Hey guys, I’m back with the very beginning stages of my MOTO (aka “Makeover Takeover”). I mentioned in my last post that my boyfriend and I are moving into a new apartment on August 1 and I am feeling the pressure to start thinking about my ever-approaching design process because we’re not bringing much with us. I don’t think I need to reiterate to you all that I have not done this before (this being designing an apartment for the INTERNET to see and judge), so it is all very exciting and absolutely terrifying.
So to get things rolling, what else could I do besides go on pinning frenzies aided by a glass of wine, in a desperate search for inspiration? My apartment is small but mighty and does not have a ton of architectural charm really, so my inspirations are that of small spaces, with DIY moments and storage solutions. In my very important research, I found out quickly that with an icebox style apartment such as mine (i.e. the visual interest of the inside of a freezer), all the charm and intrigue is going to come from styling and color. So, I got to really thinking about color as it applies to my design plan. Specifically, I began contemplating what color to paint the bedroom and/or kitchen, and how I could incorporate bold hues throughout our place in a way that would be cohesive and feel like us.
I did not want to embark on this color journey alone, and though I am extremely blessed to have team EHD guiding me in so many ways, the psychology of color was something I was very interested in learning about and implementing into this project I will soon call my home. I am a visual person, and I notice how color affects me in my daily life constantly. Red makes me feel powerful. Black makes me feel confident and sophisticated. Yellow and orange (in moderation) give my brain a happy energy boost. None of this is scientific but is certainly a very real thing I have observed in my own life. It makes sense to me that colors affect how we feel—it’s one of the first things we connect with as children. As a kid (and probably as an adult, too) you have a favorite color. You love that color and would do anything to see that color as much as possible. Why? Because that color makes you happy, or is associated with good feelings. THIS IS FASCINATING TO ME and I sincerely hope it is for some of you, too, because if not, you’re about to fall straight to sleep. So, yes, I had a lot of questions and since we have a few connects in the industry (job perk!) I was able to send over my burning color questions to some very insightful color experts.
Some of these questions are specific to me (though I know a lot of you will relate) but I snuck in a few for you parents out there because I think children have a special relationship with color and also because I am at my core, a giver. We divided the answers into categories, based on the intended effect. Let’s get to it, shall we?
For Health
Are there certain colors that promote health?
“Colors found in nature can be the most positively healing colors. Sky blues and watery greens are the colors we gravitate towards to bring calm physical and mental balance.” — Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager, Valspar Paint
Are there colors that can help cultivate healthy relationships or communication?
“The colors you surround yourself with can have a powerful impact on your overall attitude and experiences. It’s about using the colors to create a space that evokes a sense of positivity and openness for what’s to come. Surrounding yourself with calm watery tones of blues and sea-glass shades can create a space that is both calming and sophisticated (try HGSW2324 Reflecting Pool, which is is a beautiful color for creating serenity and elegance).” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
What about feelings of depression? Or any surprising colors that DO in fact affect mood in a way someone might not expect?
“I think the way colors affect people’s moods is totally unique to the individual. We all have our own stories and experiences that lead to who we are and what we like. I have conversations about color every day with homeowners and designers and one of the most interesting things that I’ve learned is to see how people react to colors and how they describe them, too. It’s deep.” — Jamie Davis, Co-Founder of Portola
“The healing powers of color are unique to each and every individual. Seek the colors that speak to you and your personal positivity. Green hues are some of the most well-known for having a positive impact on one’s everyday attitude; ideal for balance and harmony, decreasing the overwhelming feeling of everyday stress. For instance, Green Water 5003-4Ais a comforting hue, evoking the calming balance of water. Use with a tone on tone approach to promote positive energy!” — Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager, Valspar Paint
I love red but have a bit of anxiety. Does red TRULY cause intense feelings/anxiety? If so, how much does it affect anxiety and can you recommend a way to maybe bring it into your home in a way that won’t be overwhelming?
