Craving color to replace a gray and white kitchen

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, joined The Washington Post staff writer Jura Koncius recently on its Home Front online chat. Here is an edited excerpt:

Q. I was sure I wanted a white kitchen (white cabinets, white marble countertops) with gray walls, but I am suddenly seeing that color scheme everywhere and am now completely sick of the white kitchen/gray walls combination. Any ideas on how to add some color to a kitchen? I was thinking of a butcher block island, pietra cardosa countertops and cabinets painted Farrow & Ball's Bluegreen or Cooking Apple Green. Not sure what color the walls will be painted just yet. I'm open to suggestions, even for bright colors.

A. Actually, you have already answered your question! Thank you for mentioning what you are thinking about doing with color because that should always be the first clue about the direction to go in. If you are bored with blandness and feel the need for color, then go with the Cooking Apple Green. It will feel cheery and vibrant. As I am constantly telling people, be a bit brave with your choices, especially with paint colors, as they can be changed so easily when you get tired of them and feel it is time for another change.

Q. My Shaker-style kitchen cabinets are a warm cream with a matching cream subway tile backsplash. Countertops are absolute black granite. The walls are a warm blush/beige color with white trim. I would like to repaint the walls a lighter neutral and prefer light grays. I'm willing to repaint the cabinets, but I'm stuck with the cream backsplash. Any ideas for a wall color that will complement the tile backsplash without feeling too beige?

A. Your existing features set you up to do almost any color, as long as the color is repeated in other accents in the room. You can certainly do a warm gray, since you are leaning toward a gray. It doesn't sound like you need to paint the cabinets, so try painting the walls first. See how that feels since the color you choose should first be pleasing to you and not just about trends.

Q. What are the best colors for a bedroom? I mean colors that inspire rest and relaxation.

A. Conventional wisdom has it that the best shades for relaxation in a bedroom are in the blues and greens, or any variation of those two shades. However, if you are not a blue (or green) person, a perfect shade to use that gives a feeling of relaxation is a periwinkle blue. It's the happiest of the blue tones because it has a slightly red base to it, and that is what introduces a bit of energy into the space.

Q. We're trying to pick out exterior stain for a cabin and are wondering if you have thoughts on how to coordinate exterior wall and trim stain colors with interior wood colors. We have lovely amber acacia floors, and there are cherryish wood ceilings and accents inside, but we don't know what stain was used on the interior. Do you have any suggestions on how to pull together the various wood/colors to integrate the exterior look with the interior?

A. There is a huge movement afoot now for using reclaimed wood, and that is creating the trend to mixing various wood tones, so you don't need to be concerned about matchy-matchy anymore. That might take a leap of faith, especially if you are still in a matching frame of mind, but I would not be concerned about trying for integration of the wood tones.

Q. I would like to paint one wall of my living room with a yellow color. I have a beautiful six-foot dried flower spray above one of my living room doors that incorporates brown, orange, black and yellow. What yellow do you recommend?

A. The spray you are describing is mostly warm in tone, so I would go with a very creamy, warm yellow. That is the least obtrusive of the yellows and functions like a neutral tone to all of your other furnishing colors.

Q. How do I make a master bedroom warm and inviting? I have off-white carpeting, Sherwin-Williams's China Doll on the walls and ceiling, an oatmeal-colored padded headboard and bed frame, and a chocolate brown dresser and nightstands. I haven't chosen the bed linens or the drapery.

A. It sounds like you are on the path to warming colors. If that is comforting to you, then go for it. But one thing to bear in mind is that an interior can become too warm, sometimes uncomfortably so (especially in summer), so a bit of coolness should always be injected. I have explained in one of my books, "Colors for Your Every Mood," that there is a need for color balance in any living environment. This does not mean bringing in a great many cool colors when your goal is warmth, but simply a touch of coolness. This is often found in prints and patterns, perhaps in the bed linens, especially a touch of green within the pattern. Remember that Mother Nature often uses green as a neutral color. It provides a cooling background to all other colors in the spectrum.

Q. I am looking for a gender-neutral, sophisticated wall color that will pair well with my beige and cream bedding and my pink euro shams. The room is small for a master bedroom and gets afternoon light. (It's dark in the morning).

A. Although I tend to shy away from too many neutrals as they can get very boring (I am a colorist, after all, so I crave color), you have described your situation and colors well. My best advice is to choose a warm taupe with a slightly rose undertone. This is non-gender-specific, will work well with your other colors and won't darken the room.