A Designer Shares Her 5 Go-To Paint Colors
Whether she’s looking for something playful or dramatic, Jennifer Ott knows these paint colors will always deliver
Jennifer Ott
23 August 2020
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's work has been featured in many print and online publications. Her recently-published book, "1000 Ideas for Color Schemes," is a beautifully illustrated and easy-to-navigate guide that takes the guesswork out of selecting the perfect color palette for your home or special event. For more information on Jennifer Ott Design, visit http://jenottdesign.com/.
San Francisco-based architectural color specialist and design writer. Jennifer's... More
I was talking with a home design colleague recently about color, and the person asked what my latest favorite color is. I had trouble narrowing it down to just one or two, but there are definitely a handful of hues I find myself turning to when developing paint color palettes for clients. These are not necessarily trendy colors. In fact, I tend to shy away from a color when it becomes ubiquitous; variety is the spice of life, after all. But these are five colors I’ve been enjoying working with lately.
1. Orange Sherbet
I’ve long been a fan of bold citrus-orange colors, but they usually need to be limited to small doses so they don’t visually overwhelm. When I want to inject a larger dose of orange in a space, I’ll pick what I refer to as an orange sherbet, an orange that’s been knocked down a bit with some white. It’s not a pastel, but it’s definitely less intense than pure orange.
I’ve long been a fan of bold citrus-orange colors, but they usually need to be limited to small doses so they don’t visually overwhelm. When I want to inject a larger dose of orange in a space, I’ll pick what I refer to as an orange sherbet, an orange that’s been knocked down a bit with some white. It’s not a pastel, but it’s definitely less intense than pure orange.
I like this color for furniture, whether freestanding or, as shown in the first photo, built-in. But it’s also a great choice for interior or exterior doors. It exudes warmth and a playful vibe, and works well for any style of interior.
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Try these orange sherbet paint colors: Sorbete de Melon from PPG is the most saturated option of the bunch seen here. It’s a color I’d pair with plenty of white or other light neutrals, or use in a well-lit space. Tangerine Cream from Valspar is slightly less vibrant. Orange Sherbet from Behr is a great option for those desiring a more toned-down version of this hue. It can be used in larger swaths, especially if your room lacks ample natural light.
2. Jade
This delightful color is a blue-kissed deep green that, for me, is a logical evolution of long-popular turquoise and lime. I still enjoy working with those midcentury modern hues, but jade feels a bit fresher because it’s not quite as common for home interiors — yet.
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This delightful color is a blue-kissed deep green that, for me, is a logical evolution of long-popular turquoise and lime. I still enjoy working with those midcentury modern hues, but jade feels a bit fresher because it’s not quite as common for home interiors — yet.
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Jade is strong enough to stand on its own in a room, but it also pairs well with blues, grays and cool whites. Such a palette, as seen here, is colorful but also soothing because the colors flow together. For more contrast, you can partner jade with zesty yellows or oranges.
Try these jade paint colors: Jargon Jade from Sherwin-Williams is my go-to jade paint color. For a slightly softer option, try Pale Jade from PPG. Juneau Spring from Benjamin Moore is a cooler jade that brings a fun-loving tropical ambiance.
3. Periwinkle
Periwinkle, one of my favorite crayon colors as a kid, is an unusual choice for home decor, but I prefer it over the more (currently) popular pink. It can be cool and sophisticated or light and fun. Here it appears in small accents — on the front door and light fixture — but it can also be used in larger doses, especially if you go for a lighter and grayer shade.
Periwinkle, one of my favorite crayon colors as a kid, is an unusual choice for home decor, but I prefer it over the more (currently) popular pink. It can be cool and sophisticated or light and fun. Here it appears in small accents — on the front door and light fixture — but it can also be used in larger doses, especially if you go for a lighter and grayer shade.
