Brown Is Back: Five Ways I’m Letting It Take Over My House (and My Closet)
I never fully broke up with brown in my home. While the rest of the design world spent a decade chasing gray everything (gray walls, gray floors, gray sofas ).My home has always been full of antiques with a mixture of tones. We tend to gravitate toward the painted, decorated pieces, but natural wood has never been far behind. I wore a lot of brown once when my hair was still dark brown. Once it went white, I put brown away, convinced it would wash me out. I’m only now finding my way back to it.
But there’s no denying it now: brown is officially having its moment again. Brown furniture, the kind our mothers grandmothers, (and moi) collected, is suddenly the thing designers can’t stop talking about. And over on the fashion side, brown has quietly replaced black as the color everyone is reaching for first. Richer, warmer, and perhaps more flattering on most of us over 60 than a flat black ever was.
So this week’s five favorites live at the intersection of those two worlds. Home and wardrobe, both leaning into brown, both proving that the “new neutral” isn’t beige at all. It’s brown. Let’s chat about Brown Is Back: Five Ways I’m Letting It Take Over My House (and My Closet).
1. A Real Wood Chest (Please, Save It From the Curb)
If you have an inherited “brown” antique cupboardd or a walnut chest sitting in a guest room because you didn’t know what to do with it, this is your sign. Brown case goods, the ones with actual grain and patina and a little history in them, are back in a way that makes all those white-painted dupes look like what they are: a trend that already came and went. Mix a vintage brown dresser or a leather chair into a room with linen, brass, and something unexpected on top and it reads current, not dated. I am so glad that what I have had in my (collected home) is once again apparently “chic”.
Fave Birch Lane “Brown Furniture” Sale Items
2. A Rich Brown Leather Bag
This is the fashion half of the equation, and it might be the easiest switch on this list. If black has been your default bag color for the last decade, try brown for a season and see what happens. It’s softer against most skin tones, it pairs beautifully with denim and cream and olive, and it somehow looks more expensive than black even when it isn’t. I will be reaching for anything in a rich brown tone come fall, and it goes with almost everything I own.
Shop My Favorite Leather Bags
3. Tortoiseshell Anything
It is no mystery I am a huge tortoiseshell anything fan.Tortoiseshell is brown’s fancier cousin, and it’s everywhere right now, on eyewear, on jewelry, . There’s something about the pattern that keeps brown from feeling flat or heavy. If you’re not ready to commit to a full brown sofa, a tortoiseshell lamp base or a pair of sunglasses is a low-risk way to test the waters.
Shop My Fave Tortoise Accessoriese Here
My Favorite Tortoise Home Accessories
4. A Camel Coat That Actually Fits
Every woman my age owns a camel coat. Fewer of us own one that’s been tailored properly in the last five years. If your camel coat is doing more hiding than flattering, this is the year to either get it altered or replace it with one cut for the body you have now, not the one you had when you bought it. Camel, n coat form, is quietly one of the most age-flattering colors there is. It warms up your whole face in a way black coats simply don’t.
Shop My Favorite Camel Coats
5. Warm Wood Tones in the Kitchen
This is the one that’s sneaking into everyone’s inspiration boards. After years of white kitchens and then a hard swing into black cabinetry, warm walnut and oak tones are creeping back in, especially on islands and open shelving. You don’t need a full kitchen remodel to get this look. A butcher block cutting board left out on the counter, a set of wood-handled utensils, even swapping cool metal hardware for something in a warm bronze, all of it nods to the same shift. Brown is coming home, literally.
Brown Outfits of the Week
The Frame jeans are from Nordstrom Rack, the fabulous tunic from Johnny Was. Love the new Gentle Souls Driving mocs in rich brown suede, absolutely adore the pricey Parker Thatch bag (I was gifted the same bag in leopard and carried it to NYC). I have also linked some less expensive calf hair options. Accessories from Raen, Bauble Bar and Machete.
The Gap is back in a big way under the tutelage of Zac Posen. Keep your eye on the entire line. This bandana print sweater is a dupe of another famous designer. It comes in many colors and I love it!
What I love about this particular trend is that it isn’t asking us to buy something entirely new. It’s asking us to look again at what we already have, that dresser we almost sold, that camel coat in the back of the closet, and see it with fresh eyes. That’s a trend I can get behind at any age. How about you? Are you reassessing your relationship with brown or are you absolutely not on board?
If you missed any of my Sunday favorites you can find them here
Want more of this week’s finds? Head over to see what my pals are featuring
Classic Casual Home
Most Lovely Things
Some links in this post may be affiliate links.
Maybe it is because my maiden name was Brown, but I have always loved brown! My home is full of dark brown wicker, antique chests, and an old pine Welsh cabinet full of chippy Mexican plates. It all speaks of warmth, coziness, and well, home.
One thing I do in Fall is switch my usual pastel nail colors to rich BROWN! It is such an elegant look and really works so well with all the fall fashion colors.
Thanks for reminding us how much we love brown!