“Shades of red have been said to raise blood pressure, so I recommend being mindful of the rooms you want to use it in. It’s best used in common areas like living and dining rooms. Red is an exciting color that is energizing and fun, perfect for rooms that you want to stimulate conversation. Show Stopperfrom our “Color Pizzazz” collection is a perfect red that is bold and playful when combined with the other colors from the palette.” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
“Not all reds are created equal. It is absolutely possible to create a shade of red that feels warm and inviting, but it can be tricky. Dialing back the saturation is a good place to start. Try a red with an earthy undertone. This will feel more organic and less intense.” — Jamie Davis, Co-Founder of Portola
For Relaxation:
I have a lot of trouble sleeping. Are there colors that help sleep hygiene? Or, what colors are best for creating a calm relaxing space in the bedroom?
“I prefer light colors in general, but there is definitely something to be said for a deep shade in a bedroom like a bold blue or muted green.” — Jamie Davis, Co-founder of Portola
“Colors that are soft, muted and not too stimulating are perfect for creating a calm relaxing environment in the bedroom to promote a healthy sleep cycle. Our Quiet Comfort Color Collectionis great a resource when you’re looking for calming tones, HGSW3047 Sensitive Tint is a beautiful soft lavender hue that has the calming effects of a cool shade without compromising colorful style.” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
If you combine a “happy” and “sad” color in a room, how would that affect mood? Do they counterbalance each other in that way?
“All colors have the power of positivity when used with that intention. Think about the emotions you want to evoke in a room and what colors come to mind. If green gives you the feeling of calm balance and that is your intent, pull various shades of green for the space. A room is what you make of it; you have the power to pick the colors that make you feel great!” — Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager, Valspar Paint
Are there colors that increase laziness?
“I wouldn’t necessarily paint my office dark blue or gray. These colors are beautiful and cozy, but probably won’t promote productivity and excitement. Keep those shades reserved for a den or bedroom.” — Jamie Davis, Co-FOunder of Portola
For The Kids (And Fur Babies)
Are there colors that affect young children more than adults?
“From a very young age, children use color as a way of learning. They associate colors with objects and are drawn to bright, primary and secondary colors with a high contrast as a way of navigating the world. The way colors affect children’s moods are very similar to adults; warm hues can be comforting and cooler tones can be calming. Think about a room’s use and then pick your colors. A playroom can be fun and vibrant, while a nursery should be calm and muted so the child can be relaxed to have a peaceful nights’ rest.” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
I don’t have kids, but I have a dog and I’m curious. Since our pups are color blind, how does color affect their behavior or mood (or does it not)?
“Dogs can see shades of color, just not the way we can. Dogs cannot see reds and greens, but can typically see other shades in a more muted lens. Just like humans, dogs have their own personality and can react differently to colors. If you’re worried the colors of your home are affecting your dogs’ mood, play around with different dog toys and see what shades your dog gravitates towards and responds positively too. But at the end of the day, if you’re concerned your red room that you love might be causing your dog anxiety, rest assured they are probably seeing dark gray.” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
One of our team members mentioned she heard yellow is said to cause anxiety in babies. Is this true, and if so, what other colors could be good for gender-neutral rooms or nurseries?
“I have heard the rumor that yellow can cause anxiety for babies, or even bring anger out in some, but the key to picking a color for a baby’s nursery is to select a soft shade. If you want to use yellow in your child’s room, use something muted. Butter Up is a happy optimistic shade that makes a room feel open and airy.” — Ashley Banbury, Sr. Color Designer, HGTV HOME by Sherwin-Williams
For Creativity
What are the best colors for a creative space? (Or what colors promote creativity?)
“For creativity, I think light, crisp and clean. I feel it is important to have a blank canvas to allow yourself the freedom to think and create. I get very inspired when traveling by all the fun and bold uses of color, but when I’m in my creative space, I like things to be minimal and clean.” — Jamie Davis, Co-Founder of Portola
“Primary blue (Deep Space 4008-8Cfor example) is bold and vibrant and is an intellectual color that sparks creativity. When used thoughtfully, it can help increase your focus and efficiency. Favored by many artists, purple is often associated with imagination and creativity. The sociability of red combined with the focus of blue is ideal for a space when looking to spark creativity.” — Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager, Valspar Paint
Are there colors that help entrepreneurial people?
