Paint Colors for a Happier 2022

It’s no revelation that color is closely connected to emotion. In my clients’ and friends’ collective quests for happy homes, I am often asked about paint colors. I like Benjamin Moore paint colors and want to share a handful that I have loved using lately.

Dallas preservationist and Realtor Douglas Newby discusses this idea in a TEDx Talk entitled “Homes that Make us Happy“, in which he explains the value of buying a home based on its design characteristics instead of a list of amenities.

With all the world’s recent woes, I have spent the better part of early 2022 reflecting on what brings me joy. Apart from the universal answers like friends, family, travel and nature, I’ve become increasingly aware that beautiful interiors bring tranquility and pleasure to my life in a way that few other things can. Paint is an impactful way to influence a room. I find that my paint palette has recently shifted to a fresh white, pastels, and muted blue and green tones.

The Introspective Anchor – Benjamin Moore Night Train 1567

This velvety gray is softer than black, and more interesting than charcoal. Its complex smoky undertone reminds me of desert foliage and faded military fatigues. In the right light it takes on a blue tone, but is definitely muted green/gray.  Benjamin Moore Night Train 1567 contrasts warm woods and compliments cool textiles of soft blues and greens.

I use this enticing color as a grounding tool in spaces that are gifted with plenty of natural light. It is beautifully deep, and throughout the day casts tones of green to blue to dusty black, adding a cultivated quality to the space.  Here, I have used Night Train on classic millwork in 2 projects (Connecticut Historic Farmhouse and Highland Park Spanish Home), and the color is a great highlight to the surrounding wood tones.  I could easily see this color paired with sleek black slate counters in a modern kitchen too.

The Mood Lifter – Benjamin Moore Violet Petal 1382

When influencer Camille Styles asked me for my 2022 paint trend prediction, Violet Petal #1382 was the color I chose. After many stressful months I feel, like most people, a desire for purely joyful experiences.  The color that reflects this to me is violet. Shades of purple have regal roots, and especially softer violet and lilac tones are calming and reminiscent of happy things like candy confections, flower and springtime. In our Connecticut Country Estate project, I used it on the walls of the family’s breakfast area.  There are no grumpy mornings in this space!

This shade of violet is a complex, mercurial color, changing tone with the sunlight throughout the day. It’s sometimes gray in tone, and sometimes crisp and bright. I like using this Benjamin Moore paint color as a statement on walls in common areas or guest bedrooms for a luxurious, welcoming vibe.

Crisp, Clear White – Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace OC-65

Selecting a white paint is one of the most delicate decisions a designer has to make. Variations in tone aren’t always obvious on tiny swatches handed out in-store. As a result, subtle changes in tone from one white to another will completely change a space.

My go-to as of late is Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace OC-65. This crisp, clear white is a breath of fresh air for any living space, because it has a perfectly neutral undertone. Paired with many different floors, fabrics and accents, it’ll never look dull, yellow, or too cold. This paint is that one friend you can invite to any dinner party knowing they’ll bring refreshing conversation. 

Finally, seen here at our Connecticut Historic Farmhouse project, Chantilly Lace adds a crisp touch to a clean-lined country kitchen. 

My New Neutral – Benjamin Moore Mount Saint Anne 1565

As you can imagine, “Painting the millwork blue” isn’t always the most approachable conversation with clients—until they see Benjamin Moore’s Mount Saint Anne 1565.  Depending on the light washing over it, you see blue, sometimes a soft green. It is a natural, carefree color.

This paint reminds me of the classic colors of colonial American and Williamsburg interiors, but it’s softer and more subtle.  We used it on the millwork throughout our Connecticut Historic Farmhouse project’s dining room (a nod to the home’s colonial roots). It’s shown below contrasted with cream wallpapered walls to keep the space fresh.

Mount Saint Anne’s mid-toned hue is perfect for when you need a touch of color, but prefer an overall quiet palette.  It won’t overpower the space, but at the same time adds an element of surprise with its ever-changing tone.  Additionally, this color frames our Highland Park Spanish project’s formal living room with timeless subtlety. It works great in all my understated classic interiors!

Liquid Happiness – Benjamin Moore #2052-40 Blue Spa

This is my favorite accent for kids’ rooms.  There’s nothing serious about it—it’s fun, bright, and reminds me of my favorite gemstone–turquoise.  It has a lot of happy connotations for me, like Caribbean beach vacations and western jewelry shopping at Round Top Antique fair. However, this color need not be confined to children’s spaces; It works in any instance where you are seeking pure, extraordinary color.

As you’ll see below, you don’t have to saturate the walls with it for a noticeable punch of color! It’s a great accent on the ceiling or in a line detail, seen here in my Modern Traditional Spanish interior design project. If you’re in need of some non-committal personality, Benjamin Moore #2052-40, Blue Spa is also a great color choice for a focal furniture piece.

Fortunately, no matter the style of the space you’re working with, these Benjamin Moore paint colors are versatile enough to tackle the job. A fresh coat of paint can help you see your space in a whole new light, and that’s all you need to set the tone for a happy spring and summer. For more of my favorite paint colors, please see my past blog post, Color Palettes from a Few Special Projects.