Navy has been all the rage recently as a kitchen cabinet color, and I still love navy, but check out how great this periwinkle shade works for the base cabinets and island in this kitchen. What a fantastic way to inject some personality and pizazz into an otherwise mostly white kitchen.
Try these periwinkle paint colors: I define periwinkle as a light to medium lavender-blue — the color of the periwinkle plant’s flowers. Periwinkle from Dunn-Edwards is a saturated version of the shade. A cooler, bluer option is Simply Periwinkle from Valspar. For lovers of light shades, check out Periwinkle Bud from Behr.
4. Brown-Black
Lest you think I decorate only with bright colors, here’s my latest favorite dark neutral. I have previously leaned heavily on dark gray and navy, but many homeowners are now clamoring for warmer hues in their homes. True black could be a bit harsh here. A brown-black brings the drama but also creates a warm and cozy atmosphere.
Lest you think I decorate only with bright colors, here’s my latest favorite dark neutral. I have previously leaned heavily on dark gray and navy, but many homeowners are now clamoring for warmer hues in their homes. True black could be a bit harsh here. A brown-black brings the drama but also creates a warm and cozy atmosphere.
If you go for such a hue in large doses, I recommend keeping the space simple and uncluttered, otherwise it can appear too visually heavy or claustrophobic. Add warm whites and keep window treatments to a minimum so the space gets flooded with plenty of natural light.
Try these brown-black paint colors: When picking dark brown paint colors, I tend to take inspiration from two of my favorite things to eat and drink: extra-dark chocolate and strong espresso coffee. Black Bean Soup from Benjamin Moore is a rich, dark chocolate brown that works well on an accent wall, such as on a headboard wall to anchor the bed in the room.
Sealskin from Sherwin-Williams veers a bit cooler and is an excellent elegant substitute for pure black when the latter would feel too heavy and stark. Cambridge from Pratt & Lambert is lighter than the other two but still deep, earthy and comforting, like a cup of morning brew.
Sealskin from Sherwin-Williams veers a bit cooler and is an excellent elegant substitute for pure black when the latter would feel too heavy and stark. Cambridge from Pratt & Lambert is lighter than the other two but still deep, earthy and comforting, like a cup of morning brew.
5. Golden Green
Leafy and lime green shades have been my favorite colors for some time now. My car is lime green! Lately, though, I’ve been moving to lighter, crisper versions. I call them golden greens because they have a sunny yellow twist to them. They feel so fresh and, in lighter tints, can serve as a neutral.
Leafy and lime green shades have been my favorite colors for some time now. My car is lime green! Lately, though, I’ve been moving to lighter, crisper versions. I call them golden greens because they have a sunny yellow twist to them. They feel so fresh and, in lighter tints, can serve as a neutral.
Similar to orange sherbet, golden green works well with a variety of design styles and spaces, from the Craftsman hallway here to my own modern bathroom, seen in the previous photo.
Try these golden green paint colors: Lively Yellow from Sherwin-Williams and Hibiscus from Benjamin Moore are vibrant but not neon, so they work well for small to medium accents. Mystic Melon from PPG is light enough to be used in large doses, and also works well with many other hues.
Use a golden green with other shades of green and yellow for a harmonious color scheme.
Your turn: What color are you decorating with lately? Tell us in the Comments.
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Use a golden green with other shades of green and yellow for a harmonious color scheme.
Your turn: What color are you decorating with lately? Tell us in the Comments.
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5 Refreshing Ways to Bring Blue Into the Kitchen
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I’m so very tired of gray and white! I love color and working with it. My dining area is peach, bathroom various shades of blue tiles , sewing room has bright floral wallpaper accent wall and other walls painted a happy sky blue and living room is a warm yellow. Unfortunately my husband is a white wall guy so the other rooms are my compromise with him. Enjoyed reading this article and seeing the use of beautiful colors. Long may they reign!
Love, love, love the jade green. The black/brown has me thinking, too. Thanks for helping to bring color back into homes. Tired of seeing white(kitchens!) and gray rooms.
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