Designer Kelly Wearstler Talks Her New California-Inspired Paint Collection

Kelly Wearstler, a prominent figure in contemporary American design, views design as an intuitive process akin to falling in love repeatedly. Her distinctive style, characterized by sumptuous and vibrant interiors, is evident in high-end residences and luxury hotels worldwide, from Beverly Hills to the Caribbean. Wearstler's design philosophy is deeply influenced by a wide array of sources, including global travel, nature, architecture, fashion, graphic design, literature, and art, with particular admiration for the works of Pierre Cardin, Oscar Niemeyer, Carlo Scarpa, Louis Kahn, Gio Ponti, and Carlo Mollino. Her eponymous luxury-lifestyle brand encompasses a broad spectrum of design services, including residential, hospitality, and commercial interior design, alongside curated collections of furniture, lighting, rugs, fabrics, wallcoverings, tiles, luxe bedding, fine china, and decorative home accessories. Wearstler's design approach is marked by a sophisticated contrast of raw and refined elements, a harmonious blend of color, and a thoughtful integration of diverse periods of furniture. This unique methodology has earned her recognition on prestigious lists such as Architectural Digest’s Top 100 Architecture & Interior Design, Elle Décor’s A-List, Wallpaper’s Top 20 Designers, and TIME Style & Design’s Design 100. She conceptualizes each project as an opportunity for storytelling, aiming to create evocative, adventurous, and soulful narratives through a rich mix of materials and influences. Her mantra, “love color, take risks, stay curious,” guides her attraction to designs that intelligently utilize materiality, juxtapose various historical styles, and introduce an element of surprise. Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 1967, Wearstler honed her skills in interior and graphic design at the Massachusetts College of Art. After relocating to the West Coast, she launched her design business, initially gaining traction with the Avalon Hotel in Beverly Hills. This success paved the way for numerous international projects, including the Viceroy Santa Monica, multiple properties for the Viceroy Group, and the Four Seasons Anguilla, where she skillfully merged natural elements like driftwood and petrified wood with global textiles to redefine Caribbean luxury. Her portfolio also features the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant in New York City, which elegantly combines elements from the 1930s to the 1970s, and the Compartés flagship store in Los Angeles, a modern reinterpretation of classic European chocolate shops. Her residential work spans high-profile homes for celebrity clients like Cameron Diaz, Gwen Stefani, and Ben Stiller. A current venture, Proper Hospitality, involves the design of high-end residences and hotels, with completed projects including the Hollywood Proper Residences, Santa Monica Proper Hotel, and San Francisco Proper Hotel. These projects showcase her signature blend of vintage and new furnishings, custom lighting, bespoke elements, and local artworks. Upcoming Proper hotels in Austin and Downtown Los Angeles further demonstrate her expansive vision. Wearstler emphasizes the importance of client collaboration, stating that the most successful projects arise when clients actively voice their vision. Her role is to interpret and filter these ideas, creating spaces that evoke specific moods and tell compelling stories. She stresses the significance of scale and hierarchy within a space, advocating for a thoughtful mix of texture, history, pattern, and color to achieve balance and allow statement pieces to stand out. Her creative process involves deep research into a location's history and architecture, followed by an intuitive selection of art, rugs, and vintage pieces to establish the core vibe. She uses “vibe trays” to visualize how all elements, textures, and colors will harmoniously interact within a space, sourcing unique items from around the globe to curate truly distinctive environments. Wearstler sees windows as framed artworks that integrate external elements and colors into the interior, further enhancing the cohesive design narrative. Throughout her career, Wearstler has continually challenged herself, taking risks and expanding her artistic horizons. She views her clients, particularly those from the film, music, and art industries, as vital partners and teachers, each contributing unique perspectives that enrich her design process. A key distinction in her work is the tailored approach to residential versus hospitality projects; while both receive the same passion and explorative process, hospitality designs require a greater focus on commercial specifications and creating a comfortable, home-like atmosphere unique to the location. Turning points in her career include the Avalon Hotel, the Bergdorf Goodman restaurant, and the large-scale Westfield Century City renovation, all of which pushed her creative boundaries and fostered a sense of accomplishment. Wearstler's home collections target individuals who appreciate art, travel, and thoughtful details, offering environments designed to expand experiences and heighten senses. Her ongoing projects continue to explore new commercial and residential ventures globally, consistently seeking the next design adventure. #KellyWearstler #InteriorDesign #ModernAmericanDesign #LuxuryInteriors #HospitalityDesign #ResidentialDesign #DesignPhilosophy #ArchitecturalDesign #StorytellingInDesign

