Designer Barry Dixon’s Color Tip: “Pair organic yellow colors with stony grays or sandy beiges rather than citrus hues.” Designer Barry Dixon’s Color Tip: “Be wary of the strongest yellow. It’s going to intensify when it’s in a room, especially when the sun shines on it. If you’re leaning toward the brightest yellow on a paint chip, go one shade down. For less impact, try an autumnal shade, such as wheat, honey, or amber.” Designer Barry Dixon’s Color Tip: Yellows look different depending on the light and the colors around them. Designer Celerie Kemble’s Color Tip: Peacock blue looks great with a bevy of modern colors—apricot, orange, pink, red, and yellow loosen up its regalness. For a more subdued look, pair it with grays and browns. Designer Celerie Kemble’s Color Tip: “Peacock blue carries a sort of majesty. It’s dark but not dreary. It’s vivid without being electric.” Designer Celerie Kemble’s Color Tip: Although peacock blues can convey luxury, they also work in a casual setting. Designer Laurie Smith’s Color Tip: Consider high-contrast combinations, such as brown with whites and creams. It creates a graphic quality and allows furniture to strike a silhouette. Designer Laurie Smith’s Color Tip: Less is more. Brown on all four walls can make a room look cavernous. Unless the room gets a lot of natural light or has high ceilings, use the color only as an accent wall. Designer Laurie Smith’s Color Tip: Brown has an anchoring effect. It can calm a room that’s full of color, and it holds weight in a room. It’s also a less-harsh alternative to black. Designer David Bromstad’s Color Tip: To find the right shade of gray-blue, place paint or fabric swatches side-by-side. When you look at different shades together you get a better idea of the true color. You’ll be able to see that some are grayer, some are bluer, and some may even look green or purple. Designer David Bromstad’s Color Tip: Gray-blue is tranquil and versatile and it doesn’t look juvenile like more vibrant blues can. Designer David Bromstad’s Color Tip: Consider pairing gray-blue with accent colors such as turquoise and orange. It’s unexpected and jazzes things up. Designer Elaine Griffin’s Color Tip: Warm red makes spaces feel cozy. It’s also super adaptable with most any color and style. Designer Elaine Griffin’s Color Tip: If you want to ease into red, introduce it in doses. Try an accent wall behind your sofa or on the back of a bookcase or add a dash with a pillow or throw. Designer Elaine Griffin’s Color Tip: With mahogany furniture, it goes very traditional. With streamlined modern pieces, it’s 20th-century modern. I’m crazy about crisp white trim with red walls.
