Color of the year – White Owl Market

BY SHANNON SHARPE, ILEANA LLORENS
August 22,2022

Designers are already abuzz over 2023 paint color trends. Here, 17 industry experts let us in on what’s popular, what’s working and what’s out when it comes to top interior paint colors for the year ahead.

Greens reflect nature and there is a shade of it for everyone,” notes Chicago designer Sarah Montgomery. (Photo: Ryan McDonald)

Bringing the outdoors in.

“I use different shades of green and teal in every room. It can create a pop or serves as a backdrop for other colors to stand out.”

—Sarah Montgomery, Sarah Montgomery Design | Chicago

“A cozy mauve like Benjamin Moore’s Cashmere Wrap is a perfect example of a color that can flow throughout the home,” says Hudson, New York, designer Nicole Fisher. (Photo: Helena Palazzi)

Carrying color throughout the home.

“Clients are still being adventurous with color. Instead of one bold room, we’re seeing it throughout. It’s about creating beauty in every space, not just one.”

—Nicole Fisher, BNR Interiors | Hudson, New York

“Blue and greens are our go-tos right now,” says Denver-based designer Andrea Schumacher. In this office she used a navy from Benjamin Moore to add rich color. (Photo: Roger Davies)

Looking beyond gray.

“We love color and always will. Gray is a trend we are definitely over. Instead, we use a lot of blues and greens.”

—Andrea Schumacher, Andrea Schumacher Interiors | Denver

Chicago designer Sarah Vaile created visual impact by pairing Benjamin Moore’s Dark Sapphire with chartreuse drapes. (Photo: Ryan McDonald)

Embracing the unexpected.

“We recently paired a deep sapphire lacquer with chartreuse silk drapes. We received lot of fun, positive reactions to the unexpected color pairing.”

—Sarah Vaile, Sarah Vaile Interior Design | Chicago

“Sophisticated and refined only begin to describe this room in Sherwin Williams’ Agreeable Gray,” says Los Angeles- and Orlando-based designer John McClain. (Photo: Lauren Pressy)

Using the “Fab Five.”

“The neutral and classic combination of black, white, gray, green and brown will always provide the perfect pallet for every interior. They are rooted in nature and therefore resonate with the core of humanity.”

—John McClain, John McClain Design | Los Angeles and Orlando

Silver throw pillows and drapes set off the blue lacquer walls in this room designed by New York designer Jamie Drake.

Pairing blue with silver.

“Pale and mid-blue accents paired with white and silver resonate with so many. The popularity is because it is gender neutral, crisp and like fresh air.”

—Jamie Drake, Drake/Anderson | New York City

“From the kitchen to the bathroom to the living room, the color green is a strong player,” says Los Angeles designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard, who used Benjamin Moore’s Weeping Willow in this kitchen.

Going green.

“Green in almost every shade is having the most amazing comeback. The richer shades like emerald and forest are really strong and will be here to stay for a while.”

—Martyn Lawrence Bullard, Martyn Lawrence Bullard | Los Angeles

Florida designer Sandra Asdourian set off a medium blue from Sherwin Williams with varying shades of the color and touches of white.

Turning to blue and white for the win.

“Blue and white is classic but can be contemporary, traditional or coastal.”

—Sandra Asdourian, Sandra Asdourian Interiors | Naples, Florida

Designer Elisa Baran Tréan used Farrow & Ball Cabbage White (No. 269) and JH Wallpaints 103 + 114 in this recent kitchen project. (Photo: Jared Kuzia)

“In California, some clients are requesting whites, creams and beiges with a subtle amount of texture on the walls. This will require limewash or plaster to achieve the desired vibe. People really need a sense of calm at home, and this combination has a bright and airy, yet warm feel to it.”

—Elisa Baran Tréan, Elisa Baran, LLC | New York, New York

A Bernhardt bed is framed by molding in a matte lilac bedroom by builder Divco and designers Glenn Midnet and Morgan Bratcher. The walls are swathed in Sherwin Williams Quest Gray. (Photo: Venjhamin Reyes Photography)

Make way for purple.

“Purple is a color we’ve rarely seen used in bedroom designs, but we are expecting more of. Color psychology has proven purples are romantic, peacefuland luxurious. The buzz surrounding Digital Lavender as the 2023 Color of the Year has only reassured us that purple is a definite for 2023 design.”

—Design West | Naples, Florida

Dark trim and casework in Benjamin Moore Black HV190 and ceiling coffers in Benjamin Moore White Dove pair for a statement-making dining room in this family home. (Photo: Thomas Kuoh)

Turn to timeless color combos.

“The power of black next to white stands the test of time.  Because they are both neutrals, the combination is bold and dramatic without being brash. Black can bring wow factor as a contrast window sash or passage door and can also highlight architectural detailing that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

—Emilie Munroe, Studio Munroe | San Francisco

White will never go out of style, but the key is to add pops of color for interest, advises Hillary Stamm. (Photo: Lauren Pressey)

Keep the color contrasts coming.