Behr Paint's annual Color of the Year campaign aims to alleviate 'color paralysis' among DIYers by providing a single, on-trend color to inspire home renovation projects. This strategy is backed by consumer insights, indicating that offering a trending color instills confidence in consumers, motivating them to undertake projects. Andy Lopez, Global Head of Marketing at Behr, highlights that the Color of the Year, since its inception seven years ago, has consistently driven a 300% increase in color sales within the first 90 days of its launch. The campaign's success is attributed to its ability to evolve while sustaining consumer interest and media attention. The 2025 Color of the Year, a deep ruby red named "Rumors," was selected based on extensive research into global trends across various industries like fashion, automotive, and technology, as well as home decor trends. This rigorous process, spanning nine to twelve months, involves narrowing down potential colors and validating choices through widespread consumer surveys. For "Rumors," research revealed that 76% of Americans would consider painting a room or wall red, and 60% feel energized by its use in home design, providing strong data to support its national launch. Behr continually seeks to innovate its Color of the Year campaign. This year, in addition to its ongoing partnership with The Home Depot for retail activations and marketing, new elements were introduced. These include a collaboration with beauty company Olive & June for a nail polish color matching "Rumors," a social media sweepstakes on Instagram and TikTok, and an experiential reveal event for partners and press. These initiatives are designed to reach a broader and younger audience, recognizing that this demographic will form the largest segment of future homeowners. The surprising partnerships, particularly with Olive & June, aim to position Behr as a color leader beyond traditional paint, engaging younger consumers who might be entering the DIY space for the first time. The campaign strategically targets entry-level DIY projects, such as painting a bench or a hallway, to build confidence in new DIYers. This approach encourages a 'domino effect,' where initial small projects lead to more ambitious ones, like painting an entire room. The Color of the Year campaign is integral to Behr's larger marketing strategy, which focuses on making color selection easier and guiding consumers through their paint journey more efficiently. The timing of the campaign launch in August is also strategic, coinciding with the period when most DIY projects are undertaken, from March to September, providing motivation for those delaying projects. The partnership with The Home Depot is mutually beneficial. Behr contributes its color expertise, while The Home Depot offers its trends and design expertise, along with a wide array of decor items, creating a one-stop shop for consumers. This collaboration allows for the validation of Behr's color choices and the development of comprehensive project ideas that integrate the Color of the Year with various home styles and aesthetics. The campaign effectively leverages market insights, innovative partnerships, and strategic timing to maintain its relevance and drive consumer engagement in the home improvement sector. #BehrPaint #ColorOfTheYear #HomeRenovation #DIYProjects #MarketingStrategy #ConsumerInsights #TheHomeDepot #BrandPartnerships #SocialMediaMarketing

Martha Stewart has launched a new paint collection, “MARTHA by Martha Stewart Collection of Wall Colors,” in collaboration with Fine Paints of Europe. This latest venture showcases 40 curated colors, described as timeless, sophisticated, and comforting, reflecting Stewart’s signature aesthetic. The palette offers a diverse range of warm and cool tones, as well as varying saturations, designed to complement any interior space. Available shades include creamy whites, buttery yellows, powdery blues, and muted browns and pinks, ensuring a selection that appeals to a broad audience. The collection is not limited to standard wall applications, as it also provides three different formulations suitable for various surfaces such as ceilings, woodwork, doors, and trim. Customers can further customize their finishes by choosing from flat, matte, satin, and brilliant options, allowing for precise control over the desired visual effect. A notable detail within the collection is the naming convention for some of the paint colors, which pays homage to Martha Stewart’s personal life and extensive career. For instance, “Bedford Gray” is a mid-tone gray that references her renowned farmhouse property in Bedford, New York, while “Fennel Seed Green” alludes to her expertise in cooking and gardening. Stewart emphasized that the paint line's inspiration comes from nature, with a focus on creating homes that are both functional and visually appealing. This natural influence is evident in color names like “Araucana Blue,” “Slip Stream,” and “Ursa Major Yellow.” This new line marks a continuation of Stewart’s long-standing relationship with Fine Paints of Europe, which spans over 30 years. Their initial collaboration, the “Colors of the Garden” collection, was introduced in 1994, followed by several other nature-inspired paint releases. Stewart has also previously launched a successful line of crafting paints. A significant advantage of this new paint collection is its accessibility, as it can be purchased directly through Amazon. While the price point is on the higher side, at $125 for a container slightly smaller than a standard gallon of paint, the article suggests that the quality and Martha Stewart’s endorsement make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking premium options. The article concludes by highlighting the appeal of decorating one’s home with colors personally selected by Martha Stewart. #MarthaStewart #PaintCollection #HomeDecor #InteriorDesign #FinePaintsOfEurope #ColorPalette #WallColors #HomeImprovement #Amazon

This article highlights the work of renowned California interior designer Kelly Wearstler, focusing on her furniture collection launched in partnership with E.J. Victor. Wearstler, known for her avant-garde and exciting approach to design, is celebrated for her unique sense of flair, evident in her dramatic lighting and exquisite furniture pieces. The collection, which debuted to significant acclaim, is characterized by its fashion-forward yet expensive nature, catering to a clientele seeking high-end design. The collection emphasizes the use of luxurious materials, including alabaster, burnished bronze, marble, ruched leather, bleached ash, ebonized walnut, cerused wood, fractured glass, and goat fur. These materials are meticulously combined to create pieces that embody a "raw and refined" aesthetic, a signature style of Wearstler. Examples of her distinctive designs include the limited-edition Bejeweled Stool, priced at $28,000, which is adorned with semi-precious stones. Another notable piece is the Trousdale dining table, valued at $17,500, featuring an intricate inlaid top with geometric blocks. The table is presented in both natural oak, which evokes a 1960s aesthetic, and ebonized oak, where the dark parquet creates a rich interplay of grain. The furniture range extends beyond dining tables and stools to include beds, chests, and various upholstery options. Wearstler's design philosophy aims for a modern yet timeless appeal. This is achieved through distinctive details such as rough stone hardware paired with gunmetal, and bronze mirrors encircled with chunks of jewels. The collection also features unlacquered perforated bronze, handcrafted into console and dining tables designed to develop a unique patina over time. Additionally, an architectural side table is crafted from stripes of honed black and white marble, showcasing a striking visual contrast. E.J. Victor, the manufacturing partner, is recognized for its history of producing esteemed collections for prominent designers like Ralph Lauren and Aerin, the granddaughter of Estee Lauder. Wearstler's collaboration with E.J. Victor places her in a distinguished category of designers. Her work is seen as catering to individuals with discerning tastes and the means to acquire high-value design pieces. Some industry observers have credited Wearstler with pioneering a revolution in modern American design, continually pushing boundaries with her innovative and opulent creations. #InteriorDesign #FurnitureDesign #LuxuryInteriors #KellyWearstler #ModernDesign #TimelessDesign #HighEndFurniture #DesignerCollection #HomeDecor