns. Keep metals soft and understated; antique brass, brushed nickel or bronze detailing on lighting and hardware will echo the palette and reinforce the elegant restraint of the aesthetic.'
If those dinner parties are anything to go by, Ina’s approach proves that a beautifully simple room can still be the heart of a home.