Making a neutral room feel expensive is rarely about finding one perfect shade. More often than not, it comes down to layering tones, textures, and materials in a way that feels natural. Take Maria Shriver’s California home as the perfect blueprint.
In her home, white walls, off-white linen curtains, woven shades, and natural wood come together to create a space that feels refined without looking overly styled.
It’s a thoughtful approach to decorating with neutrals, mastering the 'old money' aesthetic that has already dominated design conversations for the last few years. And why would this look fall out of fashion? It's expensive without being overpowering, which is all we want in our homes. And experts agree. Debbie Leigh, the design manager at ILIV, says the key is to create variation rather than matching every element.
Shop the Maria Shriver Old Money Edit
Inspired by the globe lamp on the table in Maria’s home, this piece relies on the power of juxtaposition. It exhibits a beautifully textured mercury glass sphere base that replicates the artisanal, hammered honeycomb pattern of her lamp.
A white orchid is one of the most stylish and versatile live flowers you can add to your home; just ask Maria. The green leaves bring in a touch of texture, while the white flowers have the same look as those in her space.
Serene Spaces Glazed Ceramic Bowl
Made with an organic edge and a subtle, muted finish, it embodies Maria's 'old money' palette. It proves that a single, carefully chosen ceramic accent can elevate an entire room, in a tone that will look just as good in a decade from now.
In her home, Maria proves the power of neutrals (so long as you know how to play with shape). She uses structural curves to add visual weight and warmth to her room – and this piece has a similar impact. It's truly stunning.
Framed Angel Painting: Impasto Oil on Canvas
Artwork brings instant character to a neutral room without clashing with the subtle palette. This impasto piece mirrors the artwork hanging on Maria’s wall, adding texture and history to gray or cream spaces.
To capture the warmth of Maria's home, swap stark white sheers for a textured flax-linen blend drapery. These from Amazon offer subtle light-filtering privacy while introducing the organic weave essential to a layered space.
‘Neutrals are at the heart of the old money aesthetic because they create a sense of timelessness, but the trick is to make sure they don’t become too predictable,’ she explains. ‘Rather than relying on one beige or cream throughout a room, I’d layer different tones to give your scheme more depth.’
Looking closely at Maria’s white living room, that principle is clear. The off-white drapes sit alongside textured bamboo blinds, a white desk, and warm walls. The shades are similar but not identical, which adds depth while keeping the overall palette light and cohesive.
When mastering the old-money look, texture is just as important. ‘Texture is particularly important in a neutral living room, so try mixing linens, velvets, woven fabrics and subtle patterns to add warmth,’ Debbie says. ‘I’d also introduce natural materials such as timber, stone and rattan, which bring an organic quality and stop the softer shades from feeling flat.’
Maria’s room puts that advice into practice with natural details throughout. A potted orchid and stone crystals sit on her console, while wooden frames and woven window treatment ideas bring warmth to the pale backdrop. These details keep the room from feeling too pristine and give the neutral palette a more lived-in quality.
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The final piece is personality. ‘The beauty of neutrals is that they give you the freedom to add personality elsewhere,’ Debbie says.
‘A patterned armchair, an antique piece of furniture, a beautiful rug or artwork will all bring character to the room without competing with the overall palette. For me, that is what makes the old money look work; it’s not about creating a perfectly matched room, but one that feels comfortable and as though it has evolved over time.’
That sense of history comes through in the traditional gilded frame and figurative artwork behind Maria. Against the softer backdrop, those pieces have room to stand out. It’s a reminder that the most successful neutral rooms are those that perfect color, texture, and personality – even if we can't all enjoy them bathed in California sun.