How to Set the Tone at Home

“With color, one obtains an energy that seems to stem from witchcraft,” observed Henri Matisse.

A century later, Mr. Matisse’s words have never rung truer. After the starkness of winter and a year spent indoors, we find ourselves craving color’s timeless magic. The spell of ruby, the serenity of cerulean, the romance of rose – spring, it seems, calls for a change in tone.

“I believe as we are spending so much time in our homes these days, we have reviewed how color can make us feel,” says Patrick O’Donnell, a color consultant at Farrow & Ball, the British design house behind our favorite bespoke paints and wallpapers. “We're looking at palettes that either deliver warmth or calm, or a blend of both.”

Ready for a mindful makeover? Here, Patrick kindly shares tips for painting with purpose and conjuring color’s charms.

Before debating the perfect shade of sapphire, consider something far less sexy: the geography of your room. Areas with lower light – for example, north-facing rooms, or those shaded by trees – will absorb color differently than south-facing, sun-saturated spaces.

“This element can have a massive impact on color,” says Patrick. “So while you may fall in love with a particular shade in a paint showroom, it could look totally different in your room.”

Darker shades, of course, can still work in lower-light rooms. But to create warmth, Patrick recommends considering a cozier hue in the red family.

While it’s easy to swap out a rug, painting is a more ambitious project. Unless you’re prepared to break out the brushes again next spring, don’t let Instagram make your decision.

"While trends can be a great source of inspiration, remember they are just trends, and they ebb and flow quite often," says Patrick. "Look for colors that have some integrity. Ask yourself, 'Can I live with this color for five years?'"

If you’re a color commitment-phobe, stick to tried-and-true interior shades. “Blues and greens are perennial and will always feel timeless, so this is a good starting point,” he adds.

Patrick recently painted his own study Minster Green, a statement-making mossy hue from Farrow & Ball’s Archive Collection.

“Despite its strength, it is so cozy and welcoming and acts as a great foil to all my modern art,” he says. “The paintings and drawings have just come to life.”

If you’re not quite ready to spin the color wheel, you can still make a big impact within your comfort zone. When done correctly, neutrals don’t have to be, well, neutral.

One of Patrick’s favorite palettes these days? Brown.

"In America, brown has been used in interiors with great success, but we have always been more nervous of it in Europe,” he admits.

When selecting a brown, think about the mood you want to create. Perhaps surprisingly, there’s quite a bit of range in the humble hue, from laid-back to luxe.

“Those with a little hint of green, like Mouse’s Back, can feel very cozy and relaxing,” says Patrick. “The more dominant, stronger shades, such as Tanner’s Brown, are effortlessly elegant, especially when teamed with a smart white – delicious in a formal dining room.”

A color truly comes to life when it mixes, mingles, and converses with its surroundings. When writing your room’s color story, pick a protagonist (perhaps the paint, or a statement couch) and then cast your supporting characters.

“I think this is one area where people get really nervous,” says Patrick. “Tonality is a great starting point, but layering a room with accent colors and mixing patterns brings the space to life.”

Even the most colorful, print-heavy room should feel streamlined and thoughtful, not busy. Before making any purchases, spend some time planning the palette, prints, and silhouettes. “Every room is a sum of many parts, so I always suggest creating a real or digital mood board,” says Patrick. “This way, you can introduce or edit color and pattern before you commit.”