“Sure, there are colors that are linked to happiness and energy, calmness and relaxing, and imagination. Depending on what that key driver is for the entrepreneurial person, there is absolutely a color to help! For instance, most freelance writers have a great sense of imagination so a shade of purple might help them.” — Rachel Skafidas, Senior Color Designer, Krylon
It’s Relative…
Are some people more susceptible to the effect of color than others?
“Yes, absolutely. Most people are affected by color as they are by different smells, tastes, etc. Feelings about colors are often deeply rooted in your own personal experiences; for example, an avocado green hue can often remind people of their parents/grandparents kitchen appliances that were bought in the ’70s.” — Rachel Skafidas, Senior Color Designer, Krylon
What colors cause irritability?
“This is often very subjective. If you have a distaste for a certain hue, no matter what the psychology is behind it, you may not like any shade of it. When selecting a color for your project, it is important to find a color that works well for it and most importantly, that it makes you happy.” — Rachel Skafidas, Senior Color Designer, Krylon
“I’m not a huge fan of orange or yellow. Which has actually been an interesting challenge when creating colors. I have spent a lot of time lately working on how to make yellows and oranges that I like. It’s all about saturation and undertone. I might not love those colors, but plenty of people do.” — Jamie Davis, Co-Founder of Portola
What is one of the biggest misconceptions about color you see frequently? Anything that someone might be surprised to know?
“That everybody sees colors differently. No two people are alike, so it doesn’t make sense to assume that all people see color the same way and that everybody’s reaction to being in a red room is going to be felt the same way. That is one of the most challenging parts about being a colorist. It is also the most rewarding! I love making colors that make people feel great.” — Jamie Davis, Co-Founder of Portola
How does light in a room affect a paint color?
“Lighting is the main element that can change the look and feel of a color in a room, the type and amount of light is something to consider when selecting the perfect color. Most homes have incandescent lights, which is an amber color, making warm tones more vibrant and cool shades more muted. Natural lighting is another lighting element to be mindful of, think of the room type and when it will be used. The direction and time of day the sun comes in could determine the type of sunlight the room gets throughout the day. East-facing rooms get warm sunlight in the morning, while west-facing rooms get the warmth of the sun during the evening. North and south-facing rooms receive more light throughout the day that is cooler in tone.” — Sue Kim, Color Marketing Manager, Valspar Paint
Now the fun part. Taking the sound advice graciously provided above, I have a decent idea what color palettes I am willing to work with (which is very much subject to change mind you). So, for my first act in this MOTO journey, I am giving you my color palettes, room by room. You’ll notice most of these are “neutrals” as the key colors with a bunch of other colors as accents because that feels less intimidating to my neophyte decorating ways. I AM VERY CONFIDENT AND NOT AT ALL FRIGHTENED TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU. Here goes:
My living room is where I spend the most time, and I am not afraid to admit it. It is where I watch TV, read, write, and yes sometimes eat, so it is both a relaxing and creative space for me. This color palette is very much inspired by the living room photo up there (4th photo down from the top). I just love the bright colors but how the room still feels simple and warm. I think for me, creativity and relaxation go hand in hand and in order for me to be my most creative and as calm and “at home” as possible, bright colors and beautiful things to look at are a must.
If you can picture this, in my new place, you’ll walk straight into my living room from the front door and if you turn your head right, you’d see the sofa. Directly ahead is where our dining table will live. It is not a dining room, nor necessarily a nook, it is just a space. This is fine with me because honestly I don’t sit at the table very often. Since this area is directly adjacent to my living room, I want the colors to work together and flow naturally without repeating the same thing as the living room. I am imagining the living room having more visual interest and colors and the dining area to be a lot more subtle and minimalist. I picture a sleek black dining table, plants, a brass bar cart and some art or centerpiece that incorporates some or all of the accent colors.
