Color Me Inspired

Sometimes looking to nature can provide a jolt of color ideas. Searching for that perfect yellow? What about the petal of a sunflower, a feather of a canary or the slice of lemon in your glass of iced tea? Or consider the cobalt of the Caribbean ocean or the rich depth of a sapphire for a different shade of blue. I find that even a visit to the grocery store can be a fantastic place to find forgotten shades of color: all those nicely hued fresh fruits and vegetables and the wall of vibrant spices, not to mention the millions of colors and color combinations used in product packaging. And don’t forget to take a second look at cosmetics, magazines, fabrics and automobiles. The list of man-made sources of inspiration is also endless.

And more good news: thanks to technology, most paint and decorating retailers can color match almost any source, whether it’s that canary feather, a piece of fabric you bought in India or your grandmother’s favorite plate. It’s even possible to match colors in the photos you’ve taken on vacation or in your own back yard. Images from today’s digital cameras can be printed on color-correct paper and taken to the store for matching—so take that camera with you and start taking pictures for future inspiration.

In the end, color inspiration is everywhere if you just open your eyes and look around you. Discovering what truly inspires you will guide you to color decisions that are as unique as your own individuality.