theconnectionsnj.com HOME & DESIGN PAGE 36 Fair Street Interiors fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com fairstreetinteriors@gmail.com 908-334-1953 Gail Bicknell, ASID, CAPS antone named its Color of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer #11-4201. According to Pantone, it’s “a lofty white that serves as a symbol of calming influence in a society rediscovering the value of quiet reflection. A billowy white imbued with serenity, (it) encourages true relaxation and focus, allowing the mind to wander and creativity to breathe, making room for innovation.” This has created quite a bit of chatter in the design world. Traditionally, white has symbolized youth and purity, cleanliness and freshness. Or nothingness. I’ll let each of you decide if the choice of white is ridiculous or sublime? Color is one of the most fundamental ways to create a mood in the home. Light colors open space, making rooms feel expansive and calm. Dark colors can make a room feel cozy, secretive, exclusive and moody. Classic, similar alternatives to white are the thousands of light neutrals you can find~ivory, buff, cream, oatmeal with overtones of gray or beige. You truly can’t go wrong with these colors. Benjamin Moore’s #OC-10 White Sand, #OC-20 Pale Oak and #OC-57 White Heron are three of my favorites. And let’s not forget the most popular of the Historic Color palette during the 90’s, #HC172 Revere Pewter, which still works incredibly well in many applications. Consider warm oranges and reds which feel dramatic and bold. Red can be stirring, patriotic (think a uniform or flag), or romantic (roses, sunsets) or even disturbing, unsettling or violent. Softer warm colors such as pinks, salmons, peaches and yellows evoke energy, femininity, optimism and warmth. Sherwin Williams Lemon Chiffon #6686 is a timeless yellow and is projected by House Beautiful to be in kitchen cabinets this year as a sunny alternative to white. Farrow & Ball #311 Scallop is a perfect palest pink. Blues and greens evoke nature, growth, refreshment and tranquility. Soft pastels used in children’s rooms and bathrooms feel fresh, clean and inviting. Deep, rich navy and forest greens feel grounded and organic. Two blues and a green I absolutely love are Sherwin Williams #6244 Naval, #7604 Smoky Blue and Benjamin Moore #HC-187 Black Forest Green. Blacks and almost-blacks are powerful and should be used intentionally, creating feelings of richness, strength and glamour. Sherwin Williams #6258 Tricorn Black and Farrow & Ball #93 Studio Green are fabulous colors if you’re seeking dark moodiness or want to create a little high drama. Think about the way you want your room or space to feel. For example, calm or active? If it’s a family space, it will likely be active, full of people, with lots going on. A more private space, such as a primary suite, will probably be calmer, quieter, restful. Choose colors that evoke the emotions or feelings you want to have in that place. Paint finish matters, too. A high gloss finish can look glamorous and energetic reflecting light back to the eye. Softer matte and flat finishes look velvety and serene. Where color is used in the room has an effect as well. To make a high ceiling feel lower, paint it in a dark tone. To make a ceiling feel higher, paint should be light. This is why most ceilings are painted a flat, non-reflective white~to visually enlarge the room. Similarly, dark floors ground a room, light floors expand it. Color is deeply personal. Pay attention. Consider it. Identify what you’re attracted to. Experiment. And enjoy! Gail Bicknell, Owner/ Designer Fair Street Interiors fairstreetinteriors.squarespace.com HINTS HOME FOR THE Color and Mood By Gail Bicknell, ASID, CAPS P Pantone Cloud Dancer Sherwin Williams Lemon Chiffon #6686 is a time ourfifthhouse The Spruce Benjamin Moore Black Forest Green
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