1. NAVY BLUE
It came as no surprise to use to see Farrow & Ball’s Railings mentioned amongst designers – this classic blue-black is the most timeless kind of navy. Pittsburgh, PA-based designer Colleen Simonds used it in her own home as a kitchen color idea, pairing painted Shaker-style cabinetry with beautiful blue-toned marble countertops. ‘I love this dark navy,’ Colleen says. ‘It's a color, but also a neutral, and it’s very easy to live with – not trendy but not boring.’
2. DEEP MAUVE
We've recently reported on the surprise rosy mauve shade that interior designers have declared their favorite color for 2024 – but for Amber Guyton, Atlanta-based interior designer and founder of Blessed Little Bungalow, the perfect shade for her lounge was a little richer. ‘My living room is painted about five inches up the walls in Benjamin Moore's Love Affair,’ she says. ‘The color is a moody, mauvy merlot that is inviting for guests and sets a relaxing mood for me in the room.’
3. BLACK
It might be controversial – and a little daunting – but black and dark gray were mentioned by several designers. For Anne Hulcher Tollett's black living room (pictured above), the owner and principal designer of Richmond, Virginia-based interior design studio Hanover Avenue opted for Benjamin Moore's Willow with a white trim.
4. BLUSH PINK
For the walls of the living room in his London home, British interior designer Matthew Williamson picked Lido Pink from The Pinkleson Paint Company. ‘It contrasts beautifully with the brilliant white ceiling and creates an unexpected, joyful combination with the color of my window frames and woodwork – Hackney Gold, another color by The Pickleson Paint Co.,' he says. 'Blush or plaster pink is my go-to neutral, and Lido Pink was just what I was looking for. It’s kinder and more forgiving than white, more fun than beige and warmer than gray.’
5. VERDANT GREEN
‘Besides blue, green is the only color in nature we can live comfortably with in large amounts,’ says Connie Vernich, of Nashville, Tennessee's Vernich Interiors. ‘I've been using every shade of green in my home for years.’ (Blue is a popular color that goes with green for this reason.) She used PPG Paints' Grape Leaves in the snug area next to her dining room, drenching walls and shelves in the deep green hue. ‘The colors vary from warm to cool.'
6. SIMPLE WHITE
Anyone who’s tried to pick a white paint knows it’s a complicated business, but designers named a few of their favorites. 'In my personal remodels I always default to Sherwin Williams 7005 Pure White,' says Los Angeles interior designer Amy Pigliacampo. 'It's never let me down: it's the perfect neutral white that blends well with many other materials and it always delivers a clean, bright – but never cold – airy looking vibe.'
7. BURGUNDY
Considering burgundy is one of 2024’s biggest paint trends, it’s not surprising that it’s found its way into designers’ own homes. Colleen Simonds went small-scale but big-impact with her use of Farrow & Ball’s Brinjal for her powder room ceiling. ‘I love dark purple, which is also surprisingly versatile, as long as it's dark enough,’ she says. ‘I chose the full gloss finish here to reflect as much light as possible in a tiny room and create a little drama and fun.’
8. MID-TONE MINT
Matthew Williamson's mint green bedroom is the perfect example of how restful this hue can be. ‘My bedroom walls are painted in Tequila Green, with the ceiling, shutters and skirting board in a darker gloss – Basilica Green by The Pickleson Paint Co,’ says Matthew Williamson. An eclectic mix of rugs, artworks, bed linens and plants all work together, connected by the color green. Wherever I live, I use green liberally, as I know my sense of well-being will be all the better for it. Tequila Green is a mid-tone of mint that is at once crisp and striking, yet evokes a feeling of calm – perfect for the bedroom.
9. NEUTRAL LAVENDER
Whites with subtle undertones were popular amongst the designers we spoke to. In Colleen Simonds’ bedroom, she opted for Farrow & Ball’s Peignoir. ‘This is a very soft, warm, neutral paint that just has hints of lavender and pale pink – but not in a juvenile way,’ she explains. ‘It's a soothing color and works with everything.’
10. EMERALD GREEN
Rich, intense greens and teals were another common theme amongst designers. ‘I love Tarrytown Green from Benjamin Moore,’ says Maplewood, NJ-based designer Sarah Storms. ‘Jewel tones are a personal favorite because they have the ability to add so much richness and personality. What I love about this color is there is depth without being dark. The contrast against the wallpaper allows for a finished and polished space.’