If You Only Buy One Design Book on Color, This Should Be It
Before & After: This Front Entry Door Went From “Blah to Tada” With 29 Colors
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There are color lovers, and then there are color lovers with a capital “C” and in all rainbow letters, of course. Jenna Pilant of Room Bloom Design definitely falls into the latter category. Everything this upholstery artist, designer, YouTuber, and blogger touches turns to technicolor, and it was about time the exterior of her California home started to look a little bit more like the rest of her bold, joyous interior. “It was an absolute taupe tragedy — completely uninviting with its brown-on-tan-on-beige exterior,” says Pilant of the front entry. “My entire aesthetic goal with this design project was to give a morsel of the house’s interiors on the exterior, a visual ‘glimpse’ of the rainbow delight that awaits all who walk through this front door.”
So Pilant did what any one looking to make a big impact on a budget would do: She pulled out her trusty paint brush! Instead of selecting just one or two hues to highlight her door’s different sized box panels though, she embarked on a rainbow bright makeover with 29 (!!!!) different shades of Behr paint. Feast your eyes on the finished door below, which pops even more, set against the now black backdrop of her home’s exterior (that got a paint job, too).
How did she come up with her plan here? Inspiration struck one day as she was scrolling on Instagram and saw a piece of artwork hanging in artist Angela Chrusciaki Blehm’s home.”With the insides of this home being under renovation the past few years, the exterior simply was not a priority for me and my brain,” says Pilant. “Then one day — BAM! — this creative notion entered my colorful psyche and just would not quit.”
She decided to paint each of the panels as if they were different multicolored frames. Being the color lover she is, Pilant mapped out a scheme on paper where she wouldn’t use any color more than once, leading to the 29-shade strong door you see here. Naturally though, the swatching and planning process started in the paint aisle at The Home Depot.
Once she settled on her scheme, she coated the body of the door in Behr’s Proper Purple, which became her base color, then she approached each individual square with four different shades total, each appearing on either part of the trim or within the box of each panel. Not only do the vibrant colors she chose highlight the door’s pretty features, but they also create a heightened dimensionality on the door itself. Due to her expert placing of shades, the squares and rectangles appear to be hovering and jutting out in space, not unlike the effects artist Josef Albers explored in his “Homage to the Square” series.
Using this many paint colors might sound expensive or confusing, but if you plan it out first — and use sample pots and/or some leftover colors you might have lying around — you can actually complete a high impact project like this without spending a small fortune. Sure, time will be a factor, since it takes patience pick out a palette and then paint trim work in one shade let alone several. Of course, this DIY involves lots of taping, too, to get crisp, clean paint lines.
All that aside, you could always scale back on shades, maybe just painting the body, trim, and interior squares/rectangles different hues to max out at three shades total. For Pilant though, this project, in all its 29 shade glory, was worth the wait and effort.
“I delight in how the after of this entry exudes the temple of vibrancy you’re about to enter; it makes my technicolor heart skip a beat every single time I see it,” she says of the door. “There’s nothing in this world I enjoy more than taking something from BLAH to TADA!”
28 Ways to Instantly Add Color (Yes, Every Color) to Your Home
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Here at Apartment Therapy, it’s no secret that color is everything. Obviously, we love highlighting colorful homes and DIY projects 24/7, but, for the third year in a row, we’ve actually deemed all of July — drum roll, please — Color Month.
When it comes down to it, color’s the backbone of every decorating decision you make, from your wall finishes to your furniture picks. Should you go with the blue or gray couch? The pink or green art? Even if you prefer neutrals, you’re still making a color choice and commitment. In that way, leaning into your favorite palettes and hues is the most surefire way to add your own pop of personality at home.
In the spirit of Color Month, I browsed the home decor sphere for the best finds for every spot of the rainbow — from peach to emerald to rust. With a range of throws, vases, candles, and even clocks, there’s things here you wouldn’t necessarily think to splash with color… but that look oh-so-good with it. Not big on decorating with bright tones? No problem; you’ll still find pieces that pack a colorful punch without feeling super in-your-face (and who knows, you may think differently after seeing what’s in store right now). Whether you go straight to your go-to hues or can’t wait to see the full spectrum, celebrate Color Month in style with the 28 home decor staples ahead.
1. Lennox Valencia Cocktail Glass
Empty corner, meet versatile boho storage basket. This blue textured number can truly stash it all — in style, to boot: throws, workout gear, magazines, and even your laundry.
