Forget White Paint: HGTV Star Jenny Marrs' Go-To Neutral Is Warmer And More Inviting

For too long, white has been the dominating neutral in home decor. It is the color that we tend to pick when we want to stay safe and provide a backdrop to patterns and bolder shades in a room. However, interior designers are moving away from stark white and exploring more gentle neutrals that feel calm, inviting, and cozy. In 2026, pure white feels clinical, cold, and very outdated. But, if white isn't trendy anymore, what colors should we use as a neutral? Thankfully, designer Jenny Marrs from HGTV's "Fixer to Fabulous" is here to help us out. In a recent Instagram post, she named a specific paint color that she swears by. The color? Drop Cloth by Farrow & Ball. 

Drop Clop is a rich, earthy taupe shade that blends elements of grey and brown together with a cozy yellow undertone. It feels calm and muted, adding a certain depth to a room that stark white could simply never deliver. Marrs uses this color all the time in her work, saying that the neutral tone of it allows her to add layers and build up a style in a home. 

You can use this warm neutral paint color in so many spaces around your home. It suits living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and hallways, and can be used on walls, built-in units, floors, and skirting.

As a neutral should, Drop Cloth goes with various styles, from sleek, modern spaces to more traditional homes. This means that you can get creative with the colors you pair with this paint to really express yourself and your style in your space. For an airy, modern look, try pairing Drop Cloth with off-whites, for example, Farrow & Ball's School House White shade. To keep things bright, Drop Cloth can be used as an accent wall color, with the rest of the room painted in those relaxed, breezy white colors. 

Drop cloth is also a fantastic color to pair with darker or more saturated tones. A blue-gray or green shade, such as Pigeon by Farrow & Ball, can really add depth and intrigue to a space. While it's a slight detour from classic neutrals like beige and gray, this shade still feels pulled from nature, which is one of the simplest ways to make your home a sophisticated oasis. For something striking, Drop Cloth can also work alongside and help to balance out strong colors like charcoal, yellow, and red.