Color Picks From the Pros

Ever wonder what colors the top interior designers use time and again? We asked, and they delivered—divulging some of their favorite go-to hues.

Written by Tim McKeough

• Farrow & Ball Skylight 205—“It is a calming and versatile color and mixes with black lacquer wonderfully,” says Branca, who describes the hue (shown) as “a Venetian blue gray.”

• Signal Red RAL 3001 from Fine Paints of Europe—“My favorite stock red lacquer,” says Branca. “It is warm, relaxed, and mixes beautifully with so many other colors.”

• Granary Glow 7062T from Fine Paints of Europe (shown)—This color “is such pure sunshine and warmth,” she says. “It makes you grin with delight.”

Jamie Drake

• Benjamin Moore PT-280 Icy Mist—“An ethereal color with a magical sheen” that “adds luster, drama, and a sense of movement to a space,” says Drake.

• Benjamin Moore 2015-30 Calypso Orange—“A sizzling, chic tone,” he says. “It can send any room into a samba dance.”

• Benjamin Moore’s 2067-60 Windmill Wings—This hue is “a breezy blue with just a touch of red in it for warmth,” he says. “The perfect color to evoke a cloud-free summer sky.”

Alexa Hampton

• Benjamin Moore HC-68 Middlebury Brown—“There are many dark browns that have heaps of red in them, and they’re too hot and sticky,” says Hampton. This shade, however, “is a cool dark brown with lots of gray.”

• Benjamin Moore 925 Ivory White—“It’s the perfect creamy off-white,” she says.

• Donald Kaufman Color DKC 16—“Over the past two years, my palette has been getting cooler,” says Hampton. This color fits the bill because it’s a “grayed-out taupe.”

Jay Jeffers

• Benjamin Moore 2088-40 Persimmon—“It is the perfect red,” says Jeffers, offering “just enough warmth without being so over-the-top.”

• Benjamin Moore 1470 Bear Creek—This hue “is my go-to trim color,” he says. “It’s a bold statement in a room and works great with both warm and cool colors.”

Mary McDonald

• Benjamin Moore HC-69 Whitall Brown—“It instantly creates a feeling of enveloping comfort,” says McDonald. “You can pair it with a pastel or neutral for a softer bedroom, or something bold like red for a library.”

• Benjamin Moore HC-166 Kendall Charcoal—“My go-to drama color,” she says. “Even with simple white upholstery it elevates the style quotient tenfold.”

• Benjamin Moore HC-156 Van Deusen Blue—“A mix between Swedish royalty and a yacht vibe” that appeals to men and women alike, she says.

Vicente Wolf

• Benjamin Moore 2135-70 Patriotic White—“I love colors that are mercurial — they are white in bright sunlight and as the light changes the color starts to come to the surface,” says Wolf. “Patriotic White is that perfect color for me.”

• Benjamin Moore 012 Coral Reef—“It makes everybody look sun-kissed,” he says. “It’s a warm color, which instantly makes one smile.

• Benjamin Moore 1-02 Super White—This hue is “my favorite no-color,” says Wolf. “It plays up the architecture

And what about mine you might ask? That’s hard because I don’t use colors over and over again- each of my clients is a unique individual so I tend to follow their lead but there are some that always seem to work.

CINDY BARGANIER

Benjamin Moore     Texas Leather– This is a wonderful warm brown-gray that feels very sophisticated. I love it in dining rooms or powder rooms.

Benjamin Moore   Wythe Blue–  This soft blue-green is a wonderful bedroom color. It feels like a luxury hotel only better.

Benjamin Moore   Shelburne Buff– a nice gold

Benjamin Moore   Henderson Buff– I have NO idea where they got this name. The paint is a fairly vivid yellow-green.   It’s a fun youthful color if you want to shake things up a bit.

Benjamin Moore 1548 Classic Gray I love this paired with  HC 168 Chelsea gray on baseboards. 1550 Cumulus cloud is also great.

There are too many– you decide! What are your favorites?