The Paint Color That Jeremiah Brent Is Tired Of Seeing (& What To Do Instead)

Known for his exquisite and layered interiors, interior designer Jeremiah Brent works primarily in neutrals and earth tones to create spectacular spaces. This is why fans were surprised to hear that in an Instagram interview game with 1stDibs called, "Yes Please or No Thank You," Brent gave an emphatic pass to a design aesthetic that has dominated social media for years: millennial beige. "I'm over it. Which I know is very shocking because everybody thinks I only do beige, black, and white. But I don't like it," admits Brent. 

So what exactly is millennial beige? Also dubbed "sad beige" (with some people using the term in jest while others in complete disapproval) or "beigification," this design aesthetic, made popular by social media influencers, uses a monochromatic palette of various tones of beige and natural light wood. A natural reaction to the cool gray walls that dominated the 2010s, millennials forced a shift to a warmer palette, creating a trend that eventually gained the title of the generation that made it so sought-after. 

Critics of millennial beige say that without other contrast or color, the design movement is soulless, bland, and depressing. Designers like Brent focus on creating more dynamic neutral palettes by incorporating contrast, earth tones, textural variation, and a mix of materials to take their interiors beyond a box of beige. So back away from the trending-out paint samples and consider these tips for curating an interior color palette and aesthetic with more visual interest and depth.

One glance through Jeremiah Brent's design portfolio will tell you that, just because he dislikes beige-on-beige interiors, he is an absolute master at creating sophisticated and layered interiors that are primarily neutral. So how can you take a page out of Brent's book and step up your millennial beige interior to something more exciting, even if neutrals still make you happy? The key is to incorporate enough contrast to elevate the neutrals and break the monochromatic beige effect. 

You can use Brent-approved moody paint shades on trim, doors, windows, and molding and add black decor accents like ebonized furniture finishes, matte black lighting fixtures, and decorative objects. Rich wood tones can also add the depth and refinement that keeps a mostly neutral palette feeling polished. Think of the stunning contrast in timeless checkerboard stone floors or a white marble kitchen island with dramatic dark veining.

The other trick to make a neutral palette really pop is incorporating complementary earth tones. By tapping into the outdoor environment, our minds read these muted natural hues more like elevated neutrals rather than colors. Rust, terracotta, cognac, saddle, ochre, mustard, sage, forest, soft blues, and navy will bring the outdoor environment inside. This creates a timeless down-to-earth palette that is unlikely to become tiresome thanks to its organic roots. To finish off the look, add plenty of greenery to bring the palette to life, offsetting the neutral palette with natural vibrant tones.

Once you have honed in on your color palette, the next trick for a layered, dynamic interior like Brent's incredible spaces is to incorporate a mix of materials and finishes. A bit of repetition is essential for making sure the space feels cohesive by calling back to other elements. But, a balanced variety of materials creates depth and refinement (no beige-on-beige-on-beige!). 

The millennial beige aesthetic became a sign of affluence and elegance, paving the way for the minimalistic design concept of quiet luxury. This is a focus on authentic, refined, and high-quality pieces that are more thoughtful and sustainable. However, this intentionality can still be achieved when creating a Brent-inspired interior by investing in quality pieces in a dynamic array of finishes beyond beige.

In addition, choosing materials with a mix of textures creates a visual contrast that adds to the sophistication and richness of a space. For example, you can pair rough concrete with smooth brass, luxurious velvet with natural wovens, and suede-like plaster with imperfect forged iron. By mixing materials and textures, it ensures your space feels exciting and well-crafted, like there is always something new and interesting to discover.