With Great Colors

Even in the throes of winter, when most gardens are hibernating under a cold-weather blanket, it’s easy to bring the warm, vibrant feelings of spring into the home with colors, textures and patterns.

From the saturated colors of fresh fruits and flowers to the neutral hues of pavers and fountains, the promise of new spring gardens can provide an endless source of decorating inspiration.

In fact, styling a home is much like planting a garden: Begin with a base color, then add pops of lively hues to complement the space. Reminiscent of violets in the garden, try purple vases on the fireplace mantel. Finally, add accents such as a green rug, as if there were freshly cut blades of grass underfoot.

The color experts at Sherwin-Williams have selected several botanical shades in the Refreshed palette of its Today’s Colors collection. These bright hues look especially fresh when paired with light, natural wood tones.

“Our Refreshed palette is a playful exploration of a kaleidoscope of colors,” says Jackie Jordan, director of color marketing for Sherwin-Williams. “It encourages the use of exuberant combinations like bright tangerine
orange with sunny yellow—exactly what you would find in a springtime garden bouquet.”

Using fabrics with botanical motifs is another way to reflect the cheery mood of spring renewal. Furniture upholstery, pillows and curtains can interweave organic elements into the home.

Experimenting with muted, natural colors is another twist on garden-style decorating. For example, the Treasured palette from the Today’s Colors collection includes neutrals reminiscent of vintage, glazed pottery. Accent a room with an understated coral, yellow or green to give a home the feeling it has been well-loved for generations.

Relaxed neutrals are often at the center of nature’s palettes, according to Jordan. Mixing in weathered browns or desert tans can add comfort and provide a serene backdrop for favorite flea market finds or energized colors, she says.

“To really bring a room to life, bring things that are living and growing into it; whether it be a beautiful orchid plant, magnolia leaves or a giant bowl of Granny Smith apples,” says noted designer Larry Laslo, president of LL Designs.

Wonder whether a splash of spicy tomato red can add character to a living room or if weathered-stone grays can refine the walls of a master suite? Test colors without ever picking up a paint brush. The new Upload Your Own Photo feature at sherwin-williams.com allows do-it-yourselfers to experiment with the paint retailer’s entire color spectrum, including interior and exterior facades.

To breathe easy while painting indoors in the midst of winter, try a low-odor, low-VOC paint. The paint’s durability and ease of cleaning will keep a room looking as beautiful as the day it was painted.To view the complete Sherwin-Williams Today’s Colors collection, or to experiment with the new Upload Your Own photo feature on the Color Visualizer, visit sherwin-williams.com.