“There are so many Benjamin Moore colors I love, but one I come back to time and again is Dark Purple 2073-10. It is a color that reminds me of my mother’s favorite dress when I was a small child, as well as my grandmother cooking dinner—often with ingredients like aubergine and purple onions. It’s a color I lived with daily that holds memories of love, family, and beauty.”

“My favorite Benjamin Moore color is Palmer Green CW-475 because it’s a deep shade of green that has a hint of brown infused, which is a color reminiscent of a lot of the landscapes in Korean minhwa paintings. I’ve utilized this paint color for several projects in the past and it always brings a sense of warm, opulent moodiness that envelops a room.”

“My favorite is Dark Teal 2053-20! It’s a super nostalgic color for me, because in Indian culture we dress very colorfully and teal is a color you see a lot in our outfits, home decor, and even on buildings and temples. We also love a peacock moment, and at my wedding teal was a color I used and wore. It’s just a color I grew up surrounded by, so it feels normal to me and not like a bold choice at all.”

“My favorite Benjamin Moore color (right now) is Morgan Hill Gold 189. I caveat that with ‘right now’ because it’s always changing! But I am super into ochres and golds right now. The color is so rich and can act as a neutral while still being super saturated. It pairs well with florals, as well as animal-print items like a Tibetan tiger rug.”

“My selection for the Benjamin Moore x AAPI-inspired color palette is Velvet Plum CSP-420. I love this color because depending on the context, it can either act as a complementary neutral when paired with a more dynamic color or be a rich yet elegantly understated color on its own. For me, it is reminiscent of the harmonious and mutually supportive nature that is often encouraged in our Asian heritage and communities.”

“My favorite Benjamin Moore color changes all the time, but in honor of AAPI / AANHPI Heritage Month, Antique Jade 465 reminds me of the jade bracelets and pendants that many of our East and Southeast Asian mothers and aunties have worn for generations. I've also just painted a room in our home this color and I love how it pairs with hues of orange-reds and bricky browns—colors that also remind me of my pride in being AAPI.”

“One of my favorite colors has been and continues to be Chantilly Lace OC-65, a versatile classic that looks new and fresh every time. I have used this color for clients in both New Jersey and California, so whether it is Eastern sunrises or Western sunsets, it works everywhere. Perfect for any space, I love how Chantilly Lace reads bright, yet warm, spacious, yet inviting. It is the ‘Goldilocks’ of white paints.”

“One of my favorite Benjamin Moore colors that I loved when I first started out and I would call it my ‘signature color’ is Vermilion 2002-10. It brings so much energy in and completely transforms a space when I use this color. Historically, the brilliant and distinctive red of vermilion has been used extensively across thousands of years of art history, from the art and decoration of ancient China and Rome through to the manuscripts of the Middle Ages and the paintings of the Renaissance.”

“My favorite Benjamin Moore color is Berry Fizz CSP-440. I love this color because it reminds me of the Indian ‘rani pink,' which is more than a color, but an emotion of joy! The legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland once proclaimed, ‘Pink is the navy blue of India!’”

“Yellow Marigold 2155-30. I’ve always gravitated toward mustard-like hues. Not only does it evoke feelings of warmth and comfort but there is a nostalgic tie-in. This hue reminds me of comforting home-cooked meals, or the golden glow of autumn afternoons. Often when I do get a chance, I try to incorporate subtle hints of this color into design. The color can be bold but somewhat of a muted accent if thoughtfully incorporated.”