ColorTherapy: An Ode to Spring

Spring is here and the weather's been so nice I thought I'd spend some time biking around the city looking for color inspiration. What would you do with the following hodge-podge of information?

I love hydrangeas, but usually buy them blue, and thought this was a striking color. Perhaps a kitchenette or a children’s room would look good painted likewise. Color inspiration: Benjamin Moore Hydrangea Flowers 2008-40.

I found these flowers at the Met: Tulip Wallpaper by William Morris. I didn’t know this, but tulips weren’t introduced to Europe until the 16th century. The word tulip comes from the Turkish word “tulbant,” meaning “turban.”

I love a robin’s-egg blue door, especially on those cedar-shingle houses on long island. Color inspiration: Benjamin Moore Bahaman Sea Blue 2055-40.

This bright orange wall inside Love Shines caught my eye from the street and reminded me of the small shops I’ve seen in Mexico. Call for the new location, they’re moving down the block. Ace Tiger Lily A16-7.

And lastly, my favorite inspiration of all: a young lady walked past my window wearing a bright pink raincoat and carrying a chartreuse umbrella—shades of my Pop-Art Pastels column last month. She disappeared before I could snap a photo, so I offer this sketch instead. Color inspiration: Benjamin Moore Chartreuse 2024-10.

- Mark Chamberlain, interior and decorative painter