Open Your Eyes to Inspiration

To create the right color palette, start by observing objects that mean something to you. It might be a work of art, a souvenir, or a piece of fabric: “Every single thing we put our hands on is a color, and we make decisions based on color whether we’re in tune with that or not,” Ashcraft says. When you’re flipping through magazines or surfing the web, make note of which colors catch your eye -- you may be surprised that a certain unexpected shade keeps jumping out.