Color is one of the most powerful design tools we have—and it goes far beyond aesthetics. It can ground you, lift your spirits, energize a room, or wrap it in calm.
At William Adams Design, color isn’t just a finishing touch—it’s a foundational design element, one I use in nearly every project to help clients feel something meaningful when they walk into their space.
That connection is personal for me. A few years ago, I bought a home with the intention of flipping it. Then life had other plans. I met Brandon, and together, we’ve turned this house into our home. One of the most transformative decisions we made was painting the dining room Benjamin Moore’s Warm Cognac—a rich, saturated color we fell in love with during a trip to a boutique hotel in Amsterdam.
That room became more than a dining space. It became our room to gather, to host, to laugh, to make memories. And that one color—deep, warm, emotional—became the soul of our home.
That’s what color can do. It can tell a love story. It can hold space for joy. It can make a house feel like it belongs to you.
The Science Behind Color Psychology
We often think of color as visual, but in reality, it’s deeply emotional. Science tells us that color can influence our mood, stress levels, productivity, and overall sense of well-being.
Cool tones can reduce anxiety and slow the heart rate. Warm tones can stimulate conversation and creativity. Neutral palettes can help us reset.
Across history and cultures, color has carried meaning—royalty, power, peace, celebration. In modern design, understanding the emotional impact of color is essential, especially in high-end spaces where luxury is about more than beauty—it’s about how the space makes you feel.
Creating Emotional Landscapes Through Color
Tranquility Palettes
For bedrooms, wellness spaces, and meditation rooms, I often reach for soft blues, warm grays, saturated greens, and layered neutrals. These colors promote calm and clarity.
But calm doesn’t mean bland. The richness comes through texture—linen, velvet, matte tile, brushed finishes—that bring quiet colors to life.
Energizing Environments
Kitchens, dining rooms, and living areas benefit from color with energy. A pop of rust, ochre, or coral can transform a space from polite to magnetic. In my own dining room, that Warm Cognac paint gives the space a golden glow, especially in the evening. It invites conversation, clinking glasses, and lingering a little longer.
Focus and Creativity
Home offices and studios need colors that stimulate without overwhelming—like steel blue, sage, or smoky charcoal. These colors support clarity, especially when paired with natural light and grounded textures like wood and leather.
Luxury Color Applications Room by Room
Primary Bedrooms
Think of this space as your personal sanctuary. Color here should calm and restore—often using muted palettes, natural tones, and strategic lighting to support circadian rhythm and rest.
Kitchens
I love introducing color in cabinetry, backsplashes, or islands. Even a rich, jeweled-toned green or pop of pink can feel timeless when balanced with stone and metal finishes. The right color in a kitchen makes the space feel warm, not clinical—especially important in a space where people gather and connect.
Living Areas
These are storytelling spaces. Your palette should evolve throughout the day with the light. Here we play with contrast, layered hues, and artwork to bring the room to life.
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Bathrooms
Spa-like doesn’t have to mean all white. Sage, sand, clay, and even charcoal can add depth and serenity—especially when paired with natural materials like stone and wood.
Practical Implementation for Lasting Impact
Color is deeply personal. That’s why we take time to test swatches in your actual space, at different times of day, with your furniture and finishes.
From walls and millwork to textiles, tile, and art, we use color as a layering tool. In luxury design, it’s not about throwing in color for the sake of drama—it’s about building an emotional landscape that supports your lifestyle and reflects your story.
Our goal is to create a home where color flows thoughtfully from room to room, with just the right amount of surprise.
Final Thoughts
Color changes everything. It shapes how we feel, how we move through our homes, how we connect with the people we love.
In our own home, that’s meant transforming a once-neutral dining room into a room that feels bold, soulful, and completely ours. In your home, that could mean anything from a rich cabinet finish to a soft, immersive bedroom wall color.
If you’re ready to explore how color can transform your space emotionally, spiritually, and aesthetically—let’s talk.
We’d be honored to help craft your home’s emotional symphony—one intentional color at a time.
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