I use the word subdued rather than neutral. My oldest daughter is very 'adverse' to color (I call her boring LOL) and very linear. I finally found the quilt pattern to make for her - the 3D Illusion quilt. I used a very slightly offwhite background and a medium charcoal for the shadows. All the rectangles were neutral/subdued - beiges, light greys and soft sage and very light mauve. It had enough color for me to enjoy working on it, but, so very little color that she liked it.