Inspiration is everywhere. While John and I were waiting for a friend at the spa (yes, we were that casual—hanging out in the lobby without getting a massage), I couldn’t resist photographing some beautiful packaging and its striking color combinations. I admit I took pictures of soap and candle displays, but it was all in the name of design research. Everyday objects—a painting, a treasured necklace, or a scented candle—can spark a room scheme or even an entire home palette.
Take this delicate sachet and soap packaging as an example; its ethereal colors are lovely and easy to build a home palette around:
We’re drawn to layering sea-glass greens and blues with moody grays. To recreate this look across several rooms, consider Benjamin Moore’s Paradiso 717 for the bright blue, Sesame 381 for the soft green, Silver Sage 506 for the gray, and Springview Green 491 for the pale green. If you prefer to apply the palette to a single room, pick one tone for the walls and introduce the others in upholstery, bedding, and accessories. White plays an important supporting role here—breezy white curtains, a slipcovered sofa, or fluffy white bedding will keep the palette feeling fresh and light.
For cost savings, you can pick up these paint chips at a Benjamin Moore store and have them color-matched at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or other brands such as Behr, Valspar, Olympic, or Glidden. We’ve personally used color-matched paints from these brands with great results.
Next is a playful, punchy palette that would work beautifully in a modern home with crisp whites and deep inky blues—the darker navy plays well as an anchor, inspired by those blue candle boxes:
The pink, lime, and purple hues are fun for a nursery or playroom, but they also translate to a chic family room. Imagine stark white walls, a streamlined peacock-blue sofa, and airy curtains in the same hue. Bring in the accent colors sparingly: a lime vase on a white lacquered coffee table, two pink ceramic lamps flanking the sofa, and complementary lime and purple throw pillows. For similar paint matches try Benjamin Moore’s Blue Viola 1424 for purple, Artichoke Hearts 382 for the lime, and Angelina 1376 for the pink.
Here’s a simple three-color scheme that relies on lots of white plus a dark evergreen, a soft lime, and a subtle hint of blue found in the packaging:
Try Northern Air 1676 for the blue, Sesame 381 for the soft lime, and Oak Grove 489 for the deep green. Use the blue sparingly—on accent pieces or painted furniture—if you don’t want the walls to feel too juvenile or bright. It makes a charming color for accessories, cabinetry, or a statement chair.
Next is a restrained palette that proves three similar tones are anything but boring:
With cream walls like Benjamin Moore’s Winter Wheat 232 and two inky blue tones—Lakeside Cabin 1658 and Spellbound 1659—you get high contrast and elegance. Texture is crucial here: printed pillows, a nubby rug, and tone-on-tone patterns add depth and keep the scheme from feeling flat.
For a more feminine direction, consider a palette of deep plum, medium pink, metallic gold, and a whisper-soft pink:
The subtle pink—try Benjamin Moore’s Wild Aster 1240—works beautifully on walls. Add bedding, upholstery, and accessories in deeper pinks and plums such as Victoriana 1263 and Ruby Dusk 1267. Introduce metallic warmth with hammered gold trays or brass lamps. Painting a dresser in the rich plum tone creates a striking focal point.
Another balanced option pairs cream, persimmon, and two inky blues for a modern classic palette that’s crisp without being overwhelming:
This scheme would suit a moody den or home office. Use a lighter inky blue on the walls like Lakeside Cabin 1658, with accents in Winter Wheat 232, Spellbound 1659, and a warm persimmon such as Pilgrimage Foliage 2175-20. Dark wood furniture and cream upholstery complement the palette for a refined atmosphere.
Finally, a soft, serene scheme combines beachy blues and greens with a touch of pale pink:
White is essential here—white bedding and curtains will let the soft greens, blues, and pinks breathe. For similar tones, try Benjamin Moore’s Paris Romance 1262 for the pink, Sesame 381 for the soft lime, and Blue Haze 1667 for the blue.
When painting a room, collect all the swatches. Even if you choose a single wall color, having the full set of chips helps you shop for accessories. Hold swatches up to lamps, pillows, art, and furniture to confirm color harmony before you buy.
So that’s the outcome of our spa visit: no treatments, but plenty of decor inspiration. Have you ever seen something unrelated to interiors and instantly pictured a room around it? Or do you and your partner own a favorite item or artwork you both love that could guide a color choice? If it’s a shared favorite, it’s a great way to settle decorating decisions because you both already agree on the colors.