Buy: Kora Basket, $78.00 from Anthropologie
3. Abstract Framed Wall Canvas
4. Savannah Round Throw Pillows
Hop on the contemporary candle bandwagon with the coveted Lex Pott two-in-one twist. In this cool lavender tone, it’s basically a wax work of art, but note that each wick can burn up to ten hours if you’re looking to actually put it to use.
Buy: Lex Pott Twist Candle, $40.00 from Nordstrom
The easiest way to up the ante on your hosting game? Just add color… and agate. Endless, brightly backlit charcuterie spreads await you with this stone board.
7. Kate Spade New York Desk Organizer
8. Linen Waffle Bed Throw
Don’t (or do) sleep on this waffle fabric lavender throw. It’s a welcome touch of texture and a pop of color, whether draped over the sofa or the end of your bed.
Buy: Linen Waffle Bed Throw, $99.00 from Verishop
9. Blush Abstract Symbols Pouf
Poufs may be small, but this one’s certainly mighty in terms of pattern, color palette, and comfort. Broaden your seating options — especially in compact rooms — with a dash of dusty rose using this versatile piece.
You really can’t ever have enough decorative vases, especially when they’re modern, sculptural, and handcrafted to peachy perfection. Buy one for a side table or cluster a few together on a shelf.
Buy: The Lotta Vase, $44.00 from Etsy
Designed to be used individually or stacked with mix-and-match sizes, this decorative tray collection runs the color gamut. The soft pink, though, makes for a subtle organizing accessory on a nightstand, table, or console.
12. Pink Current Removable Wallpaper
If you’re itching to add floor-to-ceiling color to a room, consider renter-friendly textural pink temporary wallpaper. Stock up on this kind of design for every wall in a room to go all-color-everything or just even frame a swatch as new art.
Buy: Pink Current Removable Wallpaper, $79.00 from Urban Outfitters
13. Farmhouse Ticking Stripe Red Euro Sham
Bright red, leather, and envelope-inspired, this supple basket goes to show that out-in-the-open storage should never have to be bland. Rethink your entryway, living room, or even kitchen with a few of these to store any essentials you might want organized.
Buy: Viv Leather Basket, $98.00 from Anthropologie
No matter your desk color, a little pop of red goes a long way — especially when it can, quite literally, brighten things up. This lamp’s compact footprint makes it a stunner for surfaces of any size.
Buy: Chente 19.8″ Desk Lamp, $101.99 from Wayfair
If you’re looking for eye-catching wall decor that goes beyond art and tapestries, it’s time to add this vibrant clock to your collection… get it? You can even take your pick of black or white hands.
Buy: Numbers Clock, $31.99 from Society6
17. Marimekko Oiva Unikko Stoneware Coffee Cups
18. Chloe Patchwork Gauze Curtain
What do you get when you combine airy patchwork fabric and a rich honey hue? Breezy curtains that make your room look like a sunset oasis when the light hits just right.
Buy: Chloe Patchwork Gauze Curtain, $49.00 per panel from Urban Outfitters
If you’re big on neutrals, consider rust the perfect color jumping off point. The burnt-orange tone looks totally evergreen and pops especially well against lighter hues, particularly in blanket form as seen here.
Buy: Rust Throw Blanket, $54.95 from Etsy
20. Heather Taylor Home Gingham Bath Mat
21. Voluspa Limited Edition Cut Glass Jar Candle
23. Brilliant Yellow Pillow Covers
Set a bright scene year-round wherever you put this pillow cover set. The yellow color and corduroy combo makes them all the more eye-catching (and cozy!), and you can’t argue with the price.
Buy: Brilliant Yellow Pillow Covers, $12.88 from Amazon for a set of 2
24. Sunshine Yellow Poppies Art Print
26. Jade Colored Glass Vase
Inspired by classic Chinese porcelain vases, this modern green spin can turn any plants or flowers into an artful display. The light-catching piece looks just as alluring on its own, too.
Buy: Jade Colored Glass Vase, Starting at $30.00 from West Elm
27. Mid Century Orb Pillows
It’s all about the sphere pillow right now, but set yours apart with a sleek fern shade and varied sizing (this set features one small and one large). They’ll be lasting comfy (and colorful) living room staples.
Buy: Mid-Century 2-Pc Orb Pillows, $158.00 from Kardiel