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Color Wheel

From Lavender to Brown, Discover the Paint Trends Our Experts are Excited About for 2023

Words by Olivia Lidbury
a living room filled with furniture and a fire place

Photo courtesy of Studio Duggan

Much like in fashion, paint color trends come and go. So whose turn is it to step into the spotlight now?

 

Martin Brudnizki—designer behind some of the world’s best restaurants, private clubs, and hotels—and London-based Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan are backing brown: “it’s so much warmer and more flattering than the ubiquitous grays of days gone by, and much easier to use with greens and nudes,” says Tiffany. “Along with creams, these feel like reassuringly traditional and grounding colors for less than certain times.”

Elsewhere, LA-based Mark Sikes predicts the return of clean, white paints: “It feels like we're in need of an inspirational palette cleanser and a fresh start.” Looking into her crystal ball, former fashion executive Jenna Lyons thinks soft pinks will dominate over the next year. “A lot of my clients are into this—which totally works for me!” We canvassed these four Experts to discover which other shades they’re most excited about right now.

Unapologetically Pink

a living room filled with furniture and a large window
a kitchen with wooden cabinets and a white sink

Photo courtesy of Martin Brudnizki

Photo courtesy of Studio Duggan

“Portola’s Roman Clay in Full Circle possesses the softest blush undertone which makes everything glow without being saccharine.” —Jenna Lyons

a white paint with a white background
Portola's Roman Clay in Full CircleSHOP NOW

“Edward Bulmer’s Jonquil is a lovely yellow-based pink with a bit of a cult following (and for good reason). It works equally well in both traditional and contemporary interiors and has the appearance of somewhat moody raw plaster. We have used Jonquil on walls, woodwork, ceilings and kitchen cabinets—it is unbelievably versatile.” —Tiffany Duggan

a light beige color on a white background
Edward Bulmer's JonquilSHOP NOW

“For an alternative to pink, lavender is wonderful and enjoying a comeback with the return to the 1980s Laura Ashley-type aesthetic we are experiencing. It’s a wonderfully light and natural color. We used Edward Bulmer’s Lavender in a recent project in New York for Hotel Barrière Fouquet where it provides a lovely nod to France.” —Martin Brudnizki

a bottle of paint with a white background
Edward Bulmer's LavenderSHOP NOW

A Vote for Brown

a living room filled with furniture and a large window

Photo courtesy of Mark D. Sikes

London Brown by Edward Bulmer is a favorite. We often look to brighten up rooms with lighter or more neutral shades but brown is a neglected color. Sometimes it works best in a small room to make it feel cozier; other times it can feel quite grand in a room with high proportions.” —Martin Brudnizki

a brown circle with a white background
Edward Bulmer's London BrownSHOP NOW

Tanner's Brown from Farrow & Ball is perfect in an urban environment, especially with a lacquered finish on the walls. I'd pair it with ivory upholstered furniture, gilt finishes, and French antiques.” —Mark Sikes

a black circle on a white background
Farrow and Ball's Tanner's BrownSHOP NOW

Brinjal by Farrow & Ball is an excellent choice for injecting a little sophisticated drama to a space. It looks wonderful paired with lilac pinks, greens, and creams. If you don’t want to go full cover, using it on woodwork against a more muted wall is super smart too.” —Tiffany Duggan

a dark brown color with a white background
Farrow and Ball's BrinjalSHOP NOW

Inspired by Nature

a hallway with green walls and red curtains
a room with a desk, chair, bookshelf and a window

Design by Martin Brudnizki; Photo by Henry Bourne

Photo courtesy of Mark D. Sikes

“Green is always in fashion as it is a color that goes with every other color and is essentially grounded in nature. Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer manages to shapeshift throughout the day from a deep soft tone in low light to a vibrant shade in direct sun.” —Martin Brudnizki

a green circle with a white background
Edward Bulmer's Invisible GreenSHOP NOW

Skylight by Farrow & Ball is one of my favorites for primary bedrooms and sitting rooms. It's such a soft and calming color that looks amazing with patterned upholstery.” —Mark Sikes

a white paint bottle with a white background
Farrow and Ball's SkylightSHOP NOW

“For a muted blue-green that manages to appear both fresh and earthy, Sobek by Paint and Paper Library looks more paired back when layered with other greens and blues. A contrast color such as terracotta can be used to make it sing.” —Tiffany Duggan

a light green paint with a white background
Paint and Paper Library's SobekSHOP NOW

Neutrals for Now

a green chair sitting next to a wooden dresser

Photo courtesy of Jenna Lyons

“Portola’s lime washes in Spectre and Wings are the perfect foolproof grays. The finish gives them depth and a gentle texture.” —Jenna Lyons

a white paint bottle with a white background
Portola's Lime Wash in SectreSHOP NOW
a white paint bottle with a white background
Portola's Lime Wash in WingsSHOP NOW

Pointing by Farrow & Ball is a great, fresh white. For creative spaces, like our own offices, it provides the perfect blank slate for inspiration and ideas. I love an all-white room with Noguchi lanterns, lacquered Parsons tables, and Bielecky Brothers wicker.” —Mark Sikes

a white paint bottle with a white background
Farrow and Ball's PointingSHOP NOW

“Benjamin Moore’s White Dove is literally perfect—not too bright white, not too gray and not yellow at all. It just works and It's always my go-to.” —Jenna Lyons

a white paint with a white background
Benjamin Moore's White DoveSHOP NOW

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