What’s an Unexpected Color That Delighted Clients in Interior Decorating?

What’s an Unexpected Color That Delighted Clients in Interior Decorating?

Upon walking into a brilliantly conceived space, it's much like encountering an unexpectedly beautiful moment in nature—effortlessly striking and meticulously planned down to each hue. Hear from an Owner and Principal Interior Designer who reveal the first and last insights from a collection of six innovative ideas on surprising color choices in interior design. Starting with the subtle use of blue accents to the warmth of pale coral blush, these tips are sure to inspire and delight.

• Use Blue Accents Subtly
• Choose a Warm Pale Coral Blush
• Incorporate Burnt-Copper Orange
• Use Matte Bronze
• Design With Rural Green
• Use Warm and Fresh Terracotta

Use Blue Accents Subtly

Recently, we had a client who absolutely loved blue and initially wanted her entire bathroom to be a bold, royal blue. While the idea was striking, it didn't quite flow with the rest of her home's design.

So, we worked together to incorporate her love for blue in a more subtle, cohesive way. By choosing a neutral color for the walls and introducing blue accents through the bathroom tile and a blue-shaded vanity, we achieved the balance she wanted. The result surprised and delighted her, giving her all the blue she loved without overwhelming the space.

Choose a Warm Pale Coral Blush

A warm, pale coral blush on walls. It looks chic and can look modern and bohemian without feeling overly feminine. It makes a dimly-lit theater room cozy. I love this color in dimly-lit unisex spaces. It looks great with candles and wicker, too.

Incorporate Burnt-Copper Orange

Orange—being more specific, a burnt-coppery orange. I design a lot of distilleries, and the copper color represents the copper stills often seen in distilleries. By bringing the color into other settings, such as retail or hospitality environments, there is a nod to the distilling process without seeing the actual equipment. Plus, it goes with so many natural tones, as it's a color found in nature, so it pairs well in a scheme with greens, grays, and blues.

Use Matte Bronze

Matte bronze. At first glance, it just looks brown, but that color is actually so layered and deep, you can stare at it for hours. When hit with the sun, you get a gorgeous reflection that reminds you of a tranquil country sunrise. Under low light, you can see the olive undertones and subtle pearlescent finish that just screams quality. Seriously understated and absolutely stunning color that fits humbly into most color schemes.

Design With Rural Green

I recently designed a living room around a feature wood-panel installation in the color "Rural Green" by Sherwin-Williams, and it became a beautiful focal point of the space. The color is fun, modern, and whimsical, but also isn’t too loud. It almost reminds me of the natural-green color you find in a pothos houseplant, a favorite indoor plant of mine! The clients fell in love with the color so much that we ended up also adding a peel-and-stick wallpaper in a print with a similar color to the back of their glass kitchen cabinets. You can see the home and the elements discussed on my website at cultivateyourspace.com.

Use Warm and Fresh Terracotta

Short answer: Terracotta. It’s a warm color and, at the same time, fresh and deep. My second choice would be mustard or sage (very popular lately!).