“Clients are looking for a timeless elegance but with contrast and a touch of something that creates a special and unique look and space to call their own.”

—Hillary Stamm, HMS Interiors | Manhattan Beach, California

“While there is a time and place for quiet, neutral greige, we’re advocating for something a bit more opinionated—we look for color with a point of view,” notes Kathleen Walsh. This library in Greenwich, Connecticut features Benjamin Moore Symphony Blue. (Photo: John Bessler)

A new twist on brown and blue.

“We’ve noted that brown and blue is slowly making a comeback. The combination allows us to easily mix antique and modern; however, it’s notably different than how we used in the ‘90s. We’re going way more saturated in the blues, picking up on deep complex hues for a more luminous, dynamic color.”

—Kathleen Walsh, Kathleen Walsh Interiors | New York, New York

“While neutrals can sometimes be seen as playing it safe, venturing into bolder shades keeps a room contemporary and dramatic,” notes Leslie Murphy. This primary bedroom project features a Benjamin Moore Soot. (Photo: Lisa Hubbard)

Channel deep charcoals and browns.

“Heading into 2023, we’re really into darker and dramatic shades, such as deep charcoals and browns. These tones are not only elegant and upscale when complemented with tonal furnishings and accessories, but theybring a warm and comfortable feel to the space.”

—Leslie Murphy, Murphy Maude Interiors | Memphis, Tennessee

Sometimes, it all boils down to the basics, as San Francisco Noz Nozawa notes about pairing oranges and blues. This Victorian parlor features C2 Tortoise with burnishing and gold resin drip by Caroline Lizarraga. (Photo: Colin Price Photography)

Opposites attract.

“Across all eras in design, I have always loved orange-red-brick tones and teal-blue tones together. From a color theory standpoint, these tones are perfect opposites on the color wheel; but I think there’s something so iconic about this pairing—from Southwestern indigenous jewelry pairing coral and turquoise stones together, to every Hot-and-Cold water  faucet.”

—Noz Nozawa, Noz Design | San Francisco

Peignoir by Farrow and Ball graces the wainscoting of designer Susie Novak’d own dining room, where the muted rose is paired with gray floral wallpaper by Cole & Son. (Photo: Thomas Kuoh)

Pink is sticking around.

“Dusty pinks, salmon, and taupes. These warm neutrals, in particular, really came up in the last couple of years or so, and I think are nowconsidered mainstays. There is something so soothing about a dusty pink that also feels special and unique.”

—Susie Novak, Susie Novak Interiors | Oakland, California

Virginia Toledo likens the timelessness of neutrals and blacks to the appeal of a pair of cream linen pants or perfect little black dress. Here, a living space project features Benjamin Moore Winter White with Benjamin Moore Decorator White. (Photo: Jacob Snavely)

Play nice with neutrals.

“Neutrals became the response to living with greige for so many years. We find that these tones, paired with crisp whites and a dash of black, never go out of style.”

—Virginia Toledo, Toledo Geller | Franklin Lakes, New Jersey

Move over, neutrals.

By Lauren Smith

In 2016, Simply White and Alabaster White were the hue of the moment. Then in 2017, we saw a shift to darker neutrals, like Poised Taupe and Mushroom. So it’s only fitting that for 2018 people predict even deeper and bolder colors are going to be all the rage.

One of the first paint companies to release their prediction is PPG Paints, who named Black Flame (PPG1043-7) their new “it” shade. They describe it as an “unprecedented, statement-making black with deep tones of indigo.” So … Black Flame is the new black? They also claim it reflects the rebirth of classic black and evokes feelings of privacy, hope and classic modernism. It kind of reminds us of Benjamin Moore’s Shadow from last year, to be honest.

PPG

Meanwhile, Glidden Paint calls out Deep Onyx (00NN 07/000), which they describe as a no-fuss shade of black that encourages a “less is more” approach to decor. It almost has a chalkboard-like look to it, which is why it doesn’t feel too harsh when seen on walls and the floor. Just make sure you pair this color with light furnishings, as seen here with natural wood chairs and a white statement lamp.

GLIDDEN

As for Olympic Paints & Stains, they say to watch out for Black Magic (OL116), which “brings an airy and soft space down to Earth.” They also claim it’s the perfect mix of masculine and feminine, and when paired with a copper pendant light and white trim, we totally see it.

OLYMPIC

While white and neutrals are certainly safer, we’re thrilled paint companies are encouraging people to take bolder risks with their walls. And even though these rooms show floor-to-ceiling coverage, you can just as easily embrace this trend by using pops of this hue versus coating an entire room in it.

But you won’t only see dark hues on walls in 2018. Sherwin Williams predicts next year will all be about three bright color palettes, which they dubbed Affinity (blue, fuchsia and brown), Connectivity (blue, green and high-def yellow) and Sincerity (neutrals, green and pink). All of these combinations are surprising (a thumb’s up in our book) and guaranteed to pack serious happiness into a room.