The bane of my existence is that I have a very hard time sleeping. I am a light sleeper and very restless and though I really do not believe that color will make much of a difference for me in this area, I do want to create a relaxing and calming space. I love the idea of having natural colors in my bedroom, because I love love love being in nature. What I really mean by that is “I am outdoorsy in that I like getting drunk on patios” which is a quote I got from a very funny meme I saw once and is also very accurate. Anywho, natural colors and materials that are muted and calming are what I am going for here to create a zen oasis.
Welcome to my one and only dark and moody moment, where I hope to incorporate just a tiny bit of the Victorian style that I have (to my utter surprise) come to love. I like dark bathrooms, always have, and I really have no idea why so that is where the inspiration for these colors are coming from, I guess. I’d love a Victorian framed vintage painting here, or a really dramatic gold mirror. I also love limewash now, so my dream would be to have a limewash dark dramatic blue, maybe a bold purple painting, and brass hardware and call it a day.
I really thought about a huge bright red color moment in here. Like, really thought about it. Our cabinets are currently white and you know part of me wants to paint them a bold red. But I think I will chicken out because despite how much I want it if I really think about it, I don’t think it will look good. The kitchen is very narrow and I believe it would feel like being trapped in the parted red sea. SO, I went the opposite route and am now envisioning crisp white walls, (perhaps green cabinets) plants (of course), with a pop of yellow and red with matte black hardware.
And there you have it. I guess doing this post means that I actually have to do my MOTO, and that you all and EHD will be expecting it. GULP. Be advised that all this might change by tomorrow and that I am not responsible for sticking to anything mentioned here today. Oh, and for anyone wondering where the photos of my place are, well, a full introduction to my new home is coming as soon as I get the keys to the place. Stay tuned.
Oh, and as always, throw any specific color recs into the comments, because who doesn’t spend their time wondering about the perfect paint color?
Interesting article! I am looking forward to following your makeover process (and the reveal!)
I remember talking to someone who was into Steiner colour theory. They said that a red room, which can make adults feel on edge, can be really soothing for a young child whereas a light pink might have the opposite effect. Children apparently experience categorical colour perception in the right side of the brain and adults in the left.
I painted my white bedroom one-shade-off-black and I LOVE it. I have a wooden floor and a lot of white furniture and the room is now a “hug” of a room. Can’t recommend it enough.
Me too!!! My bedroom walls are the matte black of chalkboard paint (artwork is instantly elevated : ), trim is in a deep glossy black and my ceiling is a barely there pink (my least favorite color as a child but my most favorite as an adult -which I’ve always been curious about but now, more so than ever thanks to Nathalie’s sides-of-the-brain comment above!). I absolutely looooove my space -both visually and as an overall sensory experience.
SoooO looking forward to your MOTO series Ryann! And a hearty Heck YES! to limewash (the texture of the chalkboard paint in my bedroom vaguely references the imbued-with-mystery charm of limewash and is perhaps part of why the room feels special…? Which suggests that even the textures of paint can affect our mood..?)
Yes! I think art looks SO much better on a dark background. I especially noticed it at the Getty — where the darker wall colors made the paintings stand out in a good way. Not floaty like they often are on white walls.
Great article! What is a good white/off white paint (color and brand) for a family room? Do you have a go-to color that seems to always work? I am painting soon. Thank you!
Obviously I don’t want to speak for the EHD team but we painted almost our entire house in White Dove by Benjamin Moore and it’s beautiful! It’s a lovely soft white without being too yellow/creamy. We paired it with Super White (also BM) on our trim. Hope you find the one!
There was a great blog piece a couple of weeks ago about EHD’s favorite white and gray colors — I’m sure if you search the archives you’ll find it. I found it really helpful.
Yes! we did a post on our favorite tried and true whites and grays here: https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/best-white-gray-neutral-paint-colors
This was a fun read! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out. Would be nice to have links to the colors for each of your spaces. Thanks!
So, except for the bathroom your key colors are white and neutrals? 🙂 I’m teasing, but that is kind of funny after the long article about color.
? I came to the same conclusion…
Well since this is a rental, I don’t have all the freedom in the world to paint walls. Also, my apartment is small so to paint a bunch of walls with bold colors would be very overwhelming. This is why I am supplementing with lots of fun accent colors 🙂
The neutrals will allow the accent colors to pop.
