One of the first questions we learn to answer as kids is "What is your favorite color?" It's a quick way to make a connection and assert your individuality. If I'm honest, my favorite color has never really changed. I get charmed by other colors temporarily, but I always come back to blue. As kids we knew our favorite color by how it made us feel. We don’t immediately connect the colors of our lives to places or memories, but dig a little deeper. You might be surprised.
One Sunday morning after sleeping in I wandered into the living room/kitchen area of my first solo apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Through sleepy eyes I was wishing I had woken up on Cape Cod instead of hearing the sounds of the city. As I sat with my cup of iced tea, it dawned on me that I had designed my “cozy” little living room in the colors of Cape Cod. The carpet was green and blue with a sandy colored background. The sofa was blue. The artwork, the pillows, and even the English pine antiques I had collected were in the colors of The Cape.
I hadn’t done this knowingly, and it definitely didn’t have a costal vibe. It just felt fresh and happy to me. I continue to use these colors, in different shades and different ways, as the years have passed. The colors of Cape Cod, with a hint of purple hydrangea and lavender sunset are simply my colors. They hold deep meaning and memories of family and our Cape Cod home, and surrounding myself with these colors feels soothing to my soul.
Still don't know what your signature colors are? I’ve had clients that say, “Anything but blue because my Mom had blue.” Instead of focusing on what you don’t like or want, focus on what you do want. Give yourself some space. What colors are in your closet? What colors are already in your home that you are drawn to? What coffee table books do you own? Open them up and look for colors that evoke a response in you. What about the artwork on your walls? What we have chosen to live with, whether purposeful or not, tells a story.
Keep it simple. You don’t need a full on rainbow. A color palette of 3 or so colors and their respective shades and tints will be more than enough. It’s always important to include a neutral too. Once you know your palette, you can elevate it and make deliberate choices that make your space feel more "you."
You can design in neutrals that lean towards your colors too. The wallpaper in my dining room is a silvery grasscloth with a slightly blue undertone. In no way does it scream “Cape Cod” or even reveal a lot of color, but it does flow seamlessly with the surrounding rooms that have decidedly more color.
Whether a color evokes a memory or just a happy feeling, pay attention to it and build on it. Think about pulling this color into your space. It’s ok to start slow. You don’t need to pull up the flooring or tile the bathroom in your color palette. You can start small. Start bringing in touches of your palette to places that can be easily changed, like paint colors, peel and stick wallpaper, pillows, or artwork. Pay attention to how these changes make you feel. Do you light up a little bit when you see them? If so, you are on the right track.
When you start discovering your colors, layer them though different design elements for a sense of balance and depth. Plopping 5 red pillows on your neutral couch is not a story. Finesse it a bit more. Keep your eye open for small, unusual ways to build up your color story. I am a big fan of small colorful artwork that can be tucked into a bookshelf for a pop of color. Below is a work by fellow artist and friend Alicia Chimento.
A signature color palette is a powerful tool for personalizing your home. It will bring familiarity and connection, and it will ground your design style. What is your signature palette? Dig deep and see what amazing things you find.
Need help refining your colors? Jump on our email list: We are launch virtual room design services this month and we can help you finesse your colors into a elegant, timeless design.
