rom the moment we pick up a crayon, color captivates us. It gives us the power to create, to turn a blank sheet of paper or a bare wall – even our entire home – into an expression of who we are and what we like. Buttery yellow walls make my kitchen a sunny refuge, radiating light on the dreariest of days. I love spending time in the garden. That isn’t always possible, so I give every room a touch of green. Everywhere I look, colors offer a subliminal reminder of my favorite things – a desk painted a creamy café au lait, a lampshade as peachy-pink as the inside of a seashell, a painting that defines infinity as a shimmering expanse of Mediterranean blues. Every color is a touchpoint, appealing to my heart as well as my eye.

Color has a boundless capacity to transform, to make our personal space come alive with paint, fabrics, furnishings and accessories. Inspiration can come from a beautiful rug, a piece of art, the muted haze of a sunrise or the vitality of a single pink orchid. Color opens us up to possibilities, cues us to create rooms that energize us, soothe us, make us feel happy and our friends feel welcome.

Change the color, change the look, so brush up on the basics and give your home a stroke of genius.

• Neutrals can be deep and dramatic or quiet and calming – either way, mix a variety of textures to keep a tonal palette interesting. Go beyond the obvious, with out-of-the-ordinary pales, like oyster or mushroom, or a dark chocolate, nutmeg and rust.
• A bold color shouts, “Look at me!” If you love it, use it… sparingly. A punch of color is a clever way to draw the eye to a feature wall or chimney breast. Or paint the inside back of a bookcase a rich jewel tone, keeping the shelves white to showcase books and artifacts.
• Easygoing pastels offer just a whisper of color. They work best in rooms with a lot of natural light. Mirrors, silver and pearlescent accessories enhance the glow, bouncing light around the room to make a small space seem larger.
• White is an easy quick-change artist, softening or adding contrast to any other color. White diverts black to gray; orange to peach; red to pink. Black and white is striking and arty, while gray and white exudes a cool elegance in a bedroom or other private space.

• Use ordinary items in surprising ways. Instead of bunching orchids in a vase, slip a single salmon-colored branch between two hand towels and pair them with a coral candle to make a lovely countertop display.
• Take curtain panels and pillows from plain to personal with colorful ribbon borders, tassel fringe and iron-on appliqués.
• Make the most of things you already have. A blonde bentwood chair takes on a new energy stained a burnished red. Stack matching floral pillowcases on the seat and it dresses up a hallway or empty wall.
• Revitalize a tired couch with a neutral slipcover that turns it into a flexible backdrop for seasonal accessories. Swap warm colors in the winter for cool colors in the summer and your home will always feel fresh.