I’m so happy!!! Brown is back, and brown furniture is back! I have to admit that I never really “felt” the shift away from wood grain furniture, even though I can see the virtue of light and airy spaces. I recently remodeled my kitchen with wood cabinets, and almost had to talk people into letting me do so. And I love vintage wood furniture and beautiful wood grain. There are so many great pieces of vintage wood furniture still out there available.
I have also found myself realizing how much better brown is on me than black. And it goes with almost every other color. And no leather is more beautiful, imo, than brown, cognac, caramel. I have a small collection of vintage brown handbags, and they go with everything. And don’t get me started on cowhide and goat leather/suede, which come in exquisite colors and color combinations. I love that Betty handbag!
Thanks for, as always, a great post.
Hi Elissa
So great to hear from someone “team brown”. I never got rid of it in my home either. We have natural wood pieces, pieces with original paint and grained pieces that have my heart!!
Elissa thank you for weighing in. Isn’t it fun when a color you love is “on trend” (hate that word). Olive is a favorite of mine, and I was thrilled when it was so popular!
Trends will always come and go in the ever money making market. Brown furniture is a classic staple.
Hi Nancy
So true and we are all wise enough at our age to wear those colors which are most flattering. If you are a brown lover this is your season to shine!
Thank you for this post about brown! I was looking for brown clothing pieces last Fall and hope this new emphasis will bring in brown cardigans and tortoise jewelry. Love antique brown furniture used carefully so as not to weigh space down. I have several very old brown furniture items that I have lugged around for years! A wooden framed large mirror was dumped on the sidewalk as a couple decided to move and had squeezed as much as they could in their VW van in 1968; this could not fit and so it was offered to me. I have had it ever since and it has survived 8 moves. This is not replaceable as it was most likely part of a set at some point. I think the old factories in the early 1900s made large quantities that succumbed to ‘new’ themes in furnishings. There is a story behind it all! This style is not my younger family’s taste so it will move on to hopefully another admirer at some point. that you, Donnie
Hi Donnie
Love this story!!
I bought a Talbot’s double breasted camel peacoat on eBay this summer. It looks like it’s never been worn (although it’s at the cleaners with the other three wool coats I bought for winter.) It also cost me less than $23 with shipping and taxes. That gave me room to splurge a little more on a full length Ralph Lauren camel coat, also bought on eBay for a really good price. For chocolate brown items, I found a lovely lightweight diamond quilted Chico’s chocolate brown zip up jacket, perfect for early Fall, and a chocolate brown Eileen Fisher crinkle zip up, advertised as a “jacket,” that I’ll be wearing as a top, it’s so flattering. I’m 75 and fair skinned but my hair is very slow to turn gray. It looks more like I have highlighted brown hair, so I can still wear a lot of colors that I wore when I was younger. All of these clothes were bought on eBay from reputable sellers. I haven’t been disappointed with an eBay purchase yet and I’ve been buying clothes there for over 15 years now. I only buy clothes advertised as being in excellent condition, includes lots of photos, measurements, and a seller who accepts returns. There are some brands, like Chico’s, that I know any size 2 top will fit so I don’t need measurements for those. It’s my way of having nice clothes at a fraction of the price. That leaves me more money for my fabrics and yarns, smile.
Hi Nanci
As you know I am a huge eBay, Poshmark etc shopper as well. If I am coveting a designer item like your RL camel hair coat. I always look on eBay first!
Cindy I love this post. I am for brown furniture and have never let go of my wood chests and tables. In fact I’m getting another one today on Facebook Marketplace. I think they really ground the lighter colors and are the earthy bit we need in a lighter home. Also good to know about brown handbags- still got ’em and of course camel coats! The classics. We can do it all with what we own right? Brilliant.
Hi Kim
I adore camel…I wish it looked better on me. I can pull it off if it is not right next to my face. I bet you can find great stuff on Facebook Marketplace in your area!
Hi Cindy,
I wear so much brown, I just love the color and finding tweeds and knits that have natural tones in them. I recently snagged a real bargain of a dark chocolate brown barn jacket which I am excited about for Fall.
Thanks for a wonderful post Cindy. Happy week!
Hi Francesca
Don’t you love a bargain? Always shop the resellers first!!
Cindy! I’m on board with the triumphant return of brown … all shades from chocolate to camel. I do love a camel coat. And the loafers you’ve linked … perfection. xo
Hi Juliet
I am heading your way right this very minute. I will text you about meeting for lunch sometime this month!
Finally! Our Brown leather contemporary sectional is back! It’s probably 20 years old & still looks brand new. I’m going to have some fun accessorizing to update our look.
I too, used to wear a lot of brown with my auburn hair but stopped as I turned salt & peppery. Pulling out my deep brown leather jacket that I’ve saved all these years. It was my first paycheck purchase in high school at this high end boutique in the 70’s. I thought I was rich!
Hi Julie
Love that story!!
