Spring Color Palette Inspiration

Contributed by Barb Cook, Interior Designer & The Hive Overland Park Member

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Spring is the perfect time to refresh your home. Many companies are launching new lines just in time for redecorating. While spending all winter indoors, those rooms that look worn and tired are often calling out for a fresh look. We all need a little spring color palette inspiration!

Where to start? Sometimes a change in paint color can give you an updated look without breaking your budget, and while you are at it, fresh bedding or new accessories can complete the transformation.

Every year, paint manufacturers forecast color trends that point to a directional shift in consumer thinking through curated collections organized by color hues and the design aesthetic they represent. Sherwin Williams (SW) presents Color Mix each year to designers and Architects.

This year we see a trend toward the classic blues and greens (from SW Upward to deep navy’s SW Gale Force, together with soft greens SW Honeydew, a greyed green SW Evergreen Fog to SW Leap Frog and deep greens such as SW Billiard Green).

Also, making the list are some colors that may remind you of a time gone by, and that young millennials gravitate to which include SW Sashay Sand, SW Soft Apricot and SW Ravishing Coral. Outliers include SW Veri Berri, SW Rhapsody Lilac and “a nod to Barbie” SW Dragon Fruit.

When delicate hues are layered, it creates the new classic elegance we see in many homes. Delicate tints such as SW Snowbound, SW Drift of Mist, SW Egret White, SW Sand Dollar, SW Heron Plume, and SW Silver Strand are a few on trend. Popular greys such as SW Agreeable Gray, SW Repose Grey and SW Light French Grey remain strong in the Midwest, but we are seeing a shift toward tans such as Benjamin Moore Muslin, Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter, SW Accessible Beige and SW Natural Linen.

When colors are selected, it gives a nod to manufacturers of soft goods (bedding and fabric) and hard goods (decorative accessories and art to add specific collections to their line that will coordinate to form a cohesive look. This will add the personal touches to create a curated space for you.

Recently, I previewed the new collections of fabrics at Calico Corners. There were classic blue prints, blue and greens with birds, and others featuring watercolor like floral designs! Birds are very popular this year. Corals with blue butterflies, new designs from Lemieux (formally Dwell Studios) featuring stylized big cats on rose or gray backgrounds.

Classic whites, and a new line of whites from Candace Olsen features some elegant patterns and metallic threads. Other lines highlighted creative designs featuring saturated colors and lively lizards! A big trend now on drapery panels is to add trim in the form of decorative bands stitched vertically top to bottom.  This type of trim can be used on furniture as an accent.

Wallpapers are really popular this Spring. I fell in love with a couple of designs that would add the finishing touch to any room. This blue and aqua floral pattern was elegant and serene and this geometric design is the new trend in grass-cloths! 

Pottery Barn is featuring new patterns with dusty terracotta’s, blues and greens in their bedding, drapery panels, pillows and napkins. There was a fun floral bouquet featuring silk flowers that used a saturated blend of colors.

Choosing the right color for your home can be a daunting task.  There are many things to take into consideration when introducing a new paint color into your design aesthetic; room exposure, lighting, color undertones, existing upholstery, trim color and how the new color selection will coordinate with adjacent rooms. The sheen and type of paint if not taken into consideration may not give you the performance and look that you imagined.  Many paint stores have personnel that are trained and ready to help you. In addition, contacting a professional designer is money well spent. Many times, they can lead you in a direction and give you confidence to try something you never dreamed of.

What is your favorite color for spring? If you would like to get in contact with Barb Cook, Interior Designer, let us know in the comments below.