Connecting Color & Story

For so many people, deciding what color to paint their walls is a downright debilitating decision. There are quite literally 50 shades of grey to choose from, and without a trained eye, it’s hard to know what’s going to “work.”

And speaking of grey, how many of us settle for some neutral (white, beige, grey) because we actually have no idea what we like, and we’re scared to try something bold? Listen, neutrals area amazing — they’re calming, cohesive and very easy to work with. There’s room for multiple truths when it comes to color: we can create calm and cohesion AND explore with and beyond neutrals.

No shade

See what I did there?

It’s time to stop playing it safe and start coloring your world for the joy of it.

When it comes to creating a home that’s an authentic expression of who you really are, color is one of the most magical ways (really!) to create an environment that makes you feel alive.

The Magic of Color

Color carries archetypal energy – meaning that the feelings and emotions they elicit transcend language and are generally felt by most people. This isn’t always true, but as a generalization, it’s understood that soft pastels like blue and lavender are calming, for example.

So, when choosing a color palette or even just a single can of paint, it’s crucial to think about how you want to feel every day and then find tones and shades that make you feel that way. You can even flip it and start by listing your favorite colors and how they make you feel and then selecting a palette or color from there.

Ask Yourself:

How do I want to feel in my space?
What colors make me feel that way?
What are my favorite colors, and how do I feel when I look at them? What do they remind me of?

Write down your favorite colors or shades and the emotions you feel, and see if you can trace those feelings to any people, places or things that hold those feelings. It’s a beautiful way to discover what you love, color by color.

I know choosing color is overwhelming. Putting together a palette is intimidating. That’s why I dedicate an entire section of my design process, The Foundry Formula, to selecting and implementing a color palette. You can learn more about the process at this blog post or skip the fluff and get straight to painting here.

If you feel totally frozen with color or any other part of the home-styling process, contact me today, and we’ll work together to create a palette that’s right for you – minus endless swatches and samples.