My mom (who would have been 100 this year) loved brown above all else I think. She would be delighted with the colors of this autumn because she was partial to brown, olive, camel. I hadn’t purchased any clothes in brown in years but now have a pair of summer dress sandals and a sundress in a cream/brown sort of animal print. Planning a girls shopping weekend in September. Will be on the look out for this color of the season. (And I am so glad to bring out a Ralph Lauren purse in a dark brown pebble leather that I bought years ago.)
Hi Lin
!
Cindy! I’m with you on brown! I love it for my wardrobe and my home, mixed with other neutrals or even red! It is the most versatile color, IMO!
Love your leather counter stools in your gorgeous “brown” kitchen! Pinned!
xo
annie
Hi Annie
You look great in brown! I love my counter stools but the counters not so much!!
We have plenty of brown furniture in our 110 year old Tudor house. As for wardrobe, I’ve always preferred brown or navy to black, which has tended to wash me out, even more so as I’ve gotten older. But there are many years in which brown clothing is hard to find. Not this year – even in summer there were plenty of brown items in summer fabrics like linen and lace/eyelet. I always think you have to buy when “your” colors/cuts are available. and just as with animal prints, I think of tortoiseshell as a neutral, in accessories for wardrobe or for home.
Hi Sheila
I think you are absolutely right. That is why I penned this post. If you are a brown lover this is your year!!
I have a beautiful camel coat from my mother-in-law. It still has the silk label from Saks Fifth Avenue with her name embroidered into it. I had it tailored several years ago, so it fits me better. It’s the perfect coat to wear when the weather gets cool and it has such good memories.!
I too love tortoiseshell. Back when we still had access to OKA, I bought quite a few tortoiseshell glasses, dishes and pitchers from them. I have a small tortoiseshell cup on my vanity with q-tips in it!
So glad brown furniture is making it come back. I never let go of mine so I’m back in style.!!
Thanks for a great post ,
Martha
Hi Martha
I think tortoise goes with everything and a great camel coat is hard to beat!!
I have to admit that, as far as clothing, I was a “never” brown person. But I’ve been coming around to it. I’ve been using it more as an accent color to warm-up and soften black pieces. As someone with a winter complexion, I’ve found that the key to brown is finding the right color brown. For me, very dark and cool browns work well, and the trick is to avoid browns that have a yellowish or orange undertone.
Hi Staci
You are absolutely right about finding the right brown!! Thanks for weighing in!
I’ve always loved brown. I painted my childhood bedroom brown. My last two bedrooms had a deep chocolate feature wall. Our home displays our collection of antique wood furniture.
In my closet: dark brown pants, jeans, linen trousers, sweaters ranging from deep brown to beige and caramel and lots of brown shoes, booties, and sandals.
Here, brown never ‘came back’ because it never left.
Hi PJ
I love beautiful browns…I just wished they were more flattering on me!!
I love brown and Camel on others but not for me. I’m a winter palette and have a carefully curated wardrobe. So no going back. With olive skin and going silver it rarely works for me so I’m going to pass and look forward to seeing others enjoy it. But you never know!!
I agree Leslie. Brown does nothing for my complexion and hair color. I’m also a winter palette. Brown washes me out. When I did wear brown years ago, people would ask if I was sick. I have to sit this one out.
I do have various shades of brown furniture though and love it.
Hi Rosie
Brown is not my most flattering color either. It somewhat worked when I had dark brown hair. I do love it on others though!
Hi Leslie
Yes we will just have to enjoy it on those who can wear it well!
Oh, Where can I find that beautiful Zebra print bag in your “Early Fall Outfit” photo??? Happy to hear brown is back. To me, it never left!
Judy, it’s the Zebra Jack bag from Parker Thatch. They make great bags! It’s a woman – owned company in California.
Hi Linda
I love Parker Hatch bags. I have three…all of which I love. I was recently gifted the Jack and I highly recommend it. I am coveting the brown that is currently sold out!
Hi Judy
It is linked below the photo. The brown is currently sold out but I am sure she will bring it back! Email Parker Thatch and ask. Actually I will contact them too.
Always loved wooden antiques, inheriting really nice pieces from my mom. And I agree with Mary Ann – LOVE those loafers! 🤎
Hi Gray
They are sending me those loafers yippee! You will be seeing them soon. Hopefully they will accomodate my bunion!
When we moved from our family home into a townhouse a year ago, we brought a lot of brown furniture with us. Some we bought early in our marriage and is 40+ years old! We have a few painted pieces mixed in. We also have a cognac leather sofa, so “brown” is pretty well represented in our home. However, as a “winter,” I have very little brown in my wardrobe–a pair of cognac loafers is about it. My neutrals include black, navy, gray, and white to compliment my cool skin tone. I hope to get a new gray wool coat this winter. I enjoy seeing brown on others but won’t be wearing it myself!
Hi Barb
Thanks for weighing in. You won’t be seeing much brown on me either!!
I’m big on brown too…and I love how it mixes so well with blue…like in your outfit…and I want those suede loafers!!
Brown and blue are so pretty for fall in the home! I agree Mary Ann!
Mary Ann you look great in brown with your coloring and hair!!