Worth the Paint
Enjoy the freedom to let your personality shine through your home. Embrace the opportunity to create drama with a bold accent wall, contrasting trim, or an unexpected paint detail. Some of my favorite ideas I've seen are painted headboards, a hallway where every door is a different color, or a brightly painted ceiling that completely transforms a room.
Creating these intentional and memorable moments in a home is one of my absolute favorite things to do for clients, or better yet, to empower them to do themselves.
If you create a vibrant wall to showcase your artwork, you're not overcommitting or making a permanent, expensive change. Instead, you're creating a space that will likely become one of your favorites.
Look at your home with fresh eyes. Where could you add a little surprise? A little delight? Those small, thoughtful details often become the spaces that bring us the most joy. And that's where the fun begins! Brainstorming and planning those special moments of beauty and personality that make a house truly feel like home.
Color Confidence
Choosing paint can feel overwhelming, but a few simple guidelines can make the process much easier. Here are a few tips that will help you build your color confidence and create the greatest impact in your space.
Follow the 60-30-10 Rule
Creating a balanced color palette is simple with the 60-30-10 rule:
60% of the room is your dominant color (typically walls)
30% is your secondary color (furniture, rugs, or drapery)
10%is your accent color (pillows, artwork, and accessories)
Gray Isn't Always Gray
A neutral gray can appear warm when placed next to blue and cool when placed next to red. This is why finding the "perfect gray" can be so tricky. The surrounding colors significantly influence how it reads.
Use Color to Change the Feel of a Room
Warm colors tend to advance or feel closer, while cool colors recede or appear farther away.
For example:
A long, narrow room can feel wider by painting the side walls a light, cool color and the end wall a darker, warmer shade.
A high ceiling can feel lower and cozier when painted a darker color.
Avoid Stark White in Windowless Rooms
A bright, pure white can feel flat and sterile in spaces without natural light. Instead, opt for whites with soft undertones of beige, gray, or cream to create warmth and depth.
Pay Attention to Undertones
Before committing to a color, consider how it interacts with adjoining walls and trim. Yellow and cream undertones can sometimes appear dingy next to certain whites. Hold paint samples against your baseboards, door frames, and crown molding to ensure everything works together.
Know Where to Change Colors
In open-concept spaces, color transitions work best at natural breaking points. A 90-degree turn between the kitchen and living room, for example, creates a perfect place to shift from one color to another.
Don't Sample Against White Alone
A paint sample on a white wall will often appear darker than it actually is, leading you to choose a lighter shade than intended. Compare your sample against furniture, fabrics, or flooring for a more accurate perspective.
Prime Before Painting Over Dark Colors
When covering a dark or highly saturated color, primer is your best friend. Quality paint-and-primer combinations can help, but particularly dark colors may still require two coats of primer, which is often more cost-effective than applying several extra coats of paint.
Paint Last When Possible
If you're installing new flooring or purchasing significant furniture pieces, bring those elements into your home first. Then choose a wall color that complements everything else. Paint is one of the easiest elements to change, so let your larger investments guide the decision.
Before You Watch Paint Dry
The painting process takes patience… Even before you’re standing in front of a bedroom wall with trim taped, a roller in hand, and a gallon of a rich hue you love. Choosing the right paint takes time, thought, and a bit of research. Done well, it also helps you avoid “paint panic” later.
Two pieces of advice: don’t rush, and don’t take so long that you end up frozen in indecision. The goal is to find that sweet spot between being intentional and becoming overwhelmed.
My Favorite Neutrals
Sherwin-Williams
Taupe of the Morning (SW 9590)
City Loft (SW 7631)
Modern Gray (SW 7632)
Shoji White (SW 7042)
Shiitake (SW 9173)
White Sesame (SW 9586)
Pure White (SW 7005)
Benjamin Moore
Simply White
Classic Gray
Behr
Ultra-Pure White
Farrow & Ball
All White
Wevet
Roasted Macadamia
My Favorite Accent Colors
Sherwin-Williams
Caviar (SW 6990)
Evergreen Fog (SW 9130)
Farrow & Ball
Off Black
Brinjal
Roasted Macadamia
Benjamin Moore
Calico Blue
My Favorite Trim Colors
Benjamin Moore
Decorator’s White
White Wisp
Metropolitan
Sherwin-Williams
Alabaster (SW 7008)
Shoji White (SW 7042)
Farrow & Ball
Off Black
Choosing the Right Finish
Paint sheen can completely change the look and feel of a room.
Matte: My personal favorite. It creates a rich, velvety finish and hides imperfections beautifully
Eggshell: A great option if you need something easier to clean
Semigloss: Perfect for baseboards and moldings
Satin Enamel: Durable and practical for cabinets while maintaining a softer appearance
Farrow & Ball also makes a beautiful matte-finish cabinet paint that is both durable and incredibly elegant.
Why does Color Matter?
Color enriches our experiences. It evokes memories, shapes moods, and influences how we feel in our homes. The shades we surround ourselves with can create calm, inspire creativity, or simply make everyday moments feel more beautiful.
Give yourself permission to experiment. Paint can always be changed, but the joy of creating a space that reflects who you are is worth every brushstroke.
Take a moment to look around
What colors are you naturally drawn to?
Which of these shades reflects the mood and style you want your home to carry right now?
Where could you create a painted moment of whimsy, comfort, or quiet refreshment?
And most importantly… are you feeling brave enough to pick up a brush?
xoxo
Lilianna
