We’re fans of a cheeky pop culture nod, and we’re even bigger fans of painting—walls, paneling, brick, large ceramic roosters… A big part of any painting project is choosing the right color. Paint chips are like potato chips to us (we can’t stop at just one), and Benjamin Moore has long been our go-to. Their color library is enormous, so it’s no surprise we’ve used their shades throughout our home: Sesame in the kitchen, Moonshine in the living and dining rooms, Proposal in Clara’s room, and Dragonfly behind our dining room built-ins. When it came time to tackle our office built-ins and kitchen cabinets, we chose Benjamin Moore’s Advance paint after hearing so many recommendations from contractors and readers. We’ve even used their paints on a number of secret book projects—on walls and furniture pieces that are still under wraps.
So when Benjamin Moore invited us to curate a personal collection of favorite colors, it felt like a dream come true. It’s pretty wild to see our header on their site and to think about the hours we spent narrowing down options.
After months of sorting through swatches—literally thousands—we selected 32 colors that felt versatile, timeless, and inspiring. Our goal was to help anyone who freezes in front of a wall full of chips by offering a smaller, thoughtfully curated palette. The process involved covering our sectional with swatches, testing combinations, and swapping tones until the collection felt right. Like our other side projects—writing for our magazine or working on a book—this partnership helped support our work, but it also let us indulge in one of our favorite pastimes: playing with paint.
Some colors in the collection are ones we already live with on our walls, others are hues we’ve admired for years but haven’t yet used at home, and a few were colors we tested for the book. While many of these shades work beautifully on full walls, we also organized the palette by suggested uses—trim and doors, cabinetry, accent pieces—so you can visualize how a color might function in different ways throughout a home.
We especially love using bold accent colors to enliven a space. Consider these applications:
- Paint a media cabinet, dresser, bed frame, desk, or chair to create a focal point
- Create original artwork on a large canvas to cover a wall and tie the room together
- Paint a collection of frames the same color to unify the display and add drama
- Add color to lamp bases, baskets, or tabletop accessories for subtle pops
- Paint the back wall of a bookcase or built-in to introduce depth and interest
When choosing a color, a few practical tips can help you decide: test full-size sample swatches on different walls to see the color in morning and evening light; view colors next to the finishes and furnishings that will remain in the room; and consider the finish—eggshell and satin are forgiving for walls, while semi-gloss works well on trim and cabinetry for durability and easy cleaning. If you’re painting cabinets, use a paint formulated for cabinetry and trim for the best results, like the products many professionals prefer.
Seeing our collection featured alongside designers we admire was surreal. I may have screamed a few times when I noticed our mugs displayed under Candice Olson’s—an excitement that startled the dog and delighted our toddler, who joined in toward the end.
This project has been exciting to share. If you’re overwhelmed by a wall of swatches, we hope this curated selection gives you a smaller, approachable set of options to consider. Color has the power to change the mood of a room, highlight architectural details, and reflect personal memories—so whether you prefer a perfect neutral, a bold hue, or a shade that reminds you of a special place, trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to test and live with a color before committing.