Like pop rocks?
Kidding! But I find white/neutral walls make accents pop too much. I prefer the interplay and contrast of color on color. So much more interesting to me.
Will the lime wash paint in the bathroom react to all the humidity from the shower? When we lived in California it was pretty common to just have a window functioning as a fan, instead of a ceiling fan. So, just wondering.
Very interesting, thanks for the insight! I‘m looking forward to reading about your progress and decision-making. I actually like that you are transparent about being nervous, I can relate as designing a new home can be overwhelming!
Thank you so much! It is certainly overwhelming at times especially starting with a completely blank slate. But it is also SO fun and exciting and I love sharing with you all!!
How fun! Color is sooooo subjective. For example, the 4th picture down that was your inspiration for the living room colors is my least favorite pictures on the page. I really hate neutral rooms with scattered blobs of color. It so disjointed and frenetic to my eyes (plus I HATE how the chandelier cord dangles from the ceiling — makes me think of electrical fires, yikes). I also love red. For more than 10 years, our entry hall and living/dining area (essentially the entire first floor except for the kitchen and powder room) were bright scarlet. It was great! Originally, we had painted one accent wall a soft blue when we first moved in, and while I liked the color, it made the room feel dingy and depressing. Even though we mostly are west-facing, it must be more northwesterly, because that cool blue was wrong, wrong, wrong, and the red was warm, inviting and cozy. We have a lot of furniture, books and art, so there wasn’t a whole lot of empty red wall space to overwhelm you. Now, it’s a deep medium gold, and, again, the warm color was absolutely right. But as the experts said — it’s very… Read more »
Love this!!! Can’t wait to see your MOTO, Ryann 🙂 🙂
One of my biggest design fears for my own spaces is choosing a color because the swatch looks great, the swatch I paint on the wall even looks great, but then on the whole space it’s like emoji ghost screaming face, or this one : /. Like, where you can see what I was going for but it’s just like a LITTLE off, then looks amateur or childish. Because of this I like to precisely copy spaces I’ve been to before – I’ll even take a swatch to a house down the street, or put a letter in a mailbox, or ask people I hardly know what paint they’ve used if I really like it. It helps me tremendously to see it in real life, because I don’t trust I’m going to nail it otherwise.
Our bedroom is Behr tsunami and I loooveee the deep cozy feel it gives the space. I balanced it by doing lighter grey drapes and white and grey person style rug that surprisingly hides a lot of sin with a kitty and baby underfoot. You won’t regret putting muted colors in your bedroom. I can’t wait to see it Ryann! I’m especially curious about your kitchen! I was hesitant about the red and yellow, but realized I had a white kitchen before and ended up putting a large painting with red and yellow on the wall to compliment the deep red hallway my landlord had done. It was so cheerful!
I absolutely LOVE the color palate that you did here!! What wood/tone is in your living room key color? That is gorgeous. Looks like white oak? Also, what tool did you use to create each room palate? I love all of your primary and secondary colors. My accent colors would be a bit different and would include some ochre, moody blues and some greens that would work. Love the post and cannot wait to see your place when it’s done!
Good luck on your project. I’ve heard bright white in bedrooms can be too stimulating for folks that have trouble sleeping. I think that would be a room worth painting for a rental. I’ve really enjoyed bedrooms with a soft spa-like blue/green or a calming warm cream.
Everything white. Yawn.
I like red in kitchens too: there’s a happy, energetic, vintage vibe for me. In our former house that had a tiny kitchen, I removed the upper cabinet doors and painted the cabinets and interior shelves and sides white and just the back wall of the upper cabinets red (Colorhouse paint Create .04). It was quite a pain to paint the insides of the cabinets and the red took three coats, but it looked fantastic when done. The rich red at the back actually made the space look deeper because it drew you eyes to the edges of the space. You could probably use removable wallpaper for a similar effect if you still want a bold pop of red without dealing with many coats of paint. We also painted the small area of kitchen walls a medium mushroom tone (Colorhouse Nourish .01) to help the narrow walls recede and it really helped open up the space. Good luck with your MOTO! I look forward to seeing it develop.
Fun post – so interesting all the theory behind colors and their effect on us, I can definitely relate. When we bought our house a couple years ago, I really thought about how I wanted each room to feel, and made that the jumping off point. For my bedroom, I wanted to evoke New England beaches (where we live), which always make me feel calmed and renewed. So beige (sand), gray-blue (water), deeper blue (sky) dark brown (drift wood) and white (clouds, surf). We have dark and light wood furnishings, a linen upholstered headboard and sheets that change from white linen to deeper blues depending seasons and laundry cycles, and a ceiling fan for evoking the ocean breezes and ruffling the linen curtains. For the walls we did Benjamin Moore Tranquility and I absolutely love it – the name says it all. Looking forward to seeing the rest of this series.
Ryann, can’t wait to see how all the colors come together. It was an interesting read and I can see why color is so subjective. Reading the observations about green hues for instance, made me twitchy. When I had my first apartment, I painted my bedroom a deep forest green, and I loved it. When we built an addition to our living room, we painted the walls to match our dining room, a light sage/mint hybrid green. We repainted the dining room a couple years ago an off-white but haven’t gotten around to the living room. Earlier this summer, my husband finally painted the adjoining foyer a bright creamy white, the eventual color of our living room, and it’s my fave room now! So bright, welcoming… long story short, over the green, leaning toward the neutral of white, but still drawn to deep, dark colors like dark blue and black and even dark grey. I think I subscribe to the “paint with neutrals – accent with colors” theory.
Hi, really enjoy your posts. Would you be able to tell me the stain color of the wood in Living Room color post?
Thank you,
Dotty Lee
How to you all feel about farrow and ball colors and paints? Have t noticed too much reference and I’m curious about their color theories, since it seems more specific and tailored as opposed to the vast color options were used to at Ben Moore or others.
I enjoyed reading your research and thoughts on color theory, and using these to create your ideal space! We are renovating our home right now and I just found a blue (Cooks Blue, Farrow & Ball) and spring green (Churlish green, Farrow & Ball) to use for some accent walls with the White Dove (Benjamin Moore) surrounding. It will be a happy and fun space with plenty of neutral to fill with accent color. We all benefit from sharing ideas on these fun (and crazy!) projects that help us live well, and I keep reminding myself that it needs to reflect me and my family’s personalities, not look like it came out of a catalog perfect picture. That keeps me excited and stops me worrying about if it will be “right”. Regarding your kitchen, have you considered yellow tints for your cabinets? I once painted kitchen cabinets in a subdued but cheerful yellow and it became a super inviting space to work and entertain friends.
Interesting article… I tend to hate articles about color because it’s such a personal choice and my choices always end up getting labeled “wrong”. As if there is such a thing!
I /love/ that first photo, but I’m not fond of any of the others. I need color, but not too many saturated colors. My walls have to be light pink. It’s not an option. I cannot tolerate any other color of walls–and believe me, I’ve tried. White, yellow, black, navy, plum, brown, cream, red, sage, blue, green, aqua, orange, grey, greige… kill me, kill me, kill me now! Light pink helps me with my seasonal affective disorder and anxiety. I am in an apartment right now, but because it’s such a light color, it will be easy to paint back to “contractor white” once I move out in five-ish years.
I use lots of accents of white, wood, aqua, and mint green. Mustard yellow and dark gray play nicely, too. It’s a lot of color and a lot of personality, and I wouldn’t have my home absolutely any other way… cannot be improved upon! 🙂
Great article and I’m looking forward to your makeover. I know it isn’t particularly interesting, but I would love a makeover for an ugly apartment . You know, the beige carpet, beige walls, cheap cabinets and can’t change anything rules. My daughter recently moved into one of those. We hit the home stores, but just couldn’t seem to pull it together. We even said Emily’s name three time in a mirror, but sadly inspiration alluded us. Keep on, keeping on, but don’t forget those of us trapped in